Seven Easy Greek Recipes That Taste Like Summer

There are few cuisines that celebrate summer quite like Greek cooking.

When the temperatures climb, the best meals become wonderfully uncomplicated: ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, fragrant herbs, creamy feta and generous glugs of extra virgin olive oil. It's the kind of food that invites everyone to linger around the table just a little longer.

Whether you're planning a relaxed lunch in the garden, a seaside-inspired dinner or simply looking for fresh ideas during the warmer months, these easy Greek recipes capture the very best of the season.

No Greek summer table is complete without a classic horiatiki. This iconic salad proves that the simplest ingredients often make the most memorable meals.

You'll need:

• Ripe tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Red onion
• Green pepper (optional)
• Kalamata olives
• Feta
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Dried oregano
• A pinch of salt

Simply chop the vegetables into generous chunks, scatter over the olives and place a thick slice (or a few chunks) of feta on top. Finish with a generous drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of oregano and a little salt. Serve alongside fresh, crusty bread to mop up every last drop of those delicious juices.

Cooling, refreshing and incredibly versatile, tzatziki is a staple throughout the summer months. It works beautifully as a dip, a side dish or a sauce for grilled meats and vegetables.

You'll need:

• Greek yoghurt
• Grated cucumber, squeezed to remove excess moisture
• Garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon juice or white wine vinegar
• Fresh dill or mint
• Salt

Mix everything together until smooth and creamy, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. The flavours become even better as they mingle.

Originating from Crete, dakos is a wonderfully rustic dish that's both satisfying and refreshingly light.

You'll need:

• Barley rusks (or toasted country bread)
• Ripe tomatoes
• Feta or mizithra
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Oregano
• Kalamata olives
• Capers (optional)

Lightly moisten the rusks with a splash of water, then top generously with grated or finely chopped tomatoes. Add the cheese, drizzle liberally with olive oil and finish with oregano, olives and capers for an extra burst of flavour.

Few aromas say "Greek summer" quite like chicken sizzling on the barbecue with lemon and oregano.

For the marinade, combine:

• Juice of two lemons
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Crushed garlic
• Dried oregano
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Leave the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes before grilling until beautifully golden and cooked through. Serve with horiatiki and a generous spoonful of tzatziki for an effortless summer feast.

Sweet, salty and wonderfully refreshing, watermelon and feta are one of summer's most surprising — and most successful — pairings.

You'll need:

• Watermelon, cut into cubes
• Feta
• Fresh mint
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Lemon or lime juice
• Freshly ground black pepper

Combine everything in a large serving bowl and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and citrus juice. It's colourful, cooling and ideal for the hottest days of the year.

Although gemista spend a little longer in the oven, they're still one of the defining dishes of the Greek summer. They're equally delicious served warm or at room temperature, making them perfect for entertaining.

For the filling you'll need:

• Rice
• Onion
• Garlic
• Chopped tomatoes
• Fresh parsley
• Fresh mint
• Extra virgin olive oil

Carefully hollow out large tomatoes and fill them with the rice mixture. Drizzle generously with olive oil before baking until the tomatoes are tender and the filling is perfectly cooked.

If you're hosting friends or family, there's no need to overcomplicate things. A menu built around fresh, seasonal ingredients is always a winner.

Start with creamy tzatziki served alongside warm pitta bread and olives. Follow with lemon and oregano grilled chicken accompanied by a traditional horiatiki salad. Finish on a refreshing note with chilled watermelon drizzled with a little honey and scattered with toasted pistachios.

Greek summer cooking isn't about elaborate techniques or lengthy ingredient lists. It's about making the most of beautiful produce, sharing generous plates and enjoying meals that bring everyone together.

And when the ingredients are this good, simplicity really is the secret ingredient.