July fruits and vegetables: what you need to know

Summer is officially here! It’s time to visit your local greengrocer and stock up on seasonal ingredients. July fruit and vegetables are often more affordable and tastier, and choosing what’s in season can be a more environmentally conscious option. Here’s what to put on your shopping list for a varied, balanced diet, followed by four easy, light recipes, from gazpacho to blackberry cream.

Which July fruit and vegetables should you put on your plate?

Fruit and vegetables are a key part of a healthy, varied and balanced diet. Here are some to enjoy in July!

• aubergine
• broccoli
• cucumber
• spinach
• bell pepper
• apricot
• lemon
• mango
• blackberry
• watermelon

4 easy recipe ideas with July fruits and vegetables

Aubergine and lemon salad

Aubergine and lemon are both among the best fruits and vegetables of July — so enjoy this recipe completely guilt-free!

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 2 aubergines
• Juice of one lemon
• 1 pot of fromage blanc
• ½ shallot
• A few mint leaves
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Pepper (or spices of your choice)

Method

1. Wash the aubergines, cut them into large cubes and cook them in a frying pan for a few minutes.
2. Meanwhile, peel and finely slice the shallot. Add the lemon juice, fromage blanc, olive oil and pepper. Mix well.
3. Once the aubergines have cooled, add them to the mixture and gently toss to coat every piece.
4. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 2 hours.
5. Add the mint leaves just before serving. Ready to enjoy!

Cucumber and spinach gazpacho

Spinach and cucumber make a lovely pairing in this fresh, cooling recipe!

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 large handful of fresh spinach
• ½ cucumber
• 1 small garlic clove
• 1 pot of fromage blanc
• Salt, pepper

Method

1. Peel the cucumber, cut it into pieces and place in a blender.
2. Peel the garlic clove and add it to the blender along with the remaining ingredients.
3. Blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, add a little water and blend again.
4. Chill the gazpacho for 3 hours, then serve and enjoy!

Mango mousse

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 mango
• 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp liquid honey
• 150g fromage blanc
• 4 strawberries

Method

1. Peel the mango and cut it into large pieces. Put it in a blender with the honey and fromage blanc.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. In a bowl, whisk the egg white until stiff peaks form.
4. Gently fold the mango mixture into the egg white.
5. Chill for several hours. When you’re ready to serve, rinse the strawberries and place them on top of the mousse, divided between two ramekins.

Blackberry cream

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 60g blackberries
• 1 petit-suisse
• 1 pot of fromage blanc
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp ground almonds
• 1 tbsp liquid honey
• A few drops of vanilla extract

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 150°C.
2. In a bowl, mix together the petit-suisse and fromage blanc.
3. Add the egg and whisk well.
4. Add the ground almonds, honey and vanilla extract.
5. Rinse the blackberries, pat them dry and fold them into the mixture.
6. Divide the cream between 2 ramekins and bake for around fifteen minutes.
7. Remove the ramekins from the oven and leave to cool before enjoying!

These light, colourful recipes featuring July fruit and vegetables are lovely for summer meals and make it easy to enjoy a varied, balanced diet.

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