3 days ago
What to cook in August: Budget-friendly recipes using peak summer produce
As we reach the heart of summer, fruits and vegetables are at their peak, showing off their shiny skins and big leaves in our gardens and markets. August is a great time to discover new recipes that let these late-summer stars shine — juicy tomatoes, sweet peaches, vibrant zucchinis and gleaming eggplants. Or, say yes to baskets of cucumbers, cherries and peaches that are on sale and try your hand at preserves.
Cookbook author and preserving expert Camilla Wynne recently shared some seasonal know-how with CBC Life, including tips for making budget-friendly preserves and a case for why summer is the best time to bake. "You need to turn on your oven to truly experience the full potential of the season's offerings," she says.
This month's recipe roundup brings together budget-friendly dishes that put August's local fruits and vegetables front and centre in many forms, whether you're preparing something to enjoy right away or stocking your pantry for later. Some recipes let the raw ingredients speak for themselves, like Montreal restaurant Elena's tomato tonnato, layering ripe heirloom tomatoes with silky sauce, savoury breadcrumbs and fried capers. Others, like Amina Al-Saigh's eggplant and potato bake inspired by Iraqi tepsi baytinijan, turn seasonal vegetables into rich and comforting casseroles.
And if tomatoes are your seasonal obsession, don't miss out on the tomato flights trend — it's a fun way to entertain using August's scene-stealer.
Tomato tonnato
Crispy smashed potatoes with tomatoes, feta and mint
Zucchini dal
Vegetarian maqluba
Ground beef, eggplant and potato casserole
Khorak bademjoon
Mango, corn and peanut salad
Blueberry sweet rolls with mascarpone frosting
