Ask Katie Seasonal SUMMER RECIPES Collection

Colourful baby pepper salad with pickled onions, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs and creamy cheese, a bright seasonal dish perfect for summer recipes and warm-weather entertaining.

Baby Pepper Salad with Pickled Onions and Chèvre

Cape Malay chicken curry with tender chicken and potatoes in a fragrant spiced sauce, served with fluffy rice and warm zucchini sambal for a classic South African-inspired meal.

Cape Malay Chicken Curry with Warm Zucchini Sambal

Colourful black rice chicken bowls with lemon chicken, sweet peppers, broccoli, and a cooling herb yogurt sauce.

Charred Vegetable Black Rice Bowls with Lemon Chicken

Homemade chicken and rice soup made with slow-simmered stock, tender shredded chicken, vegetables and rice, finished with fresh herbs for a comforting family meal.

Chicken and Rice Soup with Slow-Simmered Stock

Chicken saltimbocca pasta with tender chicken, prosciutto, spinach and sage tossed through ribbon pasta in a light, savoury sauce inspired by the classic Italian dish.

Chicken Saltimbocca Pasta with Sage and Spinach

Chickpea crostini topped with a zesty mixture of chickpeas, tomatoes, capers and lemon, served on toasted baguette slices and finished with fresh herbs.

Chickpea and Tomato Crostini with Capers and Lemon

Creamy green chicken enchiladas filled with shredded chicken and topped with a rich green sauce, served alongside Mexican-style red rice and garnished with fresh spring onions.

Creamy Green Chicken Enchiladas and Mashed Beans

Creamy Mushroom Puff Pastry Pies

Creamy Saffron Seafood Risotto with Lobster

Creamy green bean pasta with shallots, fresh herbs and golden breadcrumbs, tossed through penne in a light, silky sauce and finished with Parmesan.

Creamy Shallot and Green Bean Pasta with Golden Crumbs

Creamy Tuscan chicken with orzo, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich Parmesan sauce, finished with tender chicken and fresh herbs for an easy Italian-inspired dinner.

Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Chicken chorizo gumbo with tender chicken, smoky chorizo and vegetables in a rich Creole-style gravy, served with creamy mashed potatoes and finished with fresh spring onions.

Creole Chicken and Chorizo Gumbo with Mash

Golden roast potatoes with crispy skins, smoky streaky bacon and fresh spring onions scattered over a baking tray, making an easy side dish for family dinners and entertaining.

Crispy Roast Potatoes with Streaky Bacon and Spring Onions

Easy weeknight roast chicken with golden crispy skin, roasted onion and simple seasoning, photographed whole and ready to carve for a comforting family dinner.

Easy Weeknight Roast Chicken with Crispy Skin

Garlic chicken stir-fry with colourful vegetables, sesame seeds and spring onions, tossed in an easy Asian sauce for a quick and flavour-packed weeknight dinner.

Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Easy Asian Sauce

Golden shawarma hummus topped with roasted chickpeas, pickled red onions, chilli sauce and warm flatbread, served as a colourful Middle Eastern-inspired sharing platter.

Golden Shawarma Hummus with Roasted Chickpeas

Heirloom tomato and arugula salad with colourful tomatoes, peppery greens, Parmesan shavings and golden croutons, tossed in a light vinaigrette for an easy summer salad.

Heirloom Tomato and Parmesan Arugula Salad

House Kale Salad with Parmesan Dijon Dressing

Italian Summer Vegetable Gratin showcases roasted zucchini, eggplant, fresh herbs, and homemade garlic bread in a fresh, vegetable-forward summer dinner.

Italian Summer Vegetable Gratin with Garlic Bread

Japanese Steakhouse Fried Rice with Scrambled Egg

Loaded sweetcorn fritters topped with crispy bacon, spring onions and soft poached eggs with golden yolks, creating a hearty brunch dish packed with flavour and texture.

Loaded Sweetcorn Fritters with Soft Poached Egg

Hearty minestrone soup with orecchiette pasta, white beans, vegetables and Parmesan, simmered in a rich tomato broth for a comforting and satisfying family meal.

Minestrone Soup with Orecchiette and Parmesan

Quick Vegetarian Mexican-Style Red Rice

Smoked paprika garlic hamburgers topped with peppery rocket, red onion and a creamy mayo mustard sauce, served on toasted sesame seed buns for a juicy homemade burger night.

Smoked Paprika Garlic Hamburgers with Mayo Mustard

Golden chicken and chorizo paella with peas and lemon, served family-style with a bowl of paella in the background.

Smoky Chicken and Chorizo Paella with Saffron Rice

South African Malva Puddings with Cream Sauce

Spicy sausage rolls wrapped in golden flaky pastry with onion and thyme, baked until crisp and served as a crowd-pleasing appetiser, party snack or picnic favourite.

Spicy Sausage Rolls with Onion and Thyme

Summer Vegetable Couscous with Basil Dressing

Sweet and Spicy Mixed Pepper Preserves

Takeaway-style beef shawarma wrapped in warm flatbread with pickled cabbage, fresh vegetables and creamy garlic sauce, inspired by the bold flavours of a classic street food favourite.

Takeaway-Style Beef Shawarma and Pickled Cabbage

Rich tomato chutney simmered with chilli, onions and warm spices, creating a sweet, tangy condiment that pairs beautifully with curries, cheese boards, grilled meats and sandwiches.

Tomato Chutney with Chilli and Warm Spices

Tuscan Bean Stew with Creamy Poached Egg

Vegetarian Chickpea and Bean Gumbo with Okra

Summer cooking should feel generous, uncomplicated, and full of flavour. It is the season of ripe tomatoes, sweet peppers, fresh herbs, outdoor meals, and recipes that make the most of produce at its peak. Whether you're looking for easy weeknight dinners, colourful summer salads, backyard entertaining ideas, or dishes that celebrate the best ingredients of the season, this collection is designed to help you cook confidently all summer long.

At Ask Katie, you'll find recipes inspired by the flavours that have shaped my kitchen over the years. South African favourites sit comfortably alongside Mediterranean dishes, Middle Eastern influences, family comfort food, and the occasional restaurant-inspired classic. Rather than chasing trends, I focus on recipes that people actually want to cook and eat again. The goal is simple: approachable food with real flavour, clear instructions, and ingredients you can find without turning grocery shopping into a treasure hunt.

Many food websites seem determined to convince you that every meal requires twelve specialty ingredients, three appliances, and a free afternoon. I take a different approach. These recipes are developed for busy home cooks who want reliable results, sensible techniques, and dishes worth sharing with family and friends. If a recipe earns a permanent place in your rotation, it has done its job.

This summer recipe collection will continue to grow as new recipes are tested, photographed, and published. Expect everything from fresh seasonal salads and vegetable-forward sides to comforting mains, entertaining dishes, homemade condiments, and globally inspired favourites. If you enjoy practical cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food that balances flavour with everyday reality, be sure to check back often. There is plenty more coming from the Ask Katie kitchen.