Our top 10 quick summer recipe ideas…ready in 30 minutes!

The sun is shining and the nation is happy… We all feel so much brighter when it’s warm and sunny, and here at Eat Marketing, we can’t think of a better way to enjoy the sun than by eating a delicious meal al fresco… We love our food, and with this in mind, we’ve put together a tempting and tasty list of our favourite quick summer recipes – all easily put together in 30 minutes or less so that you have even more time to enjoy the sunshine!

1. Porky, Figgy Kebabs

Savoury and sweet meet for a tasty treat

• Pork chops – 2lb and boneless
• 1-tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Chopped, fresh thyme – about 2 teaspoons
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• 8 fresh figs – halved lengthwise

Toss the pork in the oil and then add the thyme and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use eight 12 inch skewers and thread 6 cubes of pork and 2 fig halves on each one. Grill over a medium heat. You can also substitute the pork for halloumi for a veggie version.

2. Cheesy ‘n Spicy Corn

Spice up your corn

• 4 ears corn (with husks peeled back and silk discarded)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• ¼-cup parmesan cheese
• 1-teaspoon paprika
• Dash of salt
• 1 or 2 limes cut into wedges

Throw your corn on the BBQ – char grill for about 12 minutes. When they are cooked, brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with the parmesan, paprika and salt to taste. Serve with the fresh lime wedges.

3. Courgette Canoes

Fun to look at, tasty to eat!

• 2 courgettes, halved lengthwise
• 1 aubergine, chopped into cubes
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped into cubes
• 2 cloves of grated garlic
• 1 or 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Pinch of salt and pepper
• Small handful of shredded mozzarella cheese for each ‘canoe’

Scoop the flesh from the centre of the courgettes and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over a medium heat and add the onion – cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cook for a further minute.

Add the rest of the oil, the chopped aubergine, and the flesh of the courgettes. Cover and cook for another 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for a further 5 minutes; you should see the mixture thicken. Finally, stir in the parsley, add salt, and pepper to taste.

Fill your courgette canoes with the mixture, sprinkle with a little mozzarella and grill until the cheese begins to bubble and melt.

4. Sweet ‘n Salty Skewers

Try this unusual combination of watermelon and prosciutto for a refreshing summer treat

• 5 pounds of seedless watermelon – peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
• ½ pound prosciutto, torn in half, lengthwise
• Balsamic glaze for drizzle

Use 6-inch skewers and thread 3 pieces watermelon with ½-slice prosciutto between each piece. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar just before serving.

5. Paprika Prawns

Prawns with added kick!

• Packet of prawns
• 1-tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic – sliced
• 1-teaspoon cumin
• 1-teaspoon paprika
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Warm your oil in a pan with the garlic. When the garlic begins to colour, add the cumin and paprika for 1 minute. Finally, add your prawns and season with the salt and pepper. Cook thoroughly and garnish with parsley when ready to serve.

6. Scallops ‘n Lime

Zesty scallops for a sunny day

• 1-tablespoon olive oil
• 8 raw scallops – each cut into four horizontal slices
• Juice of 1 or 2 limes
• 1 or 2 crushed chillies
• Pinch of salt

Sprinkle the scallops with the lime juice, salt and crushed chillies. Heat the olive oil in a non-stick pan over a medium heat, place the seasoned scallops sliced side down, and cook until golden brown (this usually takes 1 or 2 minutes). Serve with additional lime wedges.

7. Mackerel Salad

Our top ten list wouldn’t be complete without a healthy summer salad…

• Mackerel fillets – torn into pieces
• Lettuce
• Green beans
• New potatoes
• Olive oil
• Dijon mustard

Cook the new potatoes until tender. Steam the green beans until cooked, but with a slight bite. Set both aside to cool and then add to the mackerel and lettuce. Dress your salad with olive oil and a dash of Dijon mustard.

8. Boozy Strawberries

Dessert for the grown ups – feel free to add more booze…

• 1-cup blush wine
• ½-cup sugar
• 1 ounce Cognac
• 1 pound strawberries, quartered

Combine the wine, sugar and cognac. Stir in strawberries and refrigerate until cold (for at least 20 minutes, but even longer if possible). Serve over your favourite ice cream or sorbet.

9. Sparkling Summer Jellies

Jellies with added fizz!

• 135g packet raspberry jelly – cubed
• 475ml of either Champagne or Prosecco
• 200g summer fruits of your choice – strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants or blackberries (choose either one or a mixture). Hull and halve where necessary
• 142 ml carton single cream
• Fresh mint leaves (to decorate)

Make the jelly according to the packet instructions. Allow to cool slightly before stirring in the Champagne or Prosecco.

Divide your fruit between six 150 ml glasses. Pour a little of the jelly mixture between each glass so that the fruit is just covered (you will have some jelly left for the next ‘pour and chill’ stage). Cover the glasses and chill until the surface is just set so that the fruit is kept in place and doesn’t rise to the surface.

Top the glasses with the remaining jelly – cover and chill again until fully set.

When ready to serve, pour a thin layer of cream onto each jelly and decorate with a couple of mint leaves.

These jellies can be made up to two days ahead, but don’t pour the cream on until you are just ready to serve!

10. ‘Throw it all in’ Rhubarb Mess

No need to measure your ingredients – throw it all in for a delightful rhubarb mess!

• Caster sugar
• Fresh rhubarb – washed and cut into 2 cm thick slices
• Orange juice
• 1 carton of cream
• 1 small jug of cold custard (ready or freshly made)
• Flaked chocolate

Preheat your oven to 180C/gas mark 4.

Sprinkle an ovenproof dish with caster sugar and cover the base with the slices of rhubarb. Douse the rhubarb with the orange juice and bake for 10 minutes. Cool and set aside. Beat a tub of cream until just whipped. Break up a packet of meringues into the cream. Add a dash of cold custard and fold together. Pile high in dessert dishes and sprinkle with flaked chocolate.

We hope you like our quick summer recipes – why not try them over the summer and dazzle your friends too? Enjoy the sun and remember to slap on the sunscreen!