Skip to content
Open menu Close menu

Feed your appetite for cooking with Penguin’s expert authors

The Happy Foodie’s Laid-back Lunch Menu

by Lottie Huckle

published on 12 May 2016, last updated on 26 August 2021

Here at The Happy Foodie, we take the longer and warmer evenings as an excuse to invite a load of fellow foodies over for a long, leisurely, laid-back lunch. Get inspired for the weekend with our early summer lunch menu.

Starter:

Green Herb Cauliflower ‘Tabbouleh’

Green Herb Cauliflower ‘Tabbouleh’

This recipe from The A-Z of Eating is another triumph from Felicity Cloake. The creamy cauliflower couples perfectly with the punchy herbs and bold dried fruits in this dish. Green and zesty, this grain-free tabbouleh makes for the perfect summer starter or side.

Main: 

Barbecued Sambal Lemon Sole

Barbecued Sambal Lemon Sole

by Shu Han Lee

It goes without saying that we also take the warmer evenings as an excuse to wheel out the barbecue. This eye-catching recipe from Shu Han Lee’s Chicken and Rice is an impressive addition to any barbecue and a delicious one to any table, too. But if you don’t fancy firing up the coals, you can cook this dish in the oven too. 

Dessert:

Rhubarb Galette

Rhubarb Galette

by Claire Ptak

Rustic and delicious, galettes are an excellent, easier alternative to a tart. This recipe from The Violet Bakery Cookbook by Claire Ptak combines sharp rhubarb, nutty and sweet frangipane and rich, buttery pastry. We recommend serving this with endless scoops of clotted cream ice cream. 

Share

You might also like


View all

Recipe Collections

Vegetarian centrepieces for Easter

Easter is traditionally marked with a lamb roast, but there’s no shortage of brilliant vegetarian dishes that feel just as festive and special for a spring. From seasonal greens to...

Recipe Collections

The best desserts for Easter

We all love something sweet to round off an Easter roast. But if you’re looking for something more substantial than chocolate eggs or hot cross buns, these dessert recipes make...

Recipe Collections

Feed your family with 5 meals for £25 from Cardiff Mum

Anyone who’s tasked with feeding a family knows how hard it can be to create a varied roster of dinners while sticking to a weekly budget. Thankfully, here to help...

newsletter

Subscribe to The Happy Foodie email newsletter

Get our latest recipes, features, book news and ebook deals straight to your inbox every week