Summer recipes

Savoury

Mango and Lime Chicken Salad

This is a delicious fresh, fragrant recipe, which is a light alternative to the classic Coronation chicken salad. It is low-fat and there's no cooking required. Perfect for an al fresco family lunch, picnic or party occasion. Just serve with some watercress and crusty bread.
Serrano Ham Salad with Melon, Peach and Roasted Almonds

A wonderful salad combining the stunning Spanish Serrano ham, with sweet juicy peaches (or try with Parma ham and nectarines) and melon and crunchy almonds. Ideal for a starter or main course lunch in the garden. Just serve with some seeded bread.
Griddled Lamb with Minted Pea Salad

A taste of summer on a plate, with sweet juicy lamb fillets perfectly cooked on the barbecue served with a vibrant mix of fresh peas, cucumber, mint and salty feta. Add some toasted pitta breads for a complete meal that needs virtually no preparation.
Hot Smoked Trout and Asparagus Frittata

Frittatas are Italian-style omelettes and are always popular. This one is cooked in the oven for ease and uses hot smoked trout which is packed with flavour; together with asparagus and fresh tarragon it's a super summer supper!
Broad Bean and Pea Risotto with Dolcelatte

A vegetarian alternative here using seasonal beans and peas and flavoured with garlic and fresh thyme. It's simple to make and the creamy dolcelatte, which is added as you serve the risotto, gives a great salty kick to the flavours.
Griddled Asparagus

Early summer sees the arrival of English asparagus, which cannot be beaten for flavour and versatility. Asparagus is simple to cook and this recipe gives plenty of options - from griddling to barbecuing - just pick the method that suits you.
Home-made Mini Burgers in Pitta Pockets

Children will love these burgers, which are studded with colourful chopped peppers and salad onions. Pop them into picnic-sized pittas and serve with a few salad leaves and some ketchup for a complete meal. Perfect for little fingers!

Sweet

The Ultimate Strawberry Tart

This is a real summer treat. A delicious tart filled with lemon-scented custard, with sweet summer strawberries and finished with some white chocolate shapes. It can be prepared the day before serving then assembled just before eating. If time is short, buy a ready-cooked pastry case.
Lemon Curd Ice Cream Drizzled with Honey

If you love ice cream but don't have an ice cream maker then this is for you! No cooking required it blends double cream, with honey and lemon curd for an irresistible summer freezer standby. Serve either in cones or with some meringue shells for an instant dessert.
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Berry Compote

Panna cotta has is origins in the Northern Italian region of Piedmont. Essentially a cream-based dessert set with gelatine, its served in this recipe with a ready-made fruit compote, but is equally delicious with a caramel or chocolate sauce. It can be made up to 24 hours in advance if kept chilled.
Baked Raspberry Cheesecake

This is cheesecake with a difference! Sweet raspberries are dotted through the creamy vanilla flavoured cheese topping with a heavenly chocolate cookie base; it's best made the day before then served perfectly chilled. As it serves eight it's ideal for easy entertaining.
Chocolate Pecan Brownies

Chocolate brownies are a brilliant standby to have in the cake tin either to serve with tea or coffee or as an instant dessert served with some vanilla or coffee ice cream, or simply with some fresh raspberries. This recipe gives the perfect dense gooey texture you would expect and they will store in an airtight tin for up to 2 weeks.
Summer Pudding

Summer pudding is a classic English dessert using berries picked in the height of the British season. It's perfect for easy entertaining because it is at its best when it is made the day before it is needed.