Best summer recipes

NOW that it’s summer we would be crazy not to embrace the abundance of delicious seasonal produce available to us.

NOW that it’s summer we would be crazy not to embrace the abundance of delicious seasonal produce available to us.

I don’t claim a particular style of cooking, but I do like to eat interesting and imaginative food that can be prepared easily from seasonal ingredients.

Our bodies want different foods at different times of the year, and nature supplies us with the perfect, ripest ingredients at just the right time.

And it’s the use of seasonal ingredients that forms the basis of these recipes. Use this hotchpotch of ideas as a springboard for your own variations. Many of the dishes work well as starters, light lunches or mains; don’t be a slave to the ritual of entree, main course and dessert.

These recipes are great as an entree or part of a selection for a main course. They are colourful and simple and easy to make ahead of time. Serve with grilled pita or flat bread.

Summer is the time to spend fewer hours in the kitchen and survive the busy weeknight dinner ritual with a number of easy dishes that need only a quick trip to the supermarket and a few store cupboard goodies.

MARINADES are an easy way to boost flavour when grilling or barbecuing. Marinating food also helps you to prepare for fast cooking. Make your own flavour combinations by adjusting the herbs, garlic or chilli to suit your tastes.