​Seasonal Recipes for July

The weather may have been up and down so far this summer, but there are still plenty of delicious recipes you can make with seasonal fruit and vegetables, whether you've had success with your own 'grow your own' projects, or you can source delicious local produce.

Which foods are in season in July?

There are plenty of seasonal home-grown veg available at the moment, including artichoke, beetroot, broccoli, carrots, courgettes, new potatoes, spring onions and tomatoes. In terms of summer fruit, you can enjoy local blueberries, peaches, strawberries, gooseberries, cherries, apples and raspberries.

This is also the traditional time of year for seasonal lamb and rabbit, plus a range of fish, including cod, haddock, salmon, sea trout, whelks and whitebait, so if you're lucky enough to live close to the coast, you might see some exciting catches at your local fishmonger.

Looking for Summer Recipe Ideas?

This is the season to be cooking with nutritious, fresh ingredients and plenty of colour!

Many people grow beetroot as it's very easy to plant in the garden or allotment. Beetroot has a rich and earthy flavour that tastes wonderful roasted with garlic, seasoning and balsamic vinegar, and then served with sharp goat's cheese. It makes a wonderful fresh soup too, such as cold Borscht, or can be whizzed up into a deeply coloured houmous.

Chilled Beetroot Borscht

This version of Borscht can be served hot or cold. It uses fresh beetroot and cucumber, chilled vegetable stock and a dollop of sour cream to make a wonderfully flavoursome, nutritious and vibrant soup that is great for a warm day: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/139247/cold-russian-borscht/

Borscht can also travel if you store it in glass jars such as Mason jars and then pop it in the fridge ready for transportation. Add your sour cream and any toppings, such as a sprinkle of croutons or herbs before you go.

Blueberry Cobbler

If you love comfort food and fresh berries, then this blueberry cobbler will tick all the boxes. It's easy to make, and you can cook it with fresh or frozen blueberries. Serve it in enamelware (https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/enamelware/), and it will look beautifully traditional and really finish off a Sunday roast perfectly. This will be particularly popular if the weather stays on the cool and dull side, served with custard and cream. However, if the temperatures rise, serve it chilled with ice cream!

The cobbler basically combines sweet berries that cook in their own juice, sharpened with a little lemon, and a sweet batter that makes a cake-like topping. So indulgent! Here's a great recipe to try: https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/blueberry-cobbler/

Raspberry Cordial

If you've got a little glut of raspberries in the garden, then why not make your own cordial? It will taste better than anything you could buy in the shops, and it will be free from artificial colours and flavourings, too. This raspberry cordial simply uses fresh raspberries, sugar and lime juice, and it's very easy to make. Store it in sterilised glass bottles, and it will look wonderful in your fridge. You could gift these too! The cordial also makes a great mixer for cocktails so it will be in high demand this summer!

This is a great recipe to follow: https://www.recipesmadeeasy.co.uk/homemade-raspberry-cordial/

Other Easy Summer Recipe Ideas

Make a layered summer salad in a glass jar - add your dressing to the bottom, layer your salad, nuts, protein and pulses on top, add a handful of fresh herbs and tip it upside down to shake in the dressing when you're ready to eat it. The same principle works if you're making a Greek Yoghurt breakfast with granola, chopped nuts and fresh fruit from the garden - berries or peaches work brilliantly. If you're using chopped apple, then toss it in a little lemon juice first to avoid discolouration.

You could also make a roasted pepper soup which will store beautifully in glass jars. Simply roast peppers and onions, then blend the soft and lightly charred roasted vegetables with vegetable stock. Add a little mascarpone and plenty of seasoning. This is such a nutritious and simple soup, and you can adjust it to suit your taste with extras such as a dash of cayenne for a spicy kick.

Stock up on Glass Jars at Wares

If you're planning a batch cook, stock up on your glass bottles (https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/glass-bottles) and glass jars (https://www.waresofknutsford.co.uk/jars/jam-jars/) at Wares of Knutsford today. We have a huge range covering all types of lids, sizes and designs, suitable for every kitchen project. Our prices are excellent and we offer discounts for bulk buys, with highly competitive rates for delivery too. For any queries, our team are on hand to assist and we are renowned for our superb customer service. Come and discover the Wares of Knutsford difference today! Why not sign up for our newsletter too for all of the latest products, news, competitions and inspiration from the Wares team, or follow us on social media so you're always in the loop!