Summer special menu: Chef shares 4 recipes featuring seasonal favourites like coconut, mango, cucumber and watermelon

Explore the culinary side of summer by cherishing signatural topical flavours with staple summer fruits and veggies. Check out this four-course exclusive menu!

Contrary to public opinion, where summer season gets aggresively side-eyed for its relentless heat and tumultuous humidity, it also comes with its own set of perks, especially for foodies.

ALSO READ: Nutritionist shares ‘lazy drink’ recipe for 10x hydration during summer heat

Summer blooms with a plethora of flavours, with a multitude of seasonal fruits readily available everywhere. The flavour profile of the season is incredibly diverse, from the sweet juiciness of mango, watermelon, litchi, and pineapple, ideal for desserts, drinks and light salad, to the tangy, citrusy notes of lemon, lime, orange and raw mango. Fresh mint in any recipe adds a kick of freshness. The summer foods' list goes on.

So, make the most of this abundance by creating a summer-special feast at home, inviting friends and family over to enjoy the season's best flavours together.

Chef Karthikeyan K, executive chef at The Den Bengaluru, shared with HT Lifestyle an exclusive summer-special menu, covering everything from hydrating starters featuring coconut and chia seeds to a fresh, lighter appetiser watermelon salad with tropical, citrusy notes, followed by a very hearty chicken main course and a mango-coconut sweet treat for dessert.

The summer menu involves beginning with a hydrating starter like tender, coconut chia shot, then salad with avocado, microgreens, followed by chargrilled smoked chicken with coconut lime rice for the main course and ending with mango coconut tres leches for dessert. (Representative image by Gemini AI)

Here are all the recipes of summer-special menu:

1. Tender coconut and chia seeds hydration shots

Serves 4 portions

Ingredients

• 1.5 lt tender coconut water
• 200 gm tender coconut malai
• 200 gm chia seeds
• Fresh lime juice
• 15 gm palm sugar
• 5 gm fresh mint leaf
• 5 gm sea salt

Method

• Chia base: Soak chia seeds until they bloom into a soft, gel-like texture, creating a subtle, nourishing base.
• Coconut infusion: Combine tender coconut water with fresh lime juice, bringing a refreshing balance of sweetness and acidity.
• Assembly: Fold the soaked chia seeds into the coconut-lime mixture, along with tender coconut malai for added texture and richness.
• Finishing touch: Stir palm sugar gently for a natural sweetness, balanced with a pinch of salt. Add freshly chopped mint just before serving, enhancing the overall freshness.

2. Watermelon vitality salad with avocado, cucumber, microgreens, and citrus emulation

Serves 4 portions

Ingredients

• 100 gm mixed microgreens
• 01 no ripped avocado
• 50 gm cherry tomato
• 100 gm cucumber
• 100 gm watermelon
• 10 gm feta cheese
• 20 gm grapefruits segments
• 10 gm pumpkin seeds

For dressing

• 10 gm lemon juice
• 05 gm honey
• 10 gm dijon mustard
• 20 gm orange juice
• 10 ml olive oil
• 05 gm salt
• 07 gm crack black pepper

Method

Citrus emulsion

• Whisk together citrus juice, honey, and Dijon mustard until well combined.
• Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously to create a smooth emulsion.
• Finish with citrus zest, salt, and freshly cracked pepper.

Base layer

• Arrange a bed of fresh microgreens on a chilled plate, creating a light and vibrant foundation.

Composition

• Place avocado slices elegantly over the greens, followed by layered cucumber and watermelon to add height, texture, and visual contrast.

Fresh elements

• Add citrus segments and tomatoes for brightness and colour, then scatter seeds lightly across the salad for added crunch.

Finishing touch

• Gently drizzle the citrus emulsion over the salad and finish with a delicate crumble of feta for a balanced, savoury note

3. Chargrilled smoked chicken with coconut lime fragrance rice

Serves 4 portions

Ingredients

• 1000 gm chicken breast
• 100 gm dijon mustard – finely chopped
• 20 gm paprika powder
• 01 nos fresh lime juice
• 10 lit olive oil
• 05 gm fresh thyme
• 05 gm salt
• 05 gm black pepper
• 10 gm garlic chopped

For coconut lime rice

• 250 gm basmati rice
• 100 gm coconut milk
• 50 gm fresh coconut
• 4 nos lime juice
• 05 gm mustard seeds
• 05 gm curry leaf
• 25 ml coconut oil

Method

Prepare the Marinade

• In a mixing bowl, combine chopped Dijon mustard, paprika powder, fresh lime juice, chopped garlic, fresh thyme, olive oil, salt and cracked black pepper.
• Mix well into a smooth marinade.

Marinate the chicken

• Clean and pat the chicken breasts.
• Coat generously with the marinade.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 2–4 hours (overnight preferred for deeper flavour).

Grill the chicken

• Preheat a grill pan or charcoal grill to medium-high heat.
• Lightly oil the grill.
• Place the chicken on the grill and cook.
• Baste lightly with oil while grilling to retain moisture and develop a succulent texture.

Smoking and charring

• For a smoky flavour, place a small piece of hot charcoal in a bowl inside the grill.
• Drizzle a little oil over it and cover briefly to infuse with smoke.
• Allow slight charring on edges for a grilled finish.
• Rest the chicken for 5 minutes before slicing.

4. Mango coconut tres leches

Serves 4 portions

Ingredient

• 400 gm sugar
• 6 egg
• 250 gm flour
• 10 gm baking powder
• 5 ml vanilla essence
• 200 gm coconut milk
• 100 ml mango puree

Method

Sponge Base

• Whisk eggs and sugar together until pale, airy, and voluminous.
• Gently fold in vanilla essence, followed by flour and baking powder, ensuring the mixture retains its lightness.
• Pour into a lined tray and bake at 180°C for 25–30 minutes, until golden and set.
• Allow to cool completely.

Mango-coconut infusion

• Blend together coconut milk and mango purée.
• Keep blending until smooth and well combined.

Assembly

• Once cooled, gently pierce the sponge to allow absorption.
• Slowly pour the mango-coconut mixture over the cake, ensuring even soaking.
• Refrigerate for 3–4 hours to allow the flavours to develop and the texture to soften.

Finishing touch (optional)

• Top with lightly sweetened whipped cream infused with a hint of mango.
• Garnish with fresh mango pieces or delicate coconut shavings.