Quick and easy recipes to make when it’s too hot to cook! From light lunches, to no cook dinners and refreshing desserts to keep you cool in summer.
We’re in the middle of a heatwave here in the UK and even the thought of cooking is making me feel unbearably warm! If you’re anything like me, you’ll be looking for easy, light meals that don’t need require much time in the kitchen, lunches & dinners that can be prepared ahead of time then served from the fridge and refreshing desserts to keep you cool.
As it’s not ideal to eat just salad for every meal, I’ve also included dishes that can be cooked in the evening or early morning when it’s cooler then served during the day when it’s hot. Plus some really good homemade ice creams and creamy desserts like panna cottas, possets & chocolate mousse. And a variety of side dishes to serve alongside grilled meats, if you feel like firing up the barbecue.
Light salads and sandwiches that are quick & easy to make but hearty enough to serve as a main meal. There’s little to no cooking involved here, so you won’t have to spend long in the kitchen.
Tomato, Peach & Crispy Prosciutto Salad
Here’s a vibrant tomato & peach salad that’s full of fresh fruit, veg & herbs and topped with torn mozzarella & crispy prosciutto. It’s super easy to make & full of flavour.
This homemade focaccia sandwich is filled with 3 types of meat, basil pesto, creamy burrata, sliced tomato & crunchy salted crisps. It’s simple but super tasty!
We’ve taken a classic New York style everything bagel & turned it into a hearty salad! There’s bagel croutons, a schmear of cream cheese, fresh veg & a soft boiled egg.
These recipes are perfect for making in the evening or early morning, when the weather’s not as hot. You can prepare them ahead of time then serve during the day, when it’s too hot to cook!
Honey Roast Ham & Swiss Cheese Quiche
The ultimate ham and cheese quiche! There’s crisp, flaky pastry, a creamy mustard & creme fraiche custard and plenty of honey roast ham and Swiss cheese.
This puff pastry tomato tart is inspired by a New York style everything bagel! There’s a seasoned puff pastry base, a garlic & herb cream cheese schmear, slices of heirloom tomatoes & a drizzle of olive oil.
These lamb, halloumi & rose harissa sausage rolls are crisp & flaky, packed full of flavour & have the perfect amount of spice. They’re a great lunchtime snack.
These homemade side dishes are perfect for summer meals and go great with grilled meats, barbecue and sandwiches. They’re quick to make and full of flavour.
Sour Cream & Chive New Potato Salad
Our sour cream & chive new potato salad is the perfect summer side dish! Here, tender new potatoes are coated in a creamy sour cream dressing that’s flavoured with chives, mustard & a squeeze of lemon juice.
A fresh & vibrant Asian style cucumber slaw that’s dressed with a zingy sesame mayo that has a slight hit of chilli thanks to the spoonful of gochujang that has been added in.
Easy make-ahead desserts that are sure to keep you cool. We’ve got easy homemade ice creams, creamy panna cottas & possets and fluffy chocolate mousse. Plus loads more, in our dessert recipe collection.
Coffee Stracciatella Ice Cream
This coffee stracciatella ice cream is smooth, creamy & full of dark chocolate shards. Infused with whole coffee beans for extra flavour!
Here’s a take on a classic vanilla panna cotta that’s scooped with a spoon to serve. This is something that’s popular in restaurants at the moment & it still has that perfect wobble!
Raspberry ripple stracciatella is a next level ice cream flavour! Super creamy, packed full of dark chocolate shards & rippled with a punchy raspberry sauce.
