Our selection of summer recipes to treat yourself without spending much time. (Credit: Photos provided by the chefs.)
As the Northern Hemisphere swelters — especially Europe, where heatwaves are becoming increasingly common — the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen. That's why we've put together a selection of quick, delicious recipes that let you eat well without breaking a sweat. Because hot weather shouldn't mean compromising on good food.
Appetizers/mezzes
What better way to kick off a summer meal than with a few dips to share? Easy to prepare and endlessly versatile, they're warm-weather staples. Among our favorites are Andréa Boueiz’s zucchini and tahini dip or Liza Asseily’s “Lebanese-style” shrimp guacamole.
To round out the meal, let vegetables take center stage with Carla Rebeiz's green asparagus with labneh and zaatar.
Main courses
No roundup of quick, satisfying meals would be complete without salads. Ready in just a few minutes, Andréa Boueiz’s freekeh and chicken salad and Aline Kamakian’s olive and walnut salad will give you a refreshing boost.
For more salads, find our full selection here.
Another quick-meal staple: pasta. But not just any pasta. Try Carla Rebeiz’s spaghetti with labneh, garlic and dried mint, an original Levantine-inspired recipe.
If you're looking to pack in more vegetables, you won't be short of options: Joe Barza’s roasted vegetables with labneh and tahini sauce, Joanna Kassem’s quinoa-stuffed vegetables or, for something a little more unexpected, Andréa Boueiz’s green cabbage tonnato (yes, really !) will help you get your greens without spending hours in the kitchen.
Desserts
On the dessert side, even those with the biggest sweet tooth can find satisfaction without spending the afternoon in the kitchen.
Carla Rebeiz’s mouhallabie with black sesame, with matcha or with pistachio focus on simplicity while remaining elegant.
In a different vein, Karine Zablit’s chocolate mousse stands out with its creamy texture and comforting flavor, with just 20 minutes of preparation.
