Filipino Chicken Soup (Tinola)

Tinola, a favourite on Filipino dinner tables, is made in many variations. The most traditional vegetables used in this soup are green (unripe) papaya or chayote squash, but other green squashes and melons are used, too. Zucchini makes a fine substitute; just make sure to take out the seeds and soft core. The soup is traditionally finished with herbal leaves, such as those of the native malunggay tree, or with chili leaves, the small tender leaves of hot pepper plants, which are tasty but not hot; watercress lends a similar flavour. Use a free-range chicken; if you buy the poultry at an Asian market, you get the head and feet, too, which add lots of extra flavour to the broth.

Grilled Flank Steak with Herbed Butter

Harissa Grilled Chicken with Spiced Whole Grains

Harissa paste—a North African condiment made with chilies, cumin and coriander—spices up this simple grilled dish. On another night, try the harissa glaze on grilled steak or salmon.

Great Gazpacho

Fiery looking in a bowl but cool on a spoon, gazpacho is a hot-weather dish from Spain. Although traditional, there's nothing old-fashioned about this refreshing half salad/half soup that's make-ahead, low in fat and high in garden-fresh flavour. Whether it's peppered-up Fire and Ice, the milder classic version or any of the herb variations, a bowl of this chunky soup makes an easy beginning to summer meal or satisfying weeknight supper.

Grilled Chicken and Melon Salad

This lunch or light supper salad is a cornucopia of sweet melon, mellow avocado, savoury grilled chicken and bright citrus flavourings. You can prepare the dressing, grill the chicken and scoop out the melons earlier in the day for last-minute assembly.

Roasted Leeks with Parmesan

Chipotle Salsa

Smoky and with a zing of heat, this big-batch salsa brightens up any kind of dish all year round.

Chunky Gazpacho Soup

You can substitute field cucumbers in this spicy soup, but be sure to seed them. Tote the soup to the picnic in a chilled flask and pack the garnish separately.

Chilled Avocado & Watercress Soup

To give this velvety soup a smoother texture, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve. If you can't find watercress, arugula makes a good substitute.

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