With the sun out and the temperatures rising plus kids off school it's time to enjoy some lunches outside at home. I've shared my favourite healthy picnic recipes before but this time I wish I could say that these Delicious Summer Lunches were all healthy but you know what a little of what you like isn't bad for you at all. Many of these are also great to share with friends and family as you spend time together this summer.
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Grilled Recipes for Summer Lunches
Get the grill out or even put these delicious ideas for summer lunches under the grill inside and enjoy together with friends and family.
These simple Pesto Crusted Pork Chops are a favourite of ours - I even make the Pesto cheese free for my husband and he loves them.
If your garden like ours is producing more than it's fair share of Zucchini (or courgettes as we like to call them in the UK) then this recipe for Grilled Courgette Hummus Wraps from Maebells is one that you have to save and make. It is healthy and tastes delicious.
Chicken is always healthy right and this Grilled Chicken Avocado and Hummus Salad from Honey and Birch tastes amazing and if you make ahead you can eat it over the week just for yourself. The perfect lunch idea for busy mums and those of us that work from home and keep forgetting to have our lunch!
Another delicious Chicken Grilled dish - one that my husband and son won't touch but my daughter and I love this - Grilled Chicken Melt with Pesto and Sun Dried Tomato Spread from Foodie with Family.
We switched up this Blackened Fish Taco Recipe from Host the Toast and instead of pan frying it we used the griddle pan and it tasted amazing.
Chicken Salads and Lunches
When we moved last year we really didn't know how much our diet would change as we didn't realise we were less than 2 minutes walk away from a butchers and sausage shop. Suddenly we're eating much more meat than before but the quality is so much better than the supermarket. One of my favourites is to get some chicken and see what we can make with it.
Have I mentioned how much I love Greek Food to you - I spent a while living there and it's one of my favourite types of food. This Greek Chicken Pasta Salad from Budget Bites is an ideal lunch for me - it combines Pasta, Chicken and then Greek flavours - you really should give this one ago.
If you have left over chicken then you have to give this Five Ingredient Buffalo Chicken Roll Ups from Cooking for Keeps a try - they are easy to make and taste amazing (although I went a lighter with the hot sauce than my husband did).
Strawberry's aren't just for dessert you can use them for mains and lighter lunches as well this Strawberry Chicken Salad from the Recipe Critic tastes amazing the goats cheese finishes it off and gives even the strawberries a much more savoury flavour than normal.
We have these Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas for a quick and easy midweek dinner but there is no reason why you couldn't have it for lunch.
Another great chicken dish served hot or cold is our Cuban flavoured one pan chicken.
Sandwich Ideas for Lunches
If I'm in a hurry unless I'm planned ahead then the lunch I tend to go for is a sandwich it's easy and I always have a loaf of bread, some wraps or even pitta bread in the pantry or freezer.
I very rarely eat eggs but have started to now I can get them fresh and this Greek Yogurt Egg Salad Sandwich from Damn Delicious went done a hit with our friends when they visited.
Easy to make and tastes delicious this Caprese Sandwich from Jessica in the Kitchen is pretty much what I order whenever I go out for lunch. I love using freshly baked bread when I make it at home or store-bought panini and then grilling it a little so that the Mozzarella melts.
If you like Goats Cheese then you really need to give this Mashed Avocado Goat Cheese Open Sandwich with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes from Joyful Healthy Eats - if you are in a hurry then switch out the roasted cherry tomatoes for some sun dried ones (shhhh I won't tell) they taste as delicious as the roasted but saves some time.
My kids love making these Simple Lettuce Wraps - they are so easy and very healthy too.
I remember making something a little like this at University many years ago in the summer - it was refreshing and delicious so when I discovered this Avocado Egg Salad Roll Up from Ohhh my Goodness Chocolate Desserts I knew that I would love it and I can guarantee if you like Egg and Avocado then you will too.
Cuban food is delicious and this Cuban Sandwich from Hapa Nom Nom is no exception.
These Easy Bruschetta's are a favourite of my kids - they can make them themselves and all I do is provide a choice of different toppings for them to use.
Meat Free Sandwiches
Because I know not everyone loves meat for vegetarians I recommend this Green Goddess Sandwich from The Bojon Gourmet - or to have on a meat free Monday too.
These mini taco's are ideal for quick and these Baked Black Bean Taquitos from Naturally Ella are perfect finger food size for summer lunches with friends.
Make these Avocado Chickpea Salad Sandwiches from Yummy Healthy Easy with homemade wholewheat bread and you can't go wrong. Everyone will love them and they are really filling.
Salads for Summer Lunches
Light on the stomach and usually quick to throw together Salads are an ideal meal for summer lunches. Make ahead and store in the fridge and then serve up throughout the week for easy meal prep.
It wasn't that long ago that I discovered Quinoa and I have been trying out different recipes since this Honey Lime Quinoa Fruit Salad from The Recipe Critic tastes amazing - honey and lime go together so well and the quinoa in it really fills you up for the rest of the day.
Of the many cheese that we buy over the year there is one that we get without fail every single week and that is Feta - one of the dishes that I tried recently with it in was this Asparagus, Tomato and Feta Salad from Cooking Classy the nuts in it were the perfect finish and I've now added it to my lunch meal plans for the Asparagus Season.
Growing up my Nan used to make something a little similar to this Broccoli Apple Salad from The Recipe Critic - I think it's probably the combination of Walnut and Apple something that she loved and used to cook with a lot.
One that I made especially for my husband was this Crab Pasta Salad from Wine and Glue - as I can't eat Sea Food it's all his recommendation that it's made it onto this list and he's a fussy eater so it must be good.
This last salad was a firm favourite with myself and my daughter it includes 5 of our favourite things and I would recommend you giving it a go as well - Blueberry Caprese Salad from Love and Olive Oil
Other Ideas for Summer Lunches
Grilling, Salads and Sandwiches are always good for lunches but you don't have to stick with them. Why not try a homemade pizza that you all can share especially great as you can make ahead.
This Cheesy Hassleback Zucchini (courgette) pizza from Peas and Crayons was THE FIRST recipe that I tried with the courgettes this year. It was delicious and so light compared to a bread pizza but still had a lot of the flavours.
Spring rolls make a great finger treat for when you have guests for a summer lunch and these Green Bean Spring Roll Recipe from Naturally Ella taste fantastic add a little dipping sauce and you have the perfect light summer lunch.
Our Italian Tart is a cheats summer lunch and great for throwing together when you need something a little bit filling.
Pair these Summer Lunches with some delicious Watermelon Recipes
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Cerys Parker
Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, high school teacher and mum. Realising that life doesn't have to be put on hold and you don't just have to survive whilst the kids are young she shares ideas to inspire you to LIVE with the kids, with activities to do together, recipes to cook and enjoy and family travel to make memories to last a lifetime.
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