The recipes we're cooking this August
Eating with the seasons is a wonderful way to connect with nature, all the while saving you money and aiding sustainability. When you buy seasonal ingredients, their freshness is unmatched, and if they’re grown the UK, you know they've not travelled far to reach your plate. August heralds late-summer crops that need a little boost of warm weather to grow and ripen, like summer squashes and stone fruits.
What fruit and vegetables are in season in August?
Garlic - Homegrown garlic should be ready to harvest now, when the lower leaves begin to soften and discolour. Once lifted, keep in a dry, dark place. Garlic is a versatile aromatic, lending itself to nearly all cuisines. Add it into a rich meat ragu, use it in the base of a delicate Thai noodle soup, crush it with spices into a fragrant curry paste, or roast cloves of it with new potatoes. Struggling with your chopping technique? Brush up with our guide to preparing garlic.
Leeks - Leeks are a simple vegetable that can be tricky to prepare and cook perfectly. It’s a good idea to split a leek lengthways and wash thoroughly if your recipe allows, as sandy dirt can often get trapped between the layers, ruining any dish it comes into contact with. Leeks can be tough if undercooked, so make sure you cook them on a lower heat for a longer time to get them as tender as possible.
Mushrooms - We don’t recommend picking your own mushrooms without an expert on hand to check they're edible, but trusted greengrocers and farm shops should have some more uncommon mushrooms in stock. Look out for delicate chanterelles and earthy ceps at this time of year, which are both delicious simply fried in butter. Be sure to clean and chop your mushrooms properly with our top tips, too.
Onions - The backbone of cookery, every good recipe starts with an onion, but why not let it be the star of the show? Make a French onion soup or serve a slice of pissaladiere as a satisfying lunch.
Plums - Plucked and enjoyed straight from the tree, a ripe plum is a late-summer treat. Sweetest when in season, their perfumed flesh needs no cooking, but if you must, turn your plums into a crumble or, if you’ve a real glut, a delightfully sticky jam, so you can enjoy the fruit year round.
Summer squashes - With courgette being the most popular of them all, summer squashes grow in abundance. Harvest the flowers if you can, as they make a delicate and delectable starter when stuffed with ricotta, battered and fried. Shred courgette into ribbons for a low-carb pasta alternative, or if your courgettes become marrows, slice thinly, salt well and roast with plenty of olive oil until dark golden and tender.
Sweetcorn - Sweet (as the name would suggest!) and bursting with colour, corn is a real family favourite. Available all year round frozen, buying fresh cobs in the summertime means optimum flavour. If you're grilling yours on the BBQ this August, we've got plenty of interesting ideas for toppings, while a zingy sweetcorn salad can be served warm or cold.
Tomatoes - The sheer variety of tomatoes available these days mean there's one for every occasion. Whether they’re petite piccolo or big beef tomatoes, if they’re ripe then all you need to do to enjoy them is slice and salt. Layer with torn buffalo mozzarella and lashings of olive oil for a chic side salad.
Strawberries - Strawberries in August are unrivalled, as it's the peak of their season. The best of the crop will smell as good as they look, so do give them a sniff (packaging permitting) before you buy. Strawberries don’t have to be just for sweet dishes either, as they pair well with savoury flavours like smoked salmon.
Also in August, the cabbage family of kohlrabi and turnips come to fruition. Sweetheart cabbage makes an appearance, as does beetroot’s cousin, Swiss chard. Softer veg like lettuce, peas, peppers, mangetout, samphire, sorrel, rocket, runner beans, spring onions and watercress are also in season and make easy summer side dishes. Greengages, loganberries, redcurrants and raspberries are ripe for the picking, and though it feels early, parsnips, pumpkin and potatoes are all cropping up as well.
Easy courgette and leek lasagne - August recipes
August often means an abundance of courgettes and leeks, which are put to good use in this light, veg-filled lasagne.
Recipe: Easy courgette and leek lasagne
Baked Greek salad - August recipes
We’ve turned classic Greek salad on its head here. Pan-fried Saganaki cheese adds wonderful texture and moreish flavour but if you can’t get hold of it, use halloumi instead.
Recipe: Baked Greek salad
Griddled nectarine and feta Salad - August recipes
This delicious salad is perfect on a summer's day and is sure to please at any BBQ. You can swap the nectarines for peaches, just make sure they're not too ripe.
Recipe: Griddled nectarine and feta salad
Quinoa and chimichurri steak salad - August recipes
This herb-laden chimichurri dressing takes a simple steak salad to new heights. Use the juiciest tomatoes you can find and cook the rump steak on the BBQ if the August weather is playing ball.
Recipe: Quinoa and chimichurri steak salad
Vegan shiitake mushroom pesto ravioli - August recipes
Vegan or not, you're going to love this homemade pasta recipe. The pesto sings with fresh, summer flavours and pairs perfectly with the creamy shiitake mushroom filling.
Recipe: Vegan shiitake mushroom pesto ravioli
Strawberry and limoncello cheesecake pots - August recipes
Packed with limoncello zing and fresh strawberry sweetness, these summery pots are quick to prepare and make an effortless yet impressive dinner party dessert.
Recipe: Strawberry and limoncello cheesecake pots
Smoky corn, bacon and avocado salad - August recipes
This salad celebrates the soft, buttery flavour of British sweetcorn, which is in season now. Paired with bacon, avocado and tangy quick-pickled onions, it's a recipe to have on repeat all month long.
Recipe: Smoky corn, bacon and avocado salad
Greek lamb gyros - August recipes
Pile pittas high with tender harissa lamb, sweet pickled veg and cooling yogurt to transport you to the Med in minutes.
Recipe: Greek lamb gyros
Raspberry and fizz celebration cake - August recipes
A true showstopper, this cake is perfect for a summer celebration. You can use Prosecco, cava, Champagne or elderflower pressé for the fizz element.
Recipe: Raspberry and fizz celebration cake
Heirloom tomato and giant couscous salad - August recipes
You can jazz up this hearty heirloom tomato salad with olives, capers, feta or mozzarella if you fancy, though it's delicious as is.
Recipe: Heirloom tomato and giant couscous salad
Prawn and mango noodle salad - August recipes
When the sun's shining, we don't want to be spending hours in the kitchen. Handily this refreshing, Asian-style salad only requires 15 minutes prep from start to finish, so leaves you plenty of time to soak up those rays.
Recipe: Prawn and mango noodle salad
Red pepper and lamb lahmacun - August recipes
A little lamb mince goes a long way on these crisp and easy flatbreads, inspired by Turkey’s answer to pizza.
Recipe: Red pepper and lamb lahmacun
Pistachio pesto new potatoes - August recipes
Vibrant watercress is at its best right now and, combined with fragrant tarragon and toasted pistachios, makes a fresh, peppery sauce for these Jersey Royals. These are the ultimate side dish for a barbecued or steamed salmon centrepiece.
Recipe: Pistachio pesto new potatoes
Pork and mushroom yaki udon - August recipes
This speedy pork and mushroom stir-fry is filled with vibrant green veg, spring onions and warming ginger. Swap the shiitake for thinly sliced button or chestnut mushrooms, if easier to source.
Recipe: Pork and mushroom yaki udon
Raspberry and cinnamon squares - August recipes
These easy-bake bars incorporate fresh raspberries and warming cinnamon for a moreish teatime treat. They'll disappear fast, that's for sure...
Recipe: Raspberry and cinnamon squares
Sicilian all-in-one pasta - August recipes
Got a glut of cherry tomatoes to get through? This is the perfect pasta recipe to put them to use and, better yet, it requires just one pan from start to finish.
Recipe: Sicilian all-in-one pasta
Plum meringue no-churn ice cream - August recipes
Think you need a fancy machine to make homemade ice cream? Think again. This no-churn ice cream combines ripe plums, double cream, condensed milk and shattered meringue nests to create an oh-so summery dessert.
Recipe: Plum meringue no-churn ice cream
Rainbow salad - August recipes
This rainbow salad recipe is bright and brimming with goodness. Serve alongside a selection of barbecued meat or halloumi for a tasty summer spread.
Recipe: Rainbow salad
Griddled courgettes, tomatoes and lemon - August recipes
Subtly sweet and spiced, this seasonal salad brings bags of freshness to any BBQ line-up.
Recipe: Griddled courgettes, tomatoes and lemon
Miso mackerel with sticky rice - August recipes
August is also British mackerel season, so make the most of it with this Japanese-inspired recipe. It's just as delicious as it looks, with the umami miso pairing perfectly with the natural sweetness of the mackerel and mirin sushi rice.
Recipe: Miso mackerel with sticky rice
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