Food

Cool, creamy, but with a kick, this delightful summer soup is as lovely to look at as it is to eat—perfect for summer entertaining.

This delicious summer soup is both satisfying and pretty to look at. When served with crisp fruit and nut crackers, it’s a lovely start to a light lunch.

This makes a big batch of mouth-warming good hummus. Use half for the wraps and the remainder for dip with crunchy veggies as a picnic extra.

Picnic like a pro! Grain-based salads won’t wilt, and they taste better the longer they sit.

This is refreshingly bright and tart with a dark berry finish. Add more mint for a piquant flavour. Pack smart and divide among Mason jars with lids. This makes travelling easy and provides an environmentally friendly, no-waste drinking glass too.

A muffaletta is a sub-style sandwich stuffed into a round loaf. Typically it’s loaded with deli meat, but this version takes advantage of fresh summer tomatoes, sweet roasted peppers, marinated artichokes, and loads of kale. The secret to the sandwich is the olive spread: this is the main flavour base so it needs to pack big, bold flavour. For best results, use a mix of black and green olives with a hint of garlic.

This dessert packs a punch! Chickpeas replace flour, making this a gluten-free option. They’re also a flavour carrier—letting the peanut and coconut flavours shine through while keeping the bars moist.

White spuds slathered with a slick of mayo are not very inspiring (or healthy!). Gussied up with sweet potato and black beans lightly coated in a smoky yogurt dressing, this adaptation is sure to become a favourite dish to serve at summer backyard soirees. Be sure to put out a dish of lime wedges for those who want a little more tang.

While a typical restaurant Greek salad has plenty of healthy ingredients (such as romaine lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes), it’s not exactly the most dazzling item you can be served. This modern main-dish riff offers a sumptuous mix of complex textures and bold flavours. We’ve also upped the ante by roasting the tomatoes, which makes them an even sweeter addition to summer salads.

This menu staple is known for its soupy dressing and highly processed croutons. Here, we’ve swapped out romaine lettuce for nutrient-dense kale and elevated the croutons by using high-fibre pumpernickel. But a stellar Caesar really gets its swagger from a great dressing that should always include egg yolk and those sustainable, briny swimmers known as anchovies. Also consider serving with shavings of high quality Parmesan.

Although it may seem like a virtuous menu choice, Cobb salad is often loaded with bacon, blue cheese, and other high-calorie fare. This version keeps the calories under control and adds a twist by packing everything in jars, so you can make portable portions ahead of time. A rule of thumb when packing salads in jars is to place the dressing on the bottom, followed by sturdy items such as tomatoes and avocado. To prevent wilting, delicate foods such as greens should stay on top.

Asian chicken salads have permeated the menus of many family restaurants. While the name is deceptively healthy, generous extras such as fried noodles and sodium-tsunami dressings make these salads less nutritional. This healthier incarnation swaps out ho-hum chicken for buttery salmon served on a bed of perfectly dressed vegetables. You can also prepare the salmon on the grill for added summer flair.

Oats, radicchio, and ever-so-sweet roasted grapes breathe new life into this staid classic salad. Boasting a chewy texture and nutty flavour, oat groats are the whole grain from which other types of oats are made. To lighten things up, a sweet vinaigrette replaces the old-fashioned mayonnaise dressing. This salad holds up well in the refrigerator, making it a great option for healthy work week lunches.

Serves 4

Serves 12

Serves 4

Serves 6

Makes 2 loaves, about 26 slices

Makes 1 loaf, about 20 slices

Makes about 18 buns

Makes 8 paranthas

Makes 10 to 12 servings

Serves 8

Makes 12 muffins