Rosé All Day: Light Bites for Summer Sipping

This time of year my cooking becomes more of an assembly job, so this week’s recipes are about getting the balance right of celebrating in season ingredients without having to go to too much trouble. Food that pairs perfectly with a chilled glass of rosé but still feels like a proper grown up meal- whether that’s the crunch of crispy noodles, a spoonful of cool labneh, or potatoes dressed up in crème fraîche- this collection of some of my favourite summer recipes has you covered.

Crunchy Rice Noodles with Greens Salad

First up, these Crunchy Rice Noodles with Greens Salad. Flat rice noodles get tossed with a punchy dressing (that’s blitzed in seconds), while edamame and avocado bulk things up. The real trick here? Shop-bought crispy onions. Don’t overthink it: sprinkle them over for crunch and salt. You could faff with frying your own but save yourself the grief and get this vibrant bowl to the table in minutes.

Get the recipe HERE

Hot Smoked Salmon & Potato Salad with Lemon Crème Fraîche Dressing

Next, something inspired from a recent trip to the south of Sweden to visit family, that feels like the best of a Scandinavian summer lunch: Hot Smoked Salmon & Potato Salad with Lemon Crème Fraîche Dressing. If you’ve never combined smoked salmon with potatoes, this is the ultimate in fresh summer simplicity. The key here is contrast, smoky, flaky salmon against creamy potatoes and the zip & pep of lemon. And don’t skimp on the dill, you want generous handfuls through this simple plate.

Get the recipe HERE

Labneh Dip with Rose Harissa

Finally, this Labneh Dip with Rose Harissa looks restaurant-level but couldn’t be easier. The only real prep is straining yoghurt overnight- though you can cheat and skip the step if you need instant results. Beyond that, you’re assembling: spiced chickpeas (done in the air fryer for max crisp), marinated olives (straight from a jar if you’re short on time), and flatbreads crisped in the oven with sesame oil. The rose harissa swirl isn’t just for show- if you spot jars of it, nab them, it brings smoky heat that cuts through the creaminess of the labneh.

Get the recipe HERE

Every single recipe here works as a platter on the table, not plated individually. Let people serve themselves, top up their glasses, and get stuck in.

Photography Credit: Donal Skehan & Tara Fisher

Food Styling Credit: Charlotte O’Connell

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