Summer is finally here, and it's time to spend less time in the kitchen and more time outside enjoying the beautiful weather! This collection of easy, light, and absolutely delicious summer dinner recipes is perfect for celebrating those long, warm days with family and friends.
Peri Peri Chicken
Peri Peri Chicken is a delightful one-pot dish made by marinating bone-in chicken pieces and baking them to perfection in the oven.
Serve it alongside coconut rice and Air Fryer Corn on the Cob for a perfect family weeknight meal that everyone loves!
For Nando's fans, this piri piri chicken is a must-try, offering the same taste as the original but at a lower cost and healthier.
To learn more: Easy Homemade Peri Peri Chicken
Islim Kebabi - Aubergine Meatball Wraps
Aubergine Meatball Wraps are one of those traditional Turkish dishes mainly known and loved by regular households in Turkey.
It is not a landmark dish widely representing Turkish cuisine abroad such as Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab or Lamb Shish Kebab.
However, it is an oriental dish that is an extremely flavorful and delicious combination of meat and vegetables.
To learn more: Islim Kebabi (Aubergine Meatball Wraps)
Courgette Fritters - Mucver
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 party.
To learn more: Mucver (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
These delicious Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers are filled with aromatic stuffing made of rice, onions, pine nuts, currants, and various herbs/spices.
You can serve them as a side dish as well as the main meal or an appetizer. The leftovers are great for a boxed lunch the next day or a picnic.
To learn more: Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers (Biber Dolmasi)
Mediterranean Green Beans
Mediterranean Green Beans is a popular vegetarian/vegan dish that is cooked quite often in most Turkish homes during the summer.
This simple yet delicious dish can be made beforehand and usually served warm or at room temperature.
All you need is green beans, ripened summer tomatoes, onions, and good-quality olive oil to cook this scrumptious summer dish.
To learn more: Mediterranean Green Beans (Taze Fasulye)
Traditional French Ratatouille
Traditional French Ratatouille dish is a delightful marriage of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, 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 Ratatouille Niçoise Recipe
Vegan Lentil Meatballs
Turkish Vegan Lentil Meatballs is a healthy and flavourful Turkish dish consisting of fine bulgur, red lentils, onions, tomato & red pepper paste, and spices.
These aromatic vegetarian meatballs are inexpensive and very easy to make. Just like Easy Meatless Cig Kofte, they are usually served as an appetizer, a healthy snack, or a part of a mezze platter.
To learn more: Mercimek Kofte (Vegan Lentil Meatballs)
Grilled Lamb Kofte
Grilled Lamb Kofta (Izgara Kofte in Turkish) is one of the most popular street foods in Turkey consisting of minced lamb and aromatic spices such as coriander and paprika.
It is extremely easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills. They are traditionally cooked over charcoal but you can cook them on a gas BBQ, on the stove, or even in the oven grill.
To learn more: Turkish Grilled Lamb Kofta - Izgara Kofte
Vegan Stuffed Aubergines - Imam Bayildi
Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Aubergine) is a classic Ottoman dish made with eggplants cooked in a generous amount of olive oil. It is stuffed with a mixture of onions, tomatoes, and garlic.
Packed with Mediterranean flavors, this baked stuffed aubergine dish is a very easy yet extremely delicious summer recipe to make.
To learn more: Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)
Turkish Style Borlotti Beans
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)
Adana Kebab
Adana Kebab (a.k.a Adana Kebap or Adana Kofte) is a delicious hand-minced meat kebab mounted on a skewer and then grilled over charcoal.
This delicious spicy ground lamb kebab is a staple of Turkish street food that you can find on menus around the world. The best way to serve it is on flatbread, or with rice and a variety of salads and mezes.
To learn more: Adana Kebab (Adana Kofte)
Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
These Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets are all about that perfect crunch on the outside and juicy tenderness on the inside.
They’re a breeze to whip up, taking only 24 minutes; perfect for those busy weeknights!
To learn more: Crispy Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
Prawn Risotto with Peas
Creamy Prawn Risotto With Peas is a delightful, hearty, and comforting dish consisting of juicy shrimp, arborio rice, and homemade stock.
Ready in only 30 minutes, this restaurant-quality risotto is perfect for a weeknight meal as well as a romantic date night!
To learn more: Creamy Shrimp Risotto with Peas
Melitzanosalata - Greek Aubergine Dip
Melitzanosalata (Roasted Greek Aubergine Dip) is a smokey and delicious Greek appetizer/meze made with fire-roasted eggplants, tangy lemon juice, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil.
This heavenly eggplant salad is a harmonious blend of smoky, zesty, and vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
To learn more: Melitzanosalata (Roasted Greek Eggplant Dip)
Manti - Turkish Ravioli
Manti (or Mantu) is a delicious and popular Turkish dish consisting of small, savory, and tender dumplings.
The dumplings are typically filled with a juicy and flavorful mixture of meat and spices.
They are traditionally served with tangy garlic yogurt and drizzled with spicy butter sauce.
To learn more: Manti Dumplings - Turkish Ravioli Recipe
Stuffed Courgettes
These stuffed zucchini boats are the perfect way to make use of your fresh garden zucchini.
They are loaded with spiced ground beef, onions, fresh herbs, and rice, topped with cheese to add extra flavor, and then baked to tender perfection.
To learn more: Zucchini Boats with Ground Beef
Briam - Greek Roasted Vegetables
Briam is a hearty Greek casserole dish featuring roasted vegetables cooked in a generous amount of olive oil and seasoned with simple Mediterranean flavors.
This delicious Mediterranean roasted vegetable dish is typically served as a main course, often paired with feta cheese, olives, and crusty bread. Simply delicious!
To learn more: Briam - Greek Roasted Vegetables
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