Quick and easy recipes for the lazy days of Summer


Hello my friend,

Today is Rosh Chodesh Ellul, which means Rosh Hashanah is just a few weeks away! I'll be getting more into that next week, but first...

Shabbat recipe of the week - courgette, feta and mint pashtida

Pashtida is an Israeli baked savoury dish of vegetables, cheese and eggs that makes a delicious and filling main dish or side. This courgette, feta and mint pashtida is light but flavoursome, and delicious eaten both hot or cold.

Not quite a quiche, not quite a frittata - whatever it is it's delicious! Enjoy it with greens and potato salad for a light and Summery Shabbat meal.

Read more here...

Quick and easy summer recipes

As much as I enjoy cooking, summer is a time for quick and easy recipes. When the weather is sweltering, the idea of putting the oven on is really not appealing! Simple, fast and tasty with minimal cooking is just what's called for.

Summer days are when bountiful salads, quick and tasty pasta dishes, and simple but flavourful desserts come into their own. I also love make-ahead dishes like this marinated mushroom salad. With just 15-20 minutes of prep time I can make a double batch which will wait patiently in the fridge, ready to serve at several meals.

Below are some more of my family's favourite fast and easy summertime recipes. Some are so quick that you can get several different dishes made in about 30 minutes of kitchen time. That's what I call efficient!

Delicious quick and easy summer recipes

All of these tasty, wholesome recipes are super speedy to make and require no fancy ingredients or equipment. Just the thing when all you really want to do is put your feet up and enjoy a long cool drink!

  • Heirloom tomato salad with olives, basil and sumac
    Now's the time to bag some juicy, ripe and fragrant tomatoes, then enjoy them in this beautiful salad that tastes like summer in every bite.
  • Cauliflower with lemon, anchovy and garlic
    This simple dish is one of our favourite ways to eat cauliflower - gently cooked till crisp, then drenched in deeply savoury anchovy, garlic, lemon and parsley. A great side dish or a simple main with couscous, quinoa or the grain of your choice.
  • Quick courgette and cherry tomato pasta
    Our kitchen garden is overflowing with courgettes and this recipe is a lovely way to enjoy them. Easy, fast and filling, it's packed with fresh summer veggies. Yum!
  • Fish with lemon caper butter sauce
    The quick and easy-to-make sauce is rich and delicious and instantly upgrades plain white fish fillets into a luxurious and indulgent dinner.
  • Easy sesame noodles
    Cold and refreshing sesame noodles make a tasty, filling meal using minimal ingredients. Great for a quick meal at home or pack into a box for an on-the-go lunch.
  • Cheat's cheese kreplach
    Crispy, cheesy, savoury, and speedy! These fabulous cheesy pasta dumplings in garlic butter make a quick but special dinner that everyone will love.
  • Creamy gnocchi with spinach and smoked salmon
    Gnocchi cook up in just a few minutes, and make a lovely base to soak up luscious creamy sauces like this one with flavoursome spinach and tender smoked salmon.
  • Addictive miso tahini pasta
    Highly nutritious, this easy vegan pasta takes just 15 minutes to make. Add some crisp steamed veggies for a filling, wholesome dinner.
  • The best fruit salad
    My family eats more fruit salad than all other desserts put together! Here are our top tips for making a delicious, healthy fresh fruit salad.
  • Chia pudding with yogurt
    Although I usually enjoy this as a healthy breakfast, you can also serve smaller portions as a highly nutritious dessert. Offer sliced fruits, nuts, seeds or the toppings of your choice at the table.

If you're after more quick and simple recipes, you'll find loads more ideas that take less than 30 minutes right here.

Thanks in advance!

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Shabbat Shalom

Schedules are all over the place during the Summer holidays, and I really appreciate having Shabbat not only as a day to relax, but also as a touchstone to give some structure to our lives. At least once a week I know what day it is!

May your day of rest be relaxing and reviving. Wishing you Shabbat Shalom - A Good Shabbos! - that brings peace, comfort, happiness and blessings to us all.

With love, Helen x.

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Family Friends Food

Hi, I'm Helen. I share easy, nutritious, seasonal, flexitarian recipes, often with a British-Jewish twist. Expect a weekly dose of delicious dinner ideas, news and positivity!

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