Summer Recipe Inspiration: Cooking with Seasonal Veggies
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 cooking inspiration, stock up on these seasonal veggies and try these standout summer recipes.
Asparagus
Whether you want to make a dish look fancy or need to bulk up salads with a flavour and texture, asparagus is the way to go. Fibre-rich and high in vitamins A, C, K and folate, these asparagus-loaded summer recipes are absolutely worth making.
Grilled Asparagus, Fig & Goat Cheese Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
This summer salad is the perfect celebration of seasonal ingredients; the citrus vinaigrette brings them to life. Enjoy with a glass or two of Sauvignon Blanc and savour every bite.
Recipe for Grilled Asparagus, Fig & Goat Cheese Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
Lemon & Rocket Pesto Tartines with Avo & Asparagus
As much as we love a bready sandwich, they can be a bit heavy in summer. These tartines are light, healthy and filled with fresh greens.
Recipe for Lemon & Rocket Pesto Tartines with Avo & Asparagus
Puff Pastry Smoked Salmon Tart with Grilled Asparagus
Flaky puff pastry topped with a layer of creamy cottage cheese, delicate smoked salmon and charred asparagus – perfect for tucking into at summer social gatherings.
Recipe for Puff Pastry Smoked Salmon Tart with Grilled Asparagus
Spring Onion, Pea & Asparagus Salad with Jalapeño Vinaigrette
Asparagus is the ideal flavour canvas – simply dress it up with a drizzle of olive oil and a citrusy, spicy vinaigrette. It’s the ultimate side for almost any protein.
Recipe for Chargrilled Spring Onion, Pea & Asparagus Salad with Jalapeño Vinaigrette
Aubergine
Whether you call it aubergine, eggplant or brinjal, this veggie is incredibly delicious, versatile and has loads of health benefits. Aubergine is high in fibre and antioxidants – specifically, nasunin, the pigment that gives aubergines that gorgeous purple colour. They also help manage blood sugar and cholesterol levels, while protecting cells against damage. Try these summer recipes to reap the benefits of aubergine.
Aubergine, Tomato & Pumpkin Breakfast Hash
You can’t go wrong with this aubergine, tomato and pumpkin combo. Top it off with some scrambled, fried or perfectly poached eggs and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Recipe for Aubergine, Tomato & Pumpkin Breakfast Hash
Low-carb Crispy Aubergine Breakfast Stack
A low-carb brekkie that’s stacked with flavour, texture and healthy ingredients. One of our favourite summer recipes.
Recipe for Low-carb Crispy Aubergine Breakfast Stack with Smashed Avo & Poached Egg
Miso Glazed Aubergines with Vegan Miso Mayo
Vegan or not, you have to admit that sounds delicious. Best of all, it’s simple to make and delivers big, bold flavours.
Recipe for Miso Glazed Aubergines with Vegan Miso Mayo
Butternut & Aubergine Spaghetti
There’s nothing aubergine can’t do. This veggie pasta dish is not only paleo-friendly, but pretty darn delicious too.
Recipe for Butternut & Aubergine Spaghetti
Beetroot
Bright and beautiful, beetroot is perfect for adding earthiness and natural sweetness to juices, dishes, salads and more. They’re not only delicious, but also high in vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese and iron. These summer recipes prove why we love beetroot.
Open Sandwich with Goat’s Cheese, Beetroot & Poached Egg
Beetroot probably wouldn’t be your first choice when it comes to sandwich toppings, but once you try it, there’s no going back.
Recipe for Open Sandwich with Goat’s Cheese, Beetroot & Poached Egg
Beetroot Falafel on Flatbread with Guacamole
Savour these irresistible beetroot falafel served on toasted flatbread with creamy guacamole, pickled onions, and tahini drizzle – completely vegan-friendly and perfect for midweek dinners.
Recipe for Beetroot Falafel on Flatbread with Guacamole
Succulent Lamb Noisette with Rocket, Beetroot & Citrus Salad
Beetroot is the ideal addition to this peppery rocket and zesty salad; it also pairs beautifully with this super succulent lamb noisette.
Recipe for Succulent Lamb Noisette with Rocket, Beetroot & Citrus Salad
Beetroot Cake with Meringue Frosting
Why use red food colouring when you can use beet juice? The addition of beet juice makes this cake perfectly moist, while the earthy flavour balances the sweetness of the meringue.
Recipe for Beetroot Cake with Meringue Frosting
Cucumber
Cucumbers are super hydrating and a refreshing addition to salads, dips and summer meals. They’re low in calories, and high in antioxidants and potassium – they even aid digestion and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Cucumber Ribbon Salad with Caramelised Feta
Refreshing cucumber ribbons and salty, caramelised feta topped with a herby and zesty green dressing – this might just be the ultimate summer recipe.
Recipe for Cucumber Ribbon Salad with Caramelised Feta
Spinach & Snoek Paté with Cucumber
Dips are a great way to infuse fresh flavours, we’ve amped up a snoek paté with two of our fave seasonal veggies, spinach and cucumber. Enjoy with celery, carrots, rice cakes or on melba toast. Yum!
Recipe for Spinach & Snoek Paté with Cucumber
Aloo Chaat with Vegan Schnitzels and Cucumber & Mint Raita
Cucumber is perfect for making condiments. This raita works well as a cooling element for this spice-forward dish.
Recipe for Aloo Chaat with Vegan Schnitzels & Cucumber & Mint Raita
Cucumber & Dill Summer Salad
The best thing about summer cooking is that you don’t have to do much. Enjoy raw veggies and dress them up with this tasty salad recipe.
Recipe for Cucumber & Dill Summer Salad
Courgettes
Courgette, zucchini or baby marrow – they might have a different name depending on where you’re from, but they’re universally delicious. High in vitamin C and folate, courgettes are great for improving fatigue and regulating blood pressure. Have your pick of these versatile, tasty and nutritious summer recipes.
Zucchini & Ricotta Lasagne
We all love lasagne, but have you tried this zucchini and ricotta lasagne? All the flavours are beautifully balanced, and it’s Banting-friendly.
Recipe for Zucchini & Ricotta Lasagne
Vegan Courgette Frittata
The beauty of frittata is that you can make it your own and add your favourite veggies like courgette – we can’t get enough of this summer recipe.
Recipe for Vegan Courgette Frittata
Courgette Cake with Lemon Mascarpone Icing
Courgette is another versatile summer veg. It’s a surprisingly good addition to bakes, like this fluffy courgette cake with smooth lemon mascarpone frosting.
Recipe for Courgette Cake with Lemon Mascarpone Icing
Courgette Cupcakes with Avocado Cream Cheese
Savoury cupcakes can be just as delish as sweet ones; these courgette cupcakes topped with buttery avo cream cheese show you how it’s done.
Recipe for Courgette Cupcakes with Avocado Cream Cheese
Mielies
There are a million and one ways to enjoy corn and reasons to eat it. This ancient vegetable is loaded with vitamin C and is great for promoting eye and heart health due to the carotenoids – pigments mostly found in bright yellow, orange and red fruits, vegetables and flowers. These summer recipes remind us why we love corn.
Elotes Mexican-style Grilled Corn
These Elotes are guaranteed to be the highlight at your next braai. Simple to make, and loaded with smoky goodness – who doesn’t love good ol’ corn on a cob?
Recipe for Elotes Mexican-style Grilled Corn
Chilled Guacamole Soup with Roasted Vine Tomatoes, Corn & Feta
Roasted tomatoes, corn and spicy guacamole – all your fave summer flavours in one bowl.
Recipe for Chilled Guacamole Soup with Roasted Vine Tomatoes, Corn & Feta
Corn Riblets with Smoky Mayo
The ultimate braai side dish or starter – just be sure to make enough, guests will be going back for seconds or thirds.
Recipe for Corn Riblets with Smoky Mayo
Chipotle Chicken on Herbed Quinoa with Charred Corn, Avo & Feta
Spicy chipotle chicken on a bed of refreshing, herby quinoa with charred sweet corn and salty feta – perfect for outdoor summer lunching.
Recipe for Chipotle Chicken on Herbed Quinoa with Charred Corn, Avocado & Feta
Mushroom
Mushrooms will always be a favourite, these summer recipes prove why. From portobello to shimeji and white button, mushrooms are umami-rich and the perfect substitute if you want something meaty without actual meat.
Balsamic Marinated Steak & Mushrooms Kebabs
Keep everyone happy at the braai. Make a balsamic marinade, serve steak for meat-eaters and mushroom kebabs for vegetarians – simple and delicious.
Recipe for Balsamic Marinated Steak & Mushrooms Kebabs
Vegan BBQ Tofu Bao, Guacamole, Mushrooms & Pickled Onion
A fusion bao loaded with the goodness of mushrooms, guac and pickled onion. Yum!
Recipe for Vegan BBQ Tofu Bao, Guacamole, Mushrooms & Pickled Onion
Vegan Mushroom Taquitos
Crispy taquitos filled with meaty mushrooms – a textural delight.
Recipe for Vegan Mushroom Taquitos
Marinated Wild Mushroom Pasta with Walnut Crumble
You’ll love this nutty and umami-packed pasta, it’s utterly delicious.
Recipe for Marinated Wild Mushroom Pasta with Walnut Crumble
Check out our guide to edible mushrooms and learn how to cook them.
Spinach
Of all the leafy greens, spinach is a definitely winner and so easy to incorporate into most dishes. These dark green are a great source of protein, iron, vitamins and minerals.
Spinach, Ricotta & Tomato-stuffed Chicken with Parmesan Crust
A tasty and healthy midweek summer recipe that even the kids will love.
Recipe for Spinach, Ricotta & Tomato-stuffed Chicken Breasts with Parmesan Crust
Spinach, Baby Gem & Herb Salad with Dates & Cashew Nuts
All the greens you could ask for, with a sprinkle of dates and toasted cashews – you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this one.
Recipe for Spinach, Baby Gem & Herb Salad with Dates & Cashew Nuts
Spring Salmon & Spinach Poke Bowl
Poke bowls are ideal if you’re looking for something filling yet healthy. We’ve added spinach to our rice, which adds plenty of flavour and nutrients. The wholesome addition of salmon makes this the perfect summer dish.
Recipe for Spring Salmon & Spinach Poke Bowl
Tarte Flambeé with Spinach, Potato & Smoked Mozzarella
Serve friends and family this tarte flambeé, and watch it disappear in seconds.
Recipe for Tarte Flambeé with Spinach, Potato & Smoked Mozzarella
Breakfast Tartlets
These protein-packed breakfast tarts are so simple to make and great for serving individual breakfast portions.
Spinach, Lamb & Feta Gözleme
Nothing goes together better than spinach and feta in a gözleme. This Turkish treat is perfect if you have some leftover dough – it’s even worth making dough from scratch.
Recipe for Spinach, Lamb & Feta Gözleme
For more seasonal cooking inspiration, use our Seasonal Fruit & Veg Chart
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