As soon as the weather warms up, and for this year it's so far so good, my cooking becomes simpler, lighter and fresher with plenty of salads. So on my #CookBlogShare round up this week , I am sharing recipes from the bloggers who linked up last week with #CookBlogShare sensational summer recipes that I think fit my way of thinking perfectly.
Busy Busy Busy
The last few weeks since I hosted #CookBlogShare have been pretty manic. If you have been following Recipes Made Easy at all recently then you will know that my small allotment plot where I grow mostly soft fruits has been demanding a lot of my time. I have been super busy in the kitchen making dishes from all those lovely berries such as Blackcurrant Jam, Raspberry and Redcurrant Jam, Raspberry and Hazelnut Crumble Cake, Gooseberry Pudding, and Blackcurrant Cordial and if the recipe isn't on the blog yet it soon will be.
My son moving back home after 4 years at university added to the work load. I had to give back his bedroom which I had rather selfishly commandeered as a larger more spacious office than my box room office which I share with Mr B, and which is really not much bigger than a cupboard. The hardest part was relocating my extensive cookbook collection for a second time, which now finds itself in our bedroom and at the furthest point away from the kitchen. I live in a tall and narrow house so I guess I will keep fit having to keep running up and down all those stairs when I want to get my hands on a certain book.
Then in addition to that I have had to attend rehearsals for Popchoir, which I joined last October as we prepared for a big gig last week. It was just the most fun, although I can not begin to tell you how tired I felt the following day. I have not been on a stage since secondary school and joining the choir was a move way out of my comfort zone but I am so glad I did.
I am sure I am not the only busy one and we are all looking for quick and easy dishes to make. While there were some fabulous sweet dishes linked up to #CookBlogShare last week such as The Baking Explorers Peaches and Cream Tart with Fresh Mint which really caught my eye, I thought this week I would pick some savoury dishes for the round up as Recipes Made Easy is a bit sweet recipe heavy at the moment.
#CookBlogShare Sensational Summer Recipes
All the dishes I have chosen for this round up are fresh tasting and simple to make summer dishes which are ideal for anyone time stretched who doesn't want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
Sirloin with lemon grass infused marinade
Lost in Food linked up this Delicious looking Sirloin with lemon grass infused marinade I took one look and it's straight on the list to make. "The steaks are marinated in lemongrass, garlic, ginger and chilli, for a real Asian influence, but with a very light touch". Sounds perfect to me, I'm kicking myself for not buying some steaks from my local butchers in Suffolk last weekend but I will be making this soon. I'm thinking it would make a fabulous summer starter.
Easy Salmon Salad
Kirsty from Hijacked by Twins linked up this Easy salmon salad made with ready prepared cooked salmon (although it would take not much longer to cook your own if you preferred). She has teamed it up with spinach, cucumber, avocado and feta, tossed in a dill and honey flavoured dressing. Now that's what I call a perfect summer dish. Kirsty suggests serving with some non-alcoholic beer but as I'm not a beer fan (although I do use it to cook with) so I would opt for a nice cool glass of Australian Riesling.
Cauliflower Bulgar Wheat, Honey and Chicken
This recipe for cauliflower bulgar wheat with chicken and peaches from Everyday Healthy Recipes " The combination of bulgur, some basic spices and cauliflower (which after 30 minutes in the oven still retains some crunch) all coated in a semi-creamy zesty lemon sauce makes this bulgur wheat mixture an ideal base for the spicy, crispy honey chicken". Monika suggests this as a great midweek meal and it is easy enough to be so, but it looks too good to keep just to yourself and I think it would make a great dinner party dish too.
Green Hummus
Meals and Makes, Green Hummus a dip made with fresh or frozen broad beans and creme fraiche would be a perfect summer snack or would be great to serve along side a barbecue or picnic.
jenny walters
Great round up.Mega Congrats on the singing sounds great fun!Loved Monika's chicken recipe,it looks fantastic.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thanks Jenny The singing is fun. I really didn't think I would join in any of the performances but I am so glad I did. Agree Monika chicken recipe looks fabulous
Corina
Lovely round up Jacqui! I am impressed by anyone who can grow their own fruit and vegetables - I've tried a few times in my garden but I never seem to have much success. I love the sound of Lost in Food's lemongrass marinade. It sounds right up my street!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you .Im not very successful with vegetable either. I get a few but they demand much more time to be successful I think
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
My, Jacqui, but you have been busy! This is a lovely roundup of recipes—these will find their way onto my table soon. Thanks for hosting #CookBlogShare!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you Michelle
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
What a lovely selection and thank you so much for featuring my salmon salad. Lost in Food's sirloin salad looks amazing! Thank you for hosting and all of your help x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Hi Kirsty I love hosting and being part of the #CookBlogShare team so the thanks goes to you.
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
It's funny how Summer period and even run up to it get so busy. You most certainly have been a very busy lady Jacqui but in such a fun way with the choir and allotment (allotment envy here)! Will have to check out your recipes! Great selection of Summery dishes in this round-up. Love beautiful colours on Monika's chicken and that steak salad mmmm... Many thanks for hosting. x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
There certainly was some lovely dishes to share. My allotment plot may be small and hard work but it does pay rewards.
Monika Dabrowski
Thank you so much for featuring my chicken recipe, Jacqui! You do sound very busy! My son has finished his 1st year at university and is back for the summer, so I can relate to your situation a little - there is more to do now he is back! Will we be seeing you on BGT singing your heart out soon?
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
You're welcome Monika. it looked lovely. Just wait until they bring all their stuff back! Mine had been away for 4 years. As for BGT I'll stick to singing in a large choir where no one really notices you. All the fun and no pressure. J x
Michelle Rolfe
Wow Jacqui, sounds like it has been a hectic month for you, but all good things from your post! I'm looking forward to making your black currant cordial with the fresh black currants I just picked from the garden. Thanks so much for sharing our recipe in the roundup. Its one of our favourites and using the lettuce leafs make me feel just that bit healthier and a great way for a beef starter without heavy carbs.
Cheers
Michelle
x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Yes indeed a hectic month but life always feels hectic these day ha ha. Your beef looked amazing and as I say I will be trying it soon. I had to include that!
Michelle Rolfe
Thank you! Would love to hear what you think!
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
What a lovely roundup of delicious summery recipes! My favourite this week is definitely Monika's gorgeous dish - I love the idea of pairing peaches and chicken - so summery and I am sure super delicious, plus I just love bulgur wheat!! Your tale of moving cookery books made me laugh...When we lived in France, we lived on the 3rd floor of an apartment block and some friends helped us move in...several of the boxes were really heavy and they asked what on earth all these heavy boxes were...I think you can guess - my cookery book collection! (And it has grown since!!) Eb x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
I was on a 3rd floor flat before we moved (22yrs ago)but had less books then. Its bad enough dragging them all up another floor.
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain
A popchoir Jacqui - that sounds so much fun (though I completely empathise with how you felt about getting on stage). I had visions of you telling us that you were being coached by Gareth thingy-bobby (I'm sure who you mean though his last name eludes me at the moment!)
Great round up too :-0
Angela x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
It is such fun Angela. No auditions, no need, to read music no pressure, just singing for the fun of it. When I started I didnt think I would do any performance but after a while I thought what the heck! One of 250 voices on stage no one will hear me as such anyway!
I know who you mean and some of the brighter young members joined in a flash mob event organised by him as part of a new celebrity bar opening. j x
Sage
Thanks so much for the link-up! I'm a first time visitor and found you via the hashtag in the comment section of another blog 🙂
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Glad you found us and thank you for linking up
Kate, Meals and Makes
Thanks very much for featuring my 'Green hummus' dip! The other summer recipes you have selected look delicious. x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Your welcome it looked yummy
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Yay! Another great round-up of simmer recipes! Thank you for hosting, Jacqui. Have a lovely Tuesday!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Ooppps! That's summer! Hahaha!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
yep sorry about that 😉
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you. Lots of lovely recipes to choose from it is always hard as i want to include them all ha ha! Have a good week. j x