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The festive season may be behind us, but that does not mean your taste buds have to suffer. Summer calls for fresh, light meals and just because it is healthy does not mean it has to be boring.

Paul Meyer, Group Food and Beverage Development Manager at First Group Hotels and Resorts, knows this better than anyone. “For me, the festive season is not about gifts. It is about being together. Good food brings people around a table and those moments stay with you long after the dishes are done,” he says.

With that in mind, Meyer shares two tried and tested recipes that bring flavour, texture, and fun to your summer meals.

Summer Salad: Crisp, Colourful, and Bursting with Flavour

This salad is a feast for the senses, combining crunchy, creamy, and salty elements in every bite.

Serves: 6 | Prep Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 bags mixed baby salad leaves (add microgreens if you like)
• 1 bunch beetroot, cooked and cleaned
• 300g Parma ham
• 1 bag ready-made croutons (or make your own, see method)
• 100g pine kernels, toasted

Dressing:

• 100ml olive oil
• 25ml balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

Method:

1. Arrange salad leaves on a large platter. Slice beetroot into ½cm rounds and layer over the leaves.
2. Add Parma ham and sprinkle croutons and pine kernels on top.
3. Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and crushed garlic for the dressing and drizzle over.

Low-Fat Crouton Option: Slice white bread into 1.5cm cubes and bake at 180°C until golden brown.

Sweetcorn Bake: The Braai Side That Steals the Show

Perfect for a family braai, this creamy, cheesy bake is so good people might forget about the meat.

Serves: 4 (double for more) | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Bake Time: 30–40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 x 410g creamed sweetcorn
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 200ml grated cheddar cheese (±80g)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 30ml cake flour
• 10ml baking powder
• 3ml cayenne pepper

Method:

1. Mix sweetcorn with onion, half the cheese (±40g), and the egg in a bowl.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, and cayenne pepper together and fold into the mixture.
3. Pour batter into a greased ovenproof dish, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and bake at 180°C for 30–40 minutes until golden brown.

“These recipes are best served in the company of loved ones,” Meyer says. “Slow down, spend time together, and celebrate the season with good food and good cheer.”