Fresh Ideas For Summer Lunches

 When the temperature rises, the last thing anyone wants to do is stand over a hot stove cooking. The fact is that summer lunches just call for something lighter, brighter, and a little more inspiring that the usual sandwich or quickly thrown-together salad, but just because it’s simple, that doesn’t mean it has to be boring, and when you think about things properly, you’ll be able to turn an everyday summer lunch into something really satisfying. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more. 

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Use Seasonal Ingredients

One of the easiest ways to improve your summer lunches is by choosing ingredients that are actually in season, and when it comes to the warmer months, you’ll want things like tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and various herbs, for example (like basil and mint) because they’re at their best during summer. 

What’s even better is that when they’re fresh they’re also full of flavour, so in most cases there’s not a lot you really have to do with them - just slice them up, sprinkle with a little bit of sea salt, and enjoy as they are or toss them together into a tasty, healthy dish. 

Make Cold Dishes 

There’s something especially lovely and appealing about cold dishes when the weather is warm, but cold doesn’t have to mean it’s bland or that there’s no excitement to it, and actually, you can have something absolutely stunning without having to switch on the oven at all. 

Some of the best ingredients to use are pasta salads, couscous bowls, or even leftover roasted vegetables - they can all be transformed into something delicious with a bit of dressing or a squeeze of lemon juice. Add some nuts, feta cheese, or herbs, and you’ve got what feels like a proper meal without any heating needed. 

Add A Bit Of Luxury

Lunch can still feel special, even if it only takes a few minutes to put together - a slice of good quality cheese, some olives, or perhaps a small portion of smoked salmon can completely change the tone of the meal. Remember, you don’t have to spend a fortune, and you only have to choose one or two ingredients to take the entire dish to the next level. 

If you then serve whatever you’ve made with some good, fresh bread, chilled cucumber slices, or a few cherry tomatoes, for example, you’ve instantly got something you’ll want to sit and enjoy rather than rush through or maybe even eat at your desk, which is never an ideal way to have lunch. And when it’s nice outside, it seems a shame to stay indoors and not really think about lunch at all. 

Keep It Flexible 

Something else that’s wise to remember (and that could be quite a relief!) is that you don’t have to follow a recipe to the letter unless you happen to be baking something (in which case, it’s actually very important). In the end, one of the best things about summer food is how much you can do with it and how flexible it can be, and that’s quite exciting at the same time. 

Perhaps you’ve got some leftover roast chicken, for example - you could throw it in a wrap with some fresh salad and yogurt. Or maybe there’s some fruit that’s about to turn - that could be blended with some ice for a makeshift smoothie. The point is, when you stop aiming for perfection and start just working with what you’ve got, lunches can be fun to make and delicious to eat, and you might just surprise yourself with your creativity. 

Don’t Forget To Hydrate

While it might not seem like part of the meal, hydration actually plays a massive role in how we feel during summer, especially in the middle of the day, so make sure you’ve got this aspect of things covered as well - and jazz it up if you want to to make sure you enjoy it more (and drink more as a result). 

You might like to have a jug of water in the fridge, ready to go, for example, so why not add some mint and cucumber into it to freshen it up? Or what about making some homemade lemonade or iced tea so you’ve got something refreshing to drink that’s also a little bit different. 

Take Time To Pause 

Perhaps the most important thing about lunch isn’t the ingredients at all - it’s more the chance to take a moment out of your busy day to pause for a bit. Ideally, you’ll want to go outside if the sun’s shining, but if not, try to sit by a window. At the very least, don’t look at your phone while you’re eating. 

This small break in your day can do wonders for your mood, focus, and your overall wellbeing, and when the food is fresh, tasty, and good for you, it’s even better.