Bank holiday recipes, whatever the weather

As the bank holiday approaches, there’s no better time to invite friends and family round to enjoy the last long weekend of the summer. And we have some beautiful bank holiday recipes for you to treat them with.

You can never be sure of the weather on a British bank holiday, so we’ve got you covered for all eventualities. Whether you’re looking for a lazy bank holiday brunch, a big family summer roast, an outdoor barbecue for a crowd, or just some simple sharers for the whole family, we have plenty of recipes to inspire you.

BANK HOLIDAY BRUNCH

Stacks of pancakes, piled high with blueberries, bacon and maple syrup, Sausage brunch baps filled with creamy avocado and a silky omelette, or a one-pan Kedgeree – what’s on the menu for your bank holiday brunch? If it’s a family all-rounder you’re after, these Breakfast popovers with cheese, ham and tomato will go down a storm. For those looking for something a bit different, we have a bunch more bank holiday brunch ideas to get stuck into.

BANK HOLIDAY BARBECUE IDEAS

Soak up the last of the summer with a barbecue feast. These Barbecued Thai-style chicken legs and Buddy’s smoky Barbecue ribs are absolute crowd-pleasers. Simple Garlic mushroom burgers are great for vegans and meat-eaters alike, and the kids will love these Chargrilled veg kebabs. For some simple sides, get a colourful Griddled veg & feta with tabbouleh and a herby potato salad on the table – a colourful barbecue spread everyone will enjoy.

BANK HOLIDAY ROASTS

For a sun-filled take on a Sunday roast, try this Herby, lemony chicken with chips and crunchy fennel salad, or give this Crispy paprika chicken a go, roasted directly on the oven bars for super-crispy skin. Those looking for a celebration feast with ramped up flavour, why not make a Gnarly dukkah roast lamb served up with pickled chillies, toasted flatbreads and feta. Or swap the meat for a Med-inspired roasted cauliflower with romesco sauce – sunshine on a plate!

SHARING RECIPE IDEAS

Got a bunch of people coming round for drinks and nibbles? Soft and spongy Tear ‘n’ share garlic bread, a Spicy feta & pepper dip and smooth and silky houmous are easy recipes to dunk and dip. Knock up a simple Quiche and a few epic salads, like this Greenhouse couscous salad or Roquefort salad with warm croutons and lardons for a summery picnic vibe, then wash the lot down with an English garden mocktail. And for a guaranteed winner, check out these epic nacho ideas, four different ways.

BANK HOLIDAY SWEET TREATS

Take the fuss out of puds this bank holiday with a no-cook Easy fig tart that looks as good as it tastes, or transform a tin of rice pudding into these fruity Posh lollipops that will be favourites with both kids and adults alike. Make the most of blackberry season with an old-school Jammy coconut sponge or pack the last of the year’s strawberries into this epic Afternoon tea layer cake – what will you choose?

Hungry for more? Try these barbecue side dishes for an end-of-summer feast,