July sees us hit the pinnacle of the 2024 summer of sport, with the Euros closing, Olympics beginning and the mighty Wimbledon doing its thing in between. For our latest issue, we spoke to five Olympians about how they fuel their fitness, and I’ve spotlighted Greg Rutherford’s recipe in my favourites below. Our food team also pulled out all the stops for July’s New Ways to BBQ feature. While I will also be loyal to my beloved bangers, these inventive new grilling recipes show just how versatile cooking over fire can be.

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Here’s my pick of the best of the July issue. Happy eating - and here’s hoping for a gold medal performance from all our favourite sporting heroes.

Next level chicken burgers

Fried chicken burger stacked with pickles, cheese and sauce

Every fried chicken lover knows that the secret spice blend coating is key to packing in an authentic taste profile. But the brine is another way to layer in flavour. In this next level recipe, Barney uses a zingy secret ingredient to give the buttermilk brine an extra edge.

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Next level chicken burgers

Three-ingredient strawberry palmier tarte tatin

Strawberries on top of. a puff pastry base, topped with ice cream

This recipe is proof that you don’t need faff and fancy techniques to achieve picture-perfect greatness. There are just three ingredients in this fruity centrepiece that celebrates the most iconic summer berry of all – and just in time for Wimbledon.

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Three-ingredient strawberry palmier tarte tatin

Air-fryer scotch eggs

Air fryer scotch eggs on a plate with a knife on the side

Homemade scotch eggs will always beat a shop version – hands down. But deep-frying purely for a picnic is a little labour-intensive. Step forward this easy air-fryer version. Even the eggs are ‘hard boiled’ in the appliance, making it a start-to-finish success.

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Air-fryer scotch eggs

Summery orzo soup recipe

Orzo pasta soup served in two bowls

Orzo is having a moment on social media. This rice-shaped pasta is versatile and unique, and if you’ve not cooked with it before this summery soup is a good place to start. It uses storecupboard and freezer ingredients, and is topped with an olive and feta mix for an umami flourish.

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Summery orzo soup recipe

Sunny-side up BLT flatbreads

BLT flatbread

Breakfasting via barbecue is one epic way to bound into the day ahead. These BLT flatbreads are cooked over coals - even the eggs are made al-fresco. Serve with a spicy bloody mary with extra hot sauce.

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Sunny-side-up BLT brunch

Strawberries & cream blondies

Strawberries and cream blondies laid out on a striped tablecloth

Our food team developed this recipe especially for Wimbledon – it’s the perfect portable picnic bake. Fresh strawberries are turned into a compote before being dolloped onto the blondie batter alongside clotted cream. The two are swirled together before being baked.

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Strawberries & cream blondies

Charred cabbage skewers with harissa butter

Charred cabbage served on a skewer

Vegetables cooked on the barbecue can be truly stunning, as demonstrated by these pointed cabbage wedges that are basted in a harissa and topped with crispy onions and yogurt. Serve on a big platter with pillowy flatbreads to mop up the juices.

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Charred cabbage skewers with harissa butter

Cookies & cream no churn ice cream

No-churn cookies and cream ice cream with a Biscoff biscuit in the top

If you’re a fan of Biscoff, you’ll lap up this homemade caramelised cookie-flavoured ice cream. It uses both speculoos biscuits and spread, and you don’t need a fancy ice cream maker to create this from scratch, just a whisk, a tub and a freezer.

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Cookies & cream no churn ice cream

Smoked trout scramble with rocket salad

Smoked trout scrambled egg served on toast with a side of rocket salad

In our July Eat Like An Olympian feature, we spoke to five Team GB Olympians about what they like to cook at home. This smoked fish dish is Greg Rutherford’s breakfast of choice, served on toasted rye with a side of zingy rocket salad.

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Smoked trout scramble with rocket salad

Mozzarella with spicy tomatoes & garlicky toast

Mozzarella and tomato on toast on two plates

A simple, vibrant dish that’s made to be snapped for an Instagram feed, especially if you’re lucky enough to have nabbed heritage tomatoes. The toms are marinated for at least an hour to bring out their beautiful sweetness.

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Mozzarella with spicy tomatoes & garlicky toast

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