Summer Recipe Inspiration: Cooking with Summer Fruit

Words: Robyn Samuels

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Summer cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. All you need are seasonal fruits and vegetables; they’re better-tasting and the ripe, fresh quality ingredients will make your cooking sing. If you’re in need of summer recipe inspiration, look no further. We have delicious summer recipes using vibrant seasonal fruits to make your summer tastier.

Apples

Apples are available all year round, but they taste that much sweeter when they’re in season, trust us!

Apple, Brussels Sprout & Pumpkin Salad with Yoghurt

When it comes to making salads, almost anything goes. This Brussels sprouts, pumpkin and apple combo is unexpectedly wholesome; the yoghurt dressing takes it to the next level.

Recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprout & Pumpkin Salad with Apple & Mint Yoghurt Dressing

Pork Neck Steak Sliders with Onion Rings & Herby Apple Salsa

Sliders are the ultimate mid-week meal. Pork neck is juicy cut, and you can’t go wrong when you pair it with a herby and refreshing salsa.

Recipe for Pork Neck Steak Sliders with Onion Rings & Herby Apple Salsa

Apple Compote Profiteroles

A teatime treat ideal for any occasion, whether it’s high-tea or a goss session with the gals.

Recipe for Apple Compote Profiteroles with Whipped Cream & Caramel Sauce

Apple Muffins with Macadamia Nut Streusel Topping

The perfect breakfast or sneaky midnight snack. Streusel gives a delicious texture that make these apple muffins undeniably tasty.

Recipe for Apple Muffins with Macadamia Nut Streusel Topping

Cherries

These red beauties are filled with antioxidants and minerals. Besides being super healthy, they’re real pretty to look at and will add a vibrant pop of colour to almost any meal!

Flatbread with Brie, Prosciutto, Rocket & Cherries

A crowd-pleaser that no one can deny! The creamy brie, peppery rocket, salty prosciutto and tart cherry combo is a winner.

Recipe for Flatbread with Brie, Prosciutto, Rocket & Cherries

Cherry Chutney with Oven-roasted Camembert

Meet your new favourite cheese board addition – Cherry Chutney. The perfect balance of flavours to complement almost any cheese.

Recipe for Cherry Chutney with Oven-roasted Camembert

Breakfast Puff Pastry Windmills with Cherry Glaze

Brunch always tastes better with a tasty pastry; these cherry glazed puff pastry windmills should do the trick!

Recipe for Breakfast Puff Pastry Windmills with Cherry Glaze

Cherry Crumble Bars

Add this energy-boosting snack to your lunchbox to beat the afternoon slump.

Recipe for Cherry Crumble Bars

Figs

When it comes to seasonal fruit, figs are the jam! They’re delightfully sweet and pair beautifully with most dishes. Try one of these fig-filled dishes and see for yourself.

Grilled Asparagus, Fig & Goat’s Cheese Salad

One of summer’s pleasures is that you get to unashamedly enjoy lunch with a glass of wine. Serve this light summer salad with a glass of Sauv Blanc, and while the day away.

Recipe for Grilled Asparagus, Fig & Goat’s Cheese Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Cured Beef & Fig Salad

A fig salad served with cured beef that’s the ultimate summer salad.

Recipe for Cured Beef & Fig Salad

Fig, Brie & Prosciutto Tartlets

Summertime is ideal for entertaining. Impress your guests with these fig-filled canapés.

Recipe for Fig, Brie & Prosciutto Tartlets

Cheese Biscuits with Whipped Goat’s Cheese, Figs & Walnuts

These tasty goat’s cheese, fig and walnut canapés will be the talk of any party.

Recipe for Cheese Biscuits with Whipped Goat’s Cheese, Figs & Walnuts

Lemons

From making the perfect salad dressing to adding just the right amount of acidity to dishes, lemons are an integral part of cooking and baking. Don’t be mad when life hands you lemons, try one of these summer recipes!

Creamy Polenta with Fried Eggs & Lemon Herb Sauce

Not quite in the mood for avo toast? This creamy polenta with fried eggs is sure to hit the spot. The lemon sauce completely transforms this dish.

Recipe for Creamy Polenta with Fried Eggs & Lemon Herb Sauce

Lemon Labneh with Roasted Tomatoes, Pine Nuts & Toasted Pita

We love dishes that take the effort out of entertaining. This Lemon Labneh with Roasted Tomatoes is simple to make and ideal for serving a crowd. Sprinkle with pine nuts and scoop up with toasted pita. Yum!

Recipe for Lemon Labneh with Roasted Tomatoes, Pine Nuts & Toasted Pita

Peri Peri Pork Neck Espetadas with Lemon Yoghurt Dipping Sauce

Take your braai-game to the next level with these succulent and spicy espetadas. The lemon yoghurt dip is everything and more!

Recipe for Peri Peri Pork Neck Espetadas with Lemon Yoghurt Dipping Sauce

Charred Tomato & Lemon Cottage Cheese Tartines

Simple, satisfying and seasonal – the makings of any good summer recipe.

Recipe for Charred Tomato & Lemon Cottage Cheese Tartines

Lemon, White Choc & Ricotta Polenta Cake with Caramel Sauce

Lemon is not only great for savoury dishes but also balances sweet flavours.

Recipe for Lemon, White Choc & Ricotta Polenta Cake with Caramel Sauce

No Churn LemonGold Ice Cream

It wouldn’t be a summer recipe round-up if we didn’t include ice cream, now would it? This no-churn recipe is as good as gold.

Recipe for No Churn LemonGold Ice Cream

Love lemons as much as we do? Check out our round-up of lemon recipes.

Limes

Limes are essential in exacting flavours found in Latin American and Asian cuisine. There’s simply no substitute for them.

Vietnamese Soba Noodle Salad with Peanut & Lime Dressing

Vietnamese cuisine is filled with delicious flavours and this cold Soba Noodle Salad is no different. The peanut and lime dressing is a revelation; definitely one of our favourite summer recipes.

Recipe for Vietnamese Soba Noodle Salad with Goat’s Cheese and Peanut & Lime Dressing

Chilli, Honey & Lime Pork Chops with a Lime & Parmesan Herb Salad

Chilli, honey and lime – name a better trio. We love that this summer recipe is braai-friendly.

Recipe for Chilli, Honey & Lime Pork Loin Chops with a Lime & Parmesan Herb Salad

Yoghurt & Lime Tart

This tart might look too good to eat, but once you get one bite, you won’t get enough.

Recipe for Yoghurt & Lime Tart

Chilli & Lime Fruit Skewers

One of the best ways to enjoy summer fruit is with a sprinkle of chilli, a touch of flaky salt and a squeeze of lime juice. Trust us on this one!

Recipe for Chilli & Lime Fruit Skewers

Mangoes

Mangoes are the epitome of summer fruit. They’re sweet, tangy, juicy and a tropical flavour explosion, making it the perfect addition to both savoury and sweet dishes.

Lime, Coconut & Mango Ceviche Tostadas

We’ve never met a ceviche we didn’t like; these lime, coconut and mango ceviche tostadas are love at first bite!

Recipe for Lime, Coconut & Mango Ceviche Tostadas

Sweet & Salty Bacon Canapés

We all know pineapple and bacon pair well, but have you ever tried mango and bacon? The sweet and salty combo is unmatched.

Recipe for Sweet & Salty Bacon Canapés

Vegan Passion Fruit & Coconut Tart with Mango & Mint Salad

The most refreshing tart for your summer recipe collection. What makes us love this summer dessert even more is that it’s one hundred percent vegan!

Recipe for Vegan Passion Fruit & Coconut Tart, Vanilla Coconut Sorbet with Mango & Mint

Tropical Vegan Coconut, Mango & Lemon Ice Cream

Sweet, tangy and zesty – a summer recipe for enjoyment.

Recipe for Tropical Vegan Coconut, Mango & Lemon Ice Cream

Mango Popsicles with Vanilla Frozen Yoghurt

Why choose between popsicles or fro-yo when you could have both, with these whimsical summer treats?

Recipe for Mango Popsicles with Vanilla Frozen Yoghurt

Mango & Coconut Daiquiri

Move over strawberry daiquiri, mango and coconut is the flavour of the season.

Recipe for Mango & Coconut Daiquiri

Plums

Plums are an incredibly versatile ingredient; they pack a bunch of nutrients, are reportedly great for managing blood sugar levels, as well as anxiety.

Indonesian Short Ribs with Plums

Star anise, clove and sticky plums come together beautifully in this sweet and sour Indonesian Short Rib dish. You’re guaranteed to lick the bones clean.

Recipe for Indonesian Short Ribs with Plums

Baked Plums with Spiced Ginger Crumble

These baked plums with spiced ginger crumble are a tasty and fun take on your regular crumble tart.

Recipe for Baked Plums with Spiced Ginger Crumble

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are the undisputed jewel of fruits. They make a fantastic addition to salads, or delicious as is – the only problem is that you can never get enough of them, can you?

Roasted Root Vegetables & Pomegranate Salad

Summer is meant for bright, vibrant salads and this toasted root veg salad is that and then some. The pomegranates add texture, tartness and a pop of colour to your plate.

Recipe for Roasted Root Vegetables & Pomegranate Salad

Baked Aubergines with Meat-free Mince & Pomegranates

One of our favourite vegan recipes; it’s honestly good during summer or any time of year.

Recipe for Baked Aubergines with Meat-free Mince & Pomegranates

Pineapple

Tangy, zingy, tastes great with pork; you can snack on it, juice it, grill it and so much more. Have we mentioned that we love pineapple?

Chicken & Pineapple Kebabs with Honey-Soy Marinade

The balance of sweet, salty and acid makes this summer dish a delight to eat.

Recipe for Chicken & Pineapple Kebabs with Honey-Soy Marinade

Pineapple BBQ Spare Ribs

You’ll be lucky if you have any leftovers; these spare ribs are the ultimate braai dish.

Recipe for Pineapple BBQ Spare Ribs

Pineapple & Grapefruit Mojito

This summer cocktail recipe is the ultimate refresher!

Recipe for Pineapple & Grapefruit Mojito

Pineapple Tarte Tatin with Rum Caramel

Zingy pineapple, spiced rum and buttery caramel – can you imagine a more delicious tarte?

Recipe for Pineapple Tarte Tatin with Rum Caramel

Strawberries

The only thing better than picking strawberries is enjoying them in these recipes.

Strawberry, Melon & Parma Ham Salad with Risoni Pasta

Strawberry, Melon and Parma ham – imagine a better pairing.

Recipe for Strawberry, Melon & Parma Ham Salad with Risoni Pasta

Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Sandwiches

Child or adult, it’s virtually impossible to pass up on these delightful treats. The strawberry shortcake and vanilla ice cream combo is a summer classic.

Recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Sandwiches