Our favourite summer recipes

Summer food you crave

You may find that the summer heat has you craving more lightweight and refreshing meals, such as summer salads, but this doesn't mean that summer food can't be packed with flavour. These summer recipes range from the sweet and spicy to the sharp and zingy, with meat-eater, vegan, and vegetarian meal options.

Of course, summer food classics such as fish and chips, hearty barbecues, and ice creams have their fair share of fat, salt, and sugar content. It's a good idea to enjoy these treats in moderation and to keep these healthy and light summer recipes up your sleeve.

Epic summer salad

Vegetarian

This quick and easy crunchy salad is packed with nutritious ingredients like black beans, avocado, mango, tomato, and feta. This salad makes a great side dish to summer weeknight dinners, picnics, and barbecues. Tomatoes, avocados and mangoes supply loads of vitamins including vitamin A, B6, C, E and K, while black beans are high protein and high fibre. Feta adds a delicious twist while providing calcium and healthy essential fats.

Get the recipe here

BBQ Jackfruit "pulled pork"

Vegan

Who says vegan barbecue food is boring? Jackfruits, onions, and vegan barbecue sauce can be used to create a plant-based alternative to the classic pulled pork burger that's just as tangy and tasty. As well as being great at mimicking pork, jackfruit contains vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium. This indulgent summer recipe can be enjoyed occasionally and goes well with potato salad and green salads.

Get the recipe here

Citrus-roasted salmon

Pescatarian

One of the simplest summer dinner ideas, this salmon recipe is big on flavour and takes just 40 minutes from start to finish. Salmon is a great source of protein and also contains omega-3 fatty acids which support a healthy heart. Feel free to pair with your favourite summer salad recipe or vegetable stir fry for a light and vitamin-packed dinner.

Get the recipe here

Baby stuffed peppers with lemon and oregano ricotta

Vegetarian

This deliciously moreish barbecue side dish is a real crowd pleaser. Roasted pepper skins are sweet, smoky, and high in vitamin C, vitamin B9, and antioxidants. While this creamy cheese-filled summer recipe is certainly indulgent, ricotta is a low-fat cheese. Feel free to substitute for goat's cheese, another good source of protein and healthy fats. This is a great side for all your barbecue favourites, from grilled chicken to burgers.

Get the recipe here

Raw lemon and pistachio cheesecake

Vegan

Equally zingy and creamy, this vegan cheesecake makes a refreshing and mouth-watering summer dessert. Like all desserts, this cheesecake should be an occasional treat, but it does have some added health benefits. It's free from refined sugar, and most of the fat content comes from the almonds, cashews and pistachios, which are packed full of healthy fats and other nutrients. Lemons and dates are the real flavour heroes of this dish while supplying vitamin C, fibre, iron, and calcium.

Get the recipe here

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by Victoria Raw

Simple ways to follow a Mediterranean diet

A Mediterranean diet conjures up an image of fresh fish and colourful salads doused in olive oil, washed down with a glass of red wine - all while sitting in the sun of course. While we may not have reliable sunshine in the UK, we can certainly tap into the wide-ranging health benefits offered by the Mediterranean diet.

by Lydia Smith