The Happy Foodie team turns to A Love of Eating for cooking inspiration in all seasons, but it is during the summer months that our copies are on particularly heavy rotation. A seemingly endless resource for meals best enjoyed outside, this stunning cookbook from the duo behind boutique catering company, Tart London, is brimming with recipes to inspire summer feasting. From barbecue dishes and crisp salads, to taco feasts and four different ice cream variations, here we have rounded up ten of our favourite such dishes from the book. So, fire up the barbecue, dust off the picnic rug, open out your parasol and cook up an al fresco feast the Tart London way before the summer is out.
White Bean and Parma Ham Bruschetta
Bruschetta and summer were meant to be. Dig out your favourite serving board, pile it high with different variations of this produce-topped toast (we can't get enough of this white bean and parma ham version), and pop it on your garden table for grazing from as you soak up the sun.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
Fish Tacos with Tomatillo Salsa and Smoky Walnut and Black Garlic Mayonnaise
Download a copy of A Love of Eating to access this crowd-pleasing feast inspired by Mexican flavours. Best shared between friends at the height of summer, these convivial cod tacos are served with a punchy tomatillo salsa and fresh grapefruit slaw.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
Sticky Miso Spare Ribs
Lucy and Jemima describe these tender ribs coated in a sticky miso maple glaze and destined for the BBQ as “messy, succulent, get-your-hands-dirty-while-outside-in-the-sun kind of fun”. Enough said.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
Raw Courgettes and Buffalo Mozzarella with Broad Bean and Mint
Every barbecue needs a fresh, crisp side salad bursting with seasonal produce to unexpectedly steal the show. Featuring ribbons of raw courgette, sweet broad beans, creamy mozzarella and a citrus dressing, this salad will do just that.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
Smoked Tomatoes, Burrata and Basil Oil
There's no time like the summer to make the most of tomatoes, and in this recipe they are lightly smoked and then roasted to make them extra sweet. A masterclass in using just a handful of hard-working ingredients when they are at their very best, the only additions to this dish are a creamy burrata and fragrant basil oil. Best enjoyed in dappled summer light.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
Summer Charred Mackerel Salad
The perfect pescatarian barbecue dish, this charred mackerel topped with a caper and tarragon dressing is bursting with summer produce, from the asparagus and watercress salad to the tender new potatoes served on the side.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
Chicken Burgers with Maple-chipotle Mayonnaise and Pickled Cucumber
There are chicken burgers and then there are these tender chicken patties served with all the trimmings, from a maple-chipotle mayo to pickled cucumber. Cook them on the barbecue if you're firing it up and then put all the accompaniments on your garden table for everyone to build their own bun.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
Marinated Lamb with Baba Ganoush and Sweet Tomatoes
This Middle Eastern-inspired lamb centrepiece features succulent spiced lamb, baba ganoush and chopped tomatoes, making the most of seasonal summer aubergines and toms. Serve alongside a crunchy salad.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
Ice Cream
The ultimate al fresco dessert is well accounted for in A Love of Eating with not one but four different variations to choose from. Whether you opt for strawberry, basil and mascarpone, roasted hazelnut with chocolate splinters, extra virgin olive oil or Daim bar with roasted almond (or fill your freezer with all four because, you know, gotta be prepared for those heatwaves), there's no more delicious way to cool down in the sun.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
Vanilla Bean Yoghurt Panna Cotta
When a hot dessert just won't do, there's always panna cotta, and this version served with roasted apricots and laced with vanilla bean has a distinctly Provençal vibe. The perfect end to a balmy summer meal.
Get your copy of A Love of Eating here.
From the book
A Love of Eating: Recipes from Tart London
Fresh, wholesome recipes full of seasonal ingredients
Inspiration for fuss-free weeknight cooking and weekend entertaining
Beautiful cakes and sweet treats
