Light lunches for Hot Summer Days

Longer days invite you to take your time and relish each moment. Terraces are located in picturesque places, tempting you to have a seat and relax. Sun-drenched ingredients appear on every plate. Summer is just one big invitation to slow down and savour its many pleasures. A light lunch on a sunny day doesn't have to involve club sandwiches and Caesar salads, as timeless as they may be. And while burgers are delicious, they don’t always have to include meat, cheese, onions and pickles on a sesame seed bun. What can be found on today’s light lunch menus are local in-season products, assembled with finesse and imagination to surprise your tastebuds and delight family or friends. Here are just a few of the tasty dishes to try this summer.

Steamy summer days can leave you craving something chilled and refreshing at lunchtime. An artichoke and lobster salad really hits the spot. Chopped, diced, combined with low-calorie mayonnaise and drizzled with a seaweed vinaigrette, the ingredients achieve their full potential while leaving no trace on your waistline.

There are many reasons to skip meat, even if only from time to time. The most compelling reasons are sustainability and health. That's why chefs today are coming up with a multitude of ways to make sure we and future generations stop equating burgers with beef. Try some of these exciting veggie burger ideas at your next barbecue party.

When a salad will not suffice, how does a plate of juicy duck breast and roasted polenta sound? Take a look at this tasty dish with in-season peaches and fruity sangria reduction. Its mouthwatering goodness won’t last long on your plate! The Signature Burger by Chef Olivier Sébastien, with onion confit and a generous slice of foie gras, is another way to satisfy carnivorous cravings.

Bring out your inner pastry chef and please your inner child with these creative summer recipes. Impress guests with My Sweet Nem, fruit-filled spring rolls drizzled with a warm chocolate sauce. This upside down strawberry pie on a bed of matcha cream is surprisingly easy to make. Or perhaps you’d prefer a gourmet chocolate eclair to accompany a cup of freshly roasted coffee? However you like to satisfy your sweet tooth, be sure to always add a dash of creativity and a large helping of indulgence.