Light and fresh foods to eat in the summer

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June is the official start of meteorological summer, with June 21 being the longest day of the year. We can enjoy the light long days and the warm balmy nights and it’s natural that our eating habits change. We move away from heavy hot foot to light and fresh foods to eat in the summer.

Summer is the time for alfresco dining, sizzling barbecues and outdoor picnics. It is also the perfect opportunity to make the most of fantastic seasonal products. Fresh fruits and vegetables, ripe tomatoes and courgettes are all at their best.

Summer is also the time when we enjoy less formal dining. Sit down heavy dinners are replaced with light platters of antipasti filled with olives, cheese, an assortment of meats and other deli products.

Antipasti, from a starter to a full meal

Antipasti derives from the word antipasto which literally means “before the pasta.” Traditionally Italians enjoyed antipasti before a meal. Bowls of olives, roasted vegetables, cheeses and sliced deli meats were served to open up the appetite before a meal.

Antipasti platter

Today we enjoy antipasti as a full meal and not just as a starter. The presentation of antipasti – the colours, the artful arrangements and the delicious flavours reminds us that it’s time to unwind and indulge. To treat ourselves with light and fresh foods to eat in the summer.

As we slow down and enjoy the warmer days, antipasti allows us to eat at our own pace without formality. To dip in and pick and choose the flavours we enjoy. And most importantly to stretch out the joys of eating without worrying that the food is getting cold.

Olives are a true taste of the summer

I’m sure none of us go on a picnic or enjoy dining outside without a bowl of olives. Olives bring us a taste of summer holidays by the sea and today, we are lucky enough to have that same flavour on our tables in the UK.

Olives in wooden bowl

At Medfood we are proud of our olive tradition. Olives were our first love and our first products. Today we work with our partners around the Mediterranean to bring you the best olives possible. We marinade our olives and continue to strive to bring new flavours to your table. We have an extensive range of marinated olives and our flavour combinations will delight your palate.

Plain, marinated or stuffed, we are certain that our olives can’t be beaten on flavour and variety.

Sun dried tomatoes – sweetness and flavour

Sun and semi dried tomatoes are perfectly sweet and ripe tomatoes that bring you all the taste of warm summers. They can be used in salads, pastas and many other dishes where you desire a punch of intense tomato flavour. Semi-dried tomatoes are fantastic on their own or with cheese.

sun-dried-tomatoes-with-herbs-garlic-wooden-bowl

Our classic sun-dried tomatoes are dried and vacuum packed for extra freshness. While our sun-dried tomatoes in oil are marinated with herbs for extra juiciness and flavour. Tomatoes, fresh or dry, are full of goodness including essential antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. Recent research has shown that sundried tomatoes can help to protect the skin against the sun. So these little morsels of flavour are not just super delicious, they are good for us too.

Travel the world with our speciality range

Food has a certain magic in that it can transport you around the world with just a mouthful. Our speciality range does just that. Whether it’s Borettane Balsamic onions from Italy and preserved lemons with a taste of Morocco. Vine leaves reminding us of Greece and Turkey or red African peppers stuffed with cream cheese.

Stuffed vine leaves

Grilled vegetables – the ultimate summer taste

Many of us are increasingly moving towards a plant-based diet. Plants have essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that help our bodies to recover and stay healthy.

Why eat a plant based diet

Grilled vegetables are a delicious way of adding vegetables to our diet. Whether in salads, side dishes or as antipasti. Our range includes grilled courgettes, whole artichokes, aubergines, mushrooms and peppers.

healthy-tasty-vegetables-grilled-pan

Try this tasty summer salad and don’t be afraid to experiment. Try adding roasted vegetables, stuffed olives or semi dried tomatoes for extra taste. 

Salad

Ingredients 

  • Tomatoes, use a combination of fresh and semi-tried tomatoes.
  • Olives, choose from our marinated range for extra flavour
  • Feta cheese
  • Onions
  • Cucumber
  • Red onions
  • Add extra grilled vegetables

Dressing

  • 100ml olive oil (or use the oil from your marinated olives)
  • 50ml balsamic vinegar
  • 1tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper

If you would like to discuss your business needs with us and talk to us about our range of products, call our sales team on 020 8965 6528 or contact us for more information.

References:

9 scientific benefits of following a plant-based diet www.everydayhealth.com

Plant-based diets www.nutrition.org.uk

Photo attributes:

Sundried tomatoes Garlic photo created by timolina – www.freepik.com

Grilled vegetables Roasting photo created by valeria_aksakova – www.freepik.com

Vine leaves Stuffed photo created by 8photo – www.freepik.com

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