Cold lunch ideas for warm days are such a lifesaver when you want something fresh, simple, and quick to prepare. They're perfect for packed lunches, picnics, garden snacks, or easy meals you can prep in advance and keep chilled. Think salads, pastries, stuffed vegetables, and light mezze dishes are great choices when hot meals feel a bit too much to handle.
Cheese Borek
Cheese Borek (Peynirli Borek in Turkish) is a crispy, light, and delicious Turkish filo pie filled with tangy cheeses and aromatic herbs. It is often served as a breakfast or brunch dish, but they are also great for packed lunches and picnics.
To learn more: Cheese Borek - Peynirli Borek
Healthy Pasta Salad - No Mayo
Turkish Makarna Salatası is a healthy, creamy and colorful pasta salad made with pasta, yogurt, mayo, fresh vegetables, and herbs. It is a favorite at family gatherings, picnics, and tea time in Turkey. Easy to make and always delicious.
To learn more: Makarna Salatasi - Healthy Turkish Pasta Salad
Cig Kofte
My Çiğ Köfte is a simple, vegetarian version of the classic Turkish street food made with fine bulgur, rich tomato and pepper paste, warm spices, and a touch of pomegranate molasses. It is a great option for a light lunch, a side dish, or even a snack.
To learn more: Çiğ Köfte
Barbunya Pilaki
Barbunya Pilaki (Turkish Style Borlotti Beans) is a classic Turkish dish braised in olive oil with onions, garlic, and tomato (paste).
This delicious vegan dish is perfect to serve as a light lunch, a part of a mezze spread, or a side dish to grilled and roasted meat, fish, and vegetables.
To learn more: Barbunya (Turkish Style Borlotti Beans)
Ratatouille
This traditional French Ratatouille dish is a delightful marriage of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, infused with aromatic herbs and a hint of garlic.
You can enjoy it as a side dish alongside grilled chicken or meat, especially lamb, or as a vegetarian or vegan main course served over plain rice, couscous, or simply mixed with pasta.
To learn more: Traditional French RatatouilleÂ
Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers
These Turkish-style Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers, also known as Biber Dolmasi, are made with small bell peppers filled with rice, onions, pine nuts, currants, herbs, and olive oil. You can serve them warm, cold, or at room temperature, which makes them perfect for mezze, packed lunch, picnics, or making ahead for guests.
To learn more: Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers
White Bean Salad - Piyaz
My White Bean Salad is based on Fasulye Piyaz, a Turkish bean salad made with cooked white beans, red onion, parsley, tomatoes, and boiled eggs, then mixed with a creamy tahini dressing. I usually serve it with Inegol Kofte, but it also goes well with kebabs, grilled chicken, or anything cooked on the barbecue.
To learn more: White Bean Salad
Braised Green Beans
My easy Green Beans Recipe is made with fresh green beans, ripe tomatoes, onions, garlic, and good-quality olive oil. This Turkish-style green bean dish, also known as Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye, is usually served warm or at room temperature as a side dish, light lunch, or meze.
To learn more: Green Beans Recipe
Courgette Fritters
Mücver (Turkish Courgette Fritters) are small vegetable pancakes that contain courgettes, egg, flour, spring onion, and fresh herbs. These crispy, savory treats are easy to make and packed with flavor, making them a perfect addition to any meal or gathering.
To learn more: Mücver (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)
Dolmades
Yaprak Sarma (a.k.a Dolmades) is an authentic vegan dish made from Grape Leaves Stuffed with aromatic rice, fresh Mediterranean herbs, and spices. It's a popular choice for special occasions and gatherings.
They are versatile and can be served as part of a mezze platter or as a main dish.
To learn more:Â Yaprak Sarma - Stuffed Grape Leaves
Salmon Quiche
Salmon and Spinach Quiche is a light, creamy, and indulgent treat that is perfect for delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a light dinner. This flavorsome quiche features a buttery homemade pastry crust, and a creamy egg base scattered with fresh spinach and salmon filling.
It is very straightforward to make at home with simple ingredients, and impressive enough to wow your guests!
To learn more: Salmon and Spinach Quiche
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