For the first time in what feels like a long while, it felt like a real summer day;
And when nature gifts you such a perfect day, the last place you want to spend it, is indoors doing something as horrid as slaving over a hot stove, or an oven.
Turning on the oven in the summer heat is the worse, especially with a small kitchen like mine.
A few months ago, in anticipation of a scorching summer, I got a Breville Smart Oven – a small multi-functional convection toaster oven that takes little counter space.
My big oven now serves as storage for my baking pans and my tiny kitchen remains cool.
I’ve dreamt and prepared for summer days like this for weeks, I thought of quick dinners that’ll get me out of the door almost as soon as I got in.

This flatbread with onions, tomatoes and olives seem to do the trick – it’s not quite a pizza but just as tasty.
It is practically effortless, if like me, you already have bread or pizza dough sitting in the fridge.

I’m not even going to bother with a recipe, here’s what you do – flatten and shape some bread dough and put it on an oiled baking tray and add your toppings.
My dough, made with graham flour was leftover from bread I made the day before.
The toppings were; sliced onions, tomatoes, olives, seasoned with salt and pepper.
Baked for 10 – 15 minutes at 350° till golden brown
And cooled on a rack for a few minutes before serving.

This fresh and (somewhat) wholesome dinner takes a few minutes prep and bake time, allowing for a leisurely dinner on the balcony.
And there’s still time in the day for a walk, and dessert and drinks later on.
This is exactly why summer is awesome!