It may have been one of the warmest Canadian winters on record, but it was winter nonetheless. Now spring is here. Trees are budding, birds are singing and the mercury is on the rise.

The warm weather means that you don’t want to spend hours slaving over a hot stove – and you don’t have to. Summertime is ideal for quick and easy meals that don’t sacrifice flavour for convenience. These wonderful warm months are also the time for fresh, succulent vegetables and fruits.

Whether it’s summer salads, appetizers or easy main dishes, the cheeses of Tre Stelle, Mediterra and Rosenborg are perfect additions to simple summer cooking. All of the dishes listed below can be put together in 30 minutes or less, so you can spend your time lingering on the patio with friends, or playing in the backyard with kids freshly freed from winter’s grip.

Quick Out of the Starting Blocks

Macedonia-Style Feta Dip
Mediterra Feta is the starting point for a delicious appetizer dip. Simply mix chopped feta with plain yogurt, diced tomatoes, red onion and black olives. Add garlic to taste. Let stand to allow flavours to mingle and mellow. Serve with lots of bread or pita.

Antipasto
Begin with a base of mixed greens, then top with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and sundried tomatoes soaked in olive oil. Add some breaded and fried Tre Stelle Smoked Mozzarella cubes, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and, presto -- a perfect summer starter! Add some deli meats like prosciutto and capocollo, sliced fruit, bread and a selection of other Tre Stelle cheeses – and a light summer meal is complete. Well, almost complete. A bottle of chilled pinot grigio is a fabulous finishing touch.

Summer Salads in 15 Minutes or Less

Grilled Vegetables with Feta
Vegetables grilled on the barbecue take centre stage with this quick recipe featuring Mediterra Feta. Just grill the veggies, toss with dressing and garnish with Feta.

Bocconcini Salad
Those beautiful little Tre Stelle fresh mozzarella balls called bocconcini have a soft, yielding texture and milky, creamy flavour. Add them to a simple salad of baby spinach, Belgium endive, celery and red peppers, and top with a basic vinaigrette. How can something so easy taste so good?

Mains without Pains

Burgers with Brie and Mushrooms
Why should burgers be boring? These ones are kicked up with steak spice and topped with Tre Stelle Chateau Versailles Brie and sautéed mushrooms and onions. Serve with one of the salads described above and a few potato chips.

Lamb and Vegetable Kebabs with a Creamy Dressing
By combining meat and vegetables in one dish, these Mediterranean-flavoured kebabs make for an easy, yet stunning dinner, served with a nice rice pilaf or couscous. A delicious dressing combines Rosenborg Danish Blue, mayonnaise, sour cream and whipping cream with onion, garlic and lemon juice. The dressing is also mixed with oil as a marinade for the kebabs.

One for the Youngsters

Big Batch Beef Tacos
When kids find something they like, they tend to want it often. This recipe makes a double batch, so you can freeze half the filling and use it later for another quick meal. Ground beef, taco seasoning, refried beans and salsa combine for an easy filling, and the topping is even easier; shredded Tre Stelle Cheddar and shredded lettuce.