WARM WEATHER DINNER IDEAS
When it comes to summer, balmy evenings and soaring temperatures can throw your menu planning out the window. Here are some simple ideas for relaxed meals on warm days and summery evenings.
Be spontaneous
When the evening is just right, forgoing the table and taking your meal on the lawn just feels magical. Forget a hot meal and throw together a cheese board or snack platter that can be eaten picnic-style on a blanket with minimal fuss.
You can either go all out and shop for all the best ingredients or get creative with whatever is in your fridge. Think cut up fruit, toast and butter, any leftover dips and spreads. It’s less about what you serve and more about the change of pace and quality time.
Go cold
When the temperature soars the last thing you crave is a heavy meal. The alternative is easier than you think. Instead of wracking your brain for what to make, slightly adjust your favourites to work as a cold meal instead. Warm pasta can be allowed to cool for a nourishing and hearty cold pasta salad. Tomato-based pasta works really well cold. Add in chopped fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes and olives and you have a delicious Mediterranean inspired meal in no time. Cold roast chicken can be pulled apart and made into a fresh chicken salad or sandwich.
Summer is always braai time
Whatever your meal plan says, turn it into a braai. Use warm weather as the perfect excuse to enjoy being outside and turn your meal into a braai instead. Chicken fillets cooked on the braai instead of the pan turn something basic into a delicious flame-grilled version. Already have the mince defrosted? Forget spaghetti bolognaise and turn it into burger patties to be cooked on the fire.
