The Mediterranean diet offers a great variety and with a little creativity and the right ingredients, it is easier than ever to enjoy a delicious meal also during a hot summer day.

Some of my favorite Italian recipes for summer are also super easy to make and are perfect for an outdoor lunch with the family or to bring with you on a local trip to discover nature.

Here are some of my go-to recipes for hot summer days:

 

1 - A salad...but make it with pasta!

A pasta salad will fix any meal! Just cook the pasta slightly “Al Dente” for better consistency and get creative with the ingredients: tomatoes, basil and mozzarella are the base and from here I like to add flavor with some vegetables in oil, and proteins with tuna or boiled eggs.

 

The secret for a great pasta saladis to mix all the ingredients while the pasta is still hot and then let it sit for a while to cool off: this way all the ingredients will be perfectly mixed and your pasta salad will be chef-worthy!

Who said rice is just for Sushi? The same ingredients can help you fix also an incredible Italian Rice Salad! I use Carnaroli or Arborio rice since these types guarantee a perfect cooking point and will taste great also served cold.

 

2 - Freselle and Capresine: easy cold dishes for everyone!      

What is tastier than bread with fresh tomatoes? There is a way to make this simple recipe unforgettable. I like using Freselle: these fragrant slices of bread are a true staple of the Italian pantry. The secret is all in the way this fragrant bread is cooked two times in the oven allowing it to be preserved for long periods without the addition of any artificial preservatives.

Just take out your Fresella from the pantry and soften it with some water (as much or as little as you please), add virgin olive oil, sliced tomatoes and basil and oregano. If you are not planning a romantic dinner I would suggest to also rub a garlic clove on the Fresella before adding the tomatoes!

This is the simplest recipe, but you can also add tuna or vegetables in oil, fresh mozzarella or your favorite spreadables. Capresine are similar but smaller, making them perfect for an aperitif or to try out different seasonings.

My secret tip:add some Balsamic vinegar pearls or salt to turn your Freselle into a gourmet dish!

 

3 - You can never go wrong with a cold dessert

You can’t beat Italian Ice cream, but I like to have some good alternatives always ready in my fridge: I like mixing one of Cameo’s ready mixes to add a sweet touch to my summer dinners: try their super easy Crém Caramel, Panna Cotta or Budino - Pudding. It takes literally 5 minutes of mixing on the stove and then you just let it sit in the fridge and serve extra cool with coffee or a sweet liqueur at the end of the meal. Tasty and simple, like the best recipes of the Italian culinary tradition!

 

This summer was definitely different from what we expected, but with travel plans on hold, and vacations postponed it is the perfect time to experiment with new recipes and let new tastes bring us to foreign places!

 

 

Our shopping list for summer:

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