With the weather getting warmer, it’s only natural that we want to be out enjoying the sunshine (or cooling off in the shade), not standing over the hob and cooking up dinner.
Thankfully, Meliz Berg (also known to her many followers as @melizcooks) is here with her second cookbook, packed full of simple, delicious recipes that are filling, fresh and fast. With Dinner Tonight, Meliz takes inspiration from her Turkish-Cypriot heritage, plus much-loved dishes from family and friends, to deliver a stunning collection of recipes including one-pot wonders, traybakes, speedy meals, and traditional dishes with an easy twist.
To give you a taste of what you’ll find inside this beautiful cookbook, we’ve selected 10 of our favourite summery dishes that we can’t wait to make for dinner.
Tavuk Kapama – One-pot Chicken and Rice All-in-one
One of Meliz’s most popular recipes, this one-pot chicken and rice dish comprises a mouth-watering marinade of herbs, smoked paprika and chilli flakes to create a crowd-pleasing dinner.
Creamy Hellim and Tomato Orzo
Ready to put on the table in just over 30 minutes, this all-in-one orzo dish is made complete with a delicious topping of grated hellim (halloumi cheese) and dried mint.
Juicy Köfte and Spinach Stew
This recipe for homemade meatballs (which can easily be made plant-based or egg-free) in a rich tomato sauce pairs beautifully with crusty bread or rice.
Hellim and Sautéed Vegetable Frittata
Perfect for when you’re raiding the fridge for leftover veg, cheese and potatoes, this flavour-packed twist on an Italian classic makes a lovely dinner paired with a fresh green salad.
Seabass with Herby Pul Biber Butter
Nothing says “Mediterranean summer” quite like a platter of perfectly cooked fish. These fillets take just 15 minutes to prep and cook, and are topped with a lip-smacking buttery sauce of lemon, herbs and pul biber (Aleppo pepper).
‘Hodge Podge’ Tuna Spaghetti
Versatile and adaptable, this recipe is ideal for using up whatever fish and veg you might have in your fridge.
Cannellini Bean, Crispy Hellim & Crunchy Walnut Salad
Combining two classic Turkish salads with a special twist, this make-ahead salad is a moreish balance of fresh, sweet, salty and nutty flavours.
Cheat’s Lahmacun Pittas
Satisfy your cravings for a Friday night takeaway with this fuss-free version of lahmacun, using crispy shop-bought pita and an easy-to-make spiced mince topping.
Crunchy Creamy Cherry ‘Mess’
For something sweet to round off your dinner, look no further than this “cheat’s version” of two classic desserts, featuring orange blossom-infused cream, crisp-yet-chewy meringue pieces, and a sweet, syrupy cherry topping.
