On a wet summer day, food writer Sarah Tuck likes to make pasta with peak-season tomatoes, eggplant and zucchini.
"I just absolutely love pastas made with stuff that's well in season," the dish magazine editor tells Anna Thomas.
Photo: Josh Griggs
Food writer and Dish editor Sarah Tuck. Photo: Supplied
Sarah makes a summer pasta sauce from an oven-roasted tray of halved cherry tomatoes, black olives, garlic, chilli flakes, olive oil, oregano and the finely grated zest and juice of an orange and a lemon.
The cooked sauce is then stirred through cooked spaghetti and topped with buffalo mozzarella, ricotta or burrata, basil leaves and a good grind of salt and pepper.
For a simple zucchini pasta, Sarah tosses through sliced zucchini that's been fried up with a diced onion, lemon zest and garlic.
For a simple eggplant pasta, she loads a baking tray with sliced eggplant (topped with lots of olive oil), tomatoes, olives, lots of salt and pepper.
Eggplant, Spinach and Couscous Salad with Lemony Yoghurt Dressing ( Photo: Josh Griggs
Roasted eggplant is great in salads, too, Sarah says.
Here's her recipe for Eggplant, Spinach and Couscous Salad with Lemony Yoghurt Dressing
A big salad like this with added protein is one of Sarah's favourite one-dish dinners - and, in summer, pizzas and burgers.
Here's her recipe for Spicy Salami, Prosciutto and Mozzarella Pizza.
Sarah's favourite sweet treat for summer picnics is Salty Peanut, Raisin and Dark Chocolate Bars. "It's like scroggin but better."
The new cookbook dish SUMMER out is now. Find more summer recipes from dish here.
Salty Peanut, Raisin and Dark Chocolate Bars Photo: Josh Griggs
Sarah Tuck on RNZ:
Listen - Sarah Tuck on 'sad-arse dinners for one' and her debut cookbook Coming Unstuck
Listen - Sarah Tuck on her cookbook Stuck Together
Listen - Sarah Tuck talks about The Well - a mental health-focussed gym in Wellington
More Sarah Tuck recipes from the RNZ collection:
"This is so bloody delicious, the flavours work like magic together and it is ready in no time - a perfect sad-arse dinner!"
Salmon & rice salad by Sarah Tuck Photo: supplied
"Ready in a flash, this pasta with a kick is the perfect midweek meal solution, but also delicious enough to serve to friends."
Chilli Prawn Pasta Photo: Sarah Tuck
"I always leave the skin on when roasting the pumpkin as it adds a lovely texture and flavour to the salad."
Roasted Pumpkin, Buckwheat and Herb Salad (gf) (v) Photo: Sarah Tuck, Editor of Dish
"These brownies are outrageously addictive with their sneaky, surprise hit of chilli heat."
Chilli, Orange and White Chocolate Brownies Photo: Sarah Tuck
"These fabulous zesty morsels are deceptively simple to make but a sure-fire party hit."
Photo: Supplied
