Por: Jideon F Marques

INTRODUCTION

Whether you are serving up a lazy weekend brunch, hosting a last-minute al fresco lunch in the garden, throwing a summer drinks party or staging a stylish celebration dinner under the stars, the ingredients and recipes in this book will transport you to the shores of the Mediterranean wherever you find yourself. This collection of easy, versatile and elegant recipes will provide you with endless inspiration for all your summer eating occasions, and cater for every taste and appetite.

For this book, I have gathered together my most trusted and reliable Mediterranean-inspired recipes, the ones that I return to again and again, in the hope that they will become firm favourites in your repertoire too.

I’ve included ideas for refreshing drinks with accompanying flavour-paired small bites, ideas for sharing platters to graze from at your leisure, impressive recipes that showcase the freshest fish and seafood, classic and full-flavoured meat dishes, an array of vegetable dishes and recipes that make the best use of nutritious grains and pulses. I also share with you some simple ideas for cooking with, and plating, fresh cheeses and other dairy, from feta and labneh to burrata, plus some simple recipes for homemade condiments, pickles and dressings that will add the perfect finishing touch to your dishes. Also included are some easy-yet-satisfying breads to bake, such as pita and focaccia, and of course the all-important decadent desserts and cakes.

I shine a spotlight on classic Mediterranean ingredients in essays that explore the role of seasonings such as salt, mustard and spices, as well as ancient foods such as olive oil, vinegar and honey, as these are the cornerstones of so many recipes enjoyed in the Southern European countries.

All the ingredients I have used in my recipes are easy to source in most supermarkets, delicatessens and farm shops. And remember, the beauty of Mediterranean-style food is its simplicity – you should be prepared to let your good-quality ingredients do most of the work, treat them with respect in your kitchen, then relax and share the stunning results with your friends and loved ones all summer long.