1. Grilled Asparagus with Sweet and Spicy Pancetta Dressing
According to etiquette, asparagus is the only cooked vegetable that can be eaten with your fingers. That works well here, since it’s exactly what we’re doing with this seasonal veggie. Start with cooking the pancetta and then mix the cooking fat with garlic, pepper, honey and lemon juice. Coat the asparagus with this syrupy and spicy dressing and then garnish with crushed pancetta. Serve at happy hour while it’s still hot.
Vegetables and gratinees
Grilled Asparagus with Sweet and Spicy Pancetta Dressing
2. Chili-Pickled Shrimp
With their tangy dressing, taste bursting with spice and high levels of fun, these shrimp will win hearts. Poach and then marinate them in a mix of vinegar, sugar and salt, as well as mini bell peppers and jalapeños for added bite. They’re ready just as quickly as the first round of cocktails.
Appetizers
Chili-Pickled Shrimp
3. Lamb and Yogurt Dip with Spicy Tomato Butter
Like any Middle Eastern mezze, you can share this dip as an appetizer or enjoy it as a meal in a small group. It’s made with a thick yogurt to which crisp and caramelized ground lamb is added. Then drizzle on some warm butter flavoured with cumin, tomato and harissa. Garnish with green olives and mint, and then get your pita bread ready to dig in.
Dips and salty spreads
Lamb and Yogurt Dip with Spicy Tomato Butter
4. Grilled Pork Chops with Potatoes and Grapefruit
Pork, potatoes, grapefruit; this is the trio you’ll want all summer long. This recipe speaks to the simplicity of grilling, with pork chops coated in a salt, garlic and pepper dry rub that marinates quickly. Grapefruit is the surprise ingredient here and fits perfectly. Serve with potatoes in a foil packet on the side.
Summer Cooking
Confit Cherry Tomato Pasta with Gremolata
5. Confit Cherry Tomato Pasta with Gremolata
This spaghetti recipe is sure to become a summer staple. Instead of slowly simmering the sauce to coat the pasta, cook whole cherry tomatoes with garlic, tomato paste and a bit of hot pepper in a foil packet on the grill. Then toss the pasta with the confit tomatoes and their juices. For an added wow factor, prepare a fresh and crunchy gremolata with parsley and pumpkin seeds that hold up well against the heat of the dish.
Cuisine d'été
Pâtes aux tomates cerises confites, gremolata
6. Grilled Flap Steak with Crunchy Green Salad and Creamy Feta Dressing
Grilled meat and salad are the classic pair to enjoy at the end of a sunny day. In this salad, opt for a topping made with various seeds and nutritional yeast for a touch of umami. Grab some romaine lettuce and drizzle it with a creamy dressing made from sour cream and whipped feta cheese. Serve with a simple garlic-mustard steak grilled to perfection for a satisfying meal.
7. Eton Mess with Roasted Strawberries
Go all out for your guests with this dessert at the centre of the table. Even though its appearance looks imposing, it’s actually easy to make. Simply roast some strawberries in the oven and collect their cooking juices, which have been transformed into a strawberry syrup. Mix the cooked fruit with whipped cream, and layer with store-bought meringues, pistachios and fresh strawberries. It’s a great way to enjoy the first berries of the season.
Cream desserts, mousse and meringues
Eton Mess with Roasted Strawberries
8. Sugar-Glazed Rhubarb Cake
Among the first garden crops when the warm weather hits is rhubarb. With its tart flavour that goes well with desserts, let this simple cake bake while you enjoy dinner. Add cardamom and lemon to the dough, which add a subtle fragrance to create a wonderful harmony of flavours, and sprinkle a bit of sugar and water before baking it in the oven. As it bakes, the surface will crystallize and then be ready for an accompanying scoop of ice cream.
For more summer meal ideas, be sure to consult our wide selection of recipes: