Here are the three best Catalan summer recipes you can prepare effortlessly and enjoy the sunny days to the fullest.

1. Escalivada

Escalivada is a Catalan delight known for its simplicity and flavor. This dish mainly consists of roasted vegetables, making it ideal for a light and refreshing meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 red bell peppers


• 1 eggplant


• 2 onions


• 2 tomatoes


• Extra virgin olive oil


• Salt


• Vinegar (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).


2. Wash the vegetables and place them whole on a baking tray.


3. Roast the vegetables for about 45 minutes, or until tender and the pepper skins are slightly charred.


4. Let the vegetables cool, then peel them. Cut the peppers, eggplant, and onions into strips, and the tomatoes into slices.


5. Arrange the vegetables on a plate and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and a splash of vinegar if desired.


6. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

2. Catalan Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a cold soup perfect for beating the heat, and in Catalonia, it is given a special touch with fresh ingredients from the local garden.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) ripe tomatoes


• 1 cucumber


• 1 green bell pepper


• 1 red bell pepper


• 1 garlic clove


• 1/2 onion


• 2 slices of stale bread


• Extra virgin olive oil


• White wine vinegar


• Salt

Preparation:

1. Wash and chop the tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, garlic, and onion.


2. Soak the bread in water for a few minutes until soft.


3. In a blender, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, garlic, and onion with the soaked bread.


4. Add a good drizzle of olive oil, a bit of vinegar, and salt to taste.


5. Blend until smooth and homogeneous.


6. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove any skins and seeds.


7. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

3. Coca de Recapte

Coca de Recapte is a type of Catalan pizza that can be enjoyed hot or cold, making it perfect for a summer picnic.

Ingredients:

• 500 g (4 cups) wheat flour


• 250 ml (1 cup) water


• 50 ml (1/4 cup) extra virgin olive oil


• 10 g (2 tsp) salt


• 20 g (4 tsp) fresh yeast


• 1 red bell pepper


• 1 eggplant


• 2 tomatoes


• 2 cans of tuna in oil


• Black olives (optional)

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).


2. In a bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water.


3. Add the flour, oil, and salt, and mix well until you have a homogeneous dough.


4. Knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is elastic and smooth.


5. Let the dough rest in a bowl covered with a cloth for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.


6. Meanwhile, roast the pepper and eggplant in the oven, then peel and cut into strips.


7. Roll out the dough on a greased baking tray, forming a thin, rectangular base.


8. Arrange the pepper, eggplant strips, tomato slices, and crumbled tuna over the dough.


9. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and crispy.


10. Garnish with black olives if desired and let cool slightly before serving.

These Catalan recipes are not only easy to prepare but also capture the essence of Mediterranean flavors, making them perfect for enjoying on warm summer days. Try them out and impress your guests with these traditional and refreshing dishes!