It’s hot. You’re hot. I’m hot. Your dog's hot. We’re all hot.
And if forecasters are right, it's only going to get hotter.
When temperatures start nudging 40C and energy is low, the last thing most of us want to do is turn on the oven. So, ahead of National Picky Bits Day, which takes place on 27 June, we're taking the easy route and filling our baskets with no-cook M&S picky bits instead.
From creamy dips and burrata to sweet treats for afters, these are the M&S picky bits we'd happily call dinner during the heatwave.
Back away from the oven.
Described by M&S Food's Director of Product Development Katherine Turner as "everything but the burger", this layered dip is basically a cheeseburger in scoopable form. Soft cream cheese is topped with burger-inspired flavours including tomatoes and gherkins, making it ideal for dunking tortilla chips, flatbreads or, frankly, anything within reach.
No picky bits spread should be without it.
M&S has taken one of its bestselling ready meals and transformed it into a creamy dip for when it's too hot to function.
Creamy, gently spiced and topped with chicken tikka pieces, it's substantial enough to feel like dinner rather than a snack. Pair with flatbreads and you've got a heatwave meal sorted in under 30 seconds.
Place one in the middle of the table, surround it with crisps, crudités and anything else lurking in the fridge, then let everyone help themselves. Minimal effort, maximum reward.
These taste remarkably like they've just come off a barbecue, and all without having to fire up the grill. Ideal.
Smoky, savoury and deeply moreish, they're the sort of thing you'll buy for a sharing platter and end up eating straight from the tub before your guests arrive.
M&S Marinated King Prawns With Basil And Tomatoes
M&S Marinated King Prawns With Basil And Tomatoes
These juicy marinated prawns are packed with Mediterranean flavours and require nothing more than opening the packet. Serve alongside olives and crusty bread and you'll feel like you're on holiday.
A picky bits classic. Soft vine leaves wrapped around fragrant rice make an easy addition to any grazing spread and bring a welcome freshness to a table that's otherwise heavy on dips, cheese and cured meats.
We're fully on board with the bean renaissance, and best of all, this one's great eaten cold in warmer weather. Rich, savoury and surprisingly filling, this Greek-inspired bean pot adds a little substance to proceedings.
M&S Ruffled Spanish Coppa with Iberico Cheese Slices
M&S Ruffled Spanish Coppa with Iberico Cheese Slices
The meat is already ruffled for you.
Need we say more?
In all seriousness, this pairing does a lot of heavy lifting on a picky bits board. Salty, savoury and ready to eat straight from the pack, it's the easiest route to charcuterie-board energy without any actual effort.
These bite-sized Catalan-style cured sausages are dangerously snackable.
Seasoned with white pepper and conveniently ready to eat, they're ideal for grazing. M&S recommends pairing them with its Fiery Pickles and, having tried the combination ourselves, we'd suggest doing exactly that.
Make it a meal
If you're going all-in on the no-cook dinner approach, add these to your basket too.
Burrata screams summer and requires virtually zero effort.
Finish it with a generous glug of extra virgin olive oil, plenty of black pepper and perhaps a cold spritz on the side, and you've got the centrepiece of a very respectable heatwave dinner.
Isle of Wight Tomatoes x M&S Summer Selection Tomato Mix
Isle of Wight Tomatoes x M&S Summer Selection Tomato Mix
If you're determined not to cook, tomatoes and burrata are practically the poster children. This colourful mix is exclusive to M&S and brings plenty of sweetness and sunshine to the plate.
Add a pack of these and you've instantly got a meal. Tear, scoop and share – no oven required.
Bright, herby and lemony, this fresh tabbouleh makes an easy side, and all without having to chop a thing.
The cool-down course. A whole watermelon is too heavy to carry home. Instead, these wedges are ready to eat and come with a handy lime for squeezing over the top.
Because every heatwave dinner deserves dessert.
These tropical mini ice lollies are just the right size for when you want something cold, fruity and refreshing without committing to a full-sized frozen treat.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
