Stimulate Your Summer Appetite With These Fresh Ingredients from You Local Farmer’s Market
At Lineage, we find harmony and peace through sharing connections with loved ones. This summer, more than ever, we are striving to find those heartfelt moments with our friends and family. After a year of virtual meets and holidays, take a moment to soak up the sunshine and prepare a meal for those special to you with local summer produce.
Summertime boasts an abundance of in-season produce that you can explore, and we’ve gathered a few of our favourite fresh fruits and vegetables to inspire you. Along with each pick, we’ve included a delicious and nutritious recipe to get you started. Feel free to get creative and introduce your own personal touch to satisfy your guests’ tastebuds.
We encourage you to include your guests in the preparation. Browse your local farmer’s market together for all the fresh ingredients. A few of our favourite Vancouver markets are Kitislano and Riley Park. Take your haul back to your place for some cocktails and cook the meal together. Memories made while cooking are the ones that last lifetimes.
RHUBARB
(📸: @cookingjourneyblog)
Rhubarb is one of those understated vegetables that is commonly paired with fruits. Its tart taste goes well with the sweetness of strawberries and tastes wonderful in many desserts, or in a fresh summer salad like this Rhubarb, Strawberry and Apple Salad from Cooking Journey.
CAULIFLOWER
Replace your standard carb with this cruciferous vegetable high in Vitamin B and rich in antioxidants. It also contains fibre that is essential for digestion and choline that enhances your learning and memory. We love these Cauliflower Rice Lettuce Cups because they pack in all the nutrient-rich benefits of cauliflower with the addition of a spicy sriracha peanut sauce.
SWISS CHARD
This leafy green is a powerhouse of nutrition, full of many different vitamins and minerals. Swiss Chard is an excellent source of vitamins K, A, and C, and the rainbow of stem colours create an enticing appeal to any dish. This simple yet savoury Sauteed Swiss Chard recipe from Healthy Seasonal Recipes is the perfect side to any summer meal. Be as creative as you like and add nuts or seeds to complement it. Or add it to your favourite pasta for an instant flavour upgrade.
PEACHES
You can find sweet peaches in a variety of dishes, their golden-yellow hue offering a delectable visual. Peaches are also delicious all on their own, but paired with fresh mache, avocado and feta, this Mache + Peach Salad from Sprouted Kitchen is perfect for any picnic.
FRESH FRUIT
Having an abundance of fresh fruit in season during the summer creates an especially lovely problem – which one to pick. Take the opportunity to indulge in an array of fresh fruit with these Grilled Fruit Kabobs with Cinnamon Honey Glaze. Grilling brings out the natural sugars in the fruit, making it a healthy alternative to satisfy that sweet tooth.
ALTERNATIVE TO FRESH FRUIT: LEEKS
Leeks are an underestimated vegetable and offer the same flavour of onion while being rich in antioxidants and Vitamin K. They add a sweet oniony flavour to pastas, soups, and even on pizza! Brighten up your Sunday brunch with this dish featuring Braised Eggs with Leeks.
We hope these delicious recipes have inspired you to reach out to those you love and create memories that will outlast the sunny summer days. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more radiant and scrumptious suggestions to make your summer unforgettable — don’t forget to check out the newest Lineage collection (if you haven’t already!).