Beat the Heat: 5 Tips for Making Summer Cooking a Breeze
Hubby and the kids are hungry, but it’s hot outside and the last thing we want is to heat up the kitchen too. So, what’s a home cook to do? Start by considering these five summer cooking tips.
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Cook in batches
Batch cooking might sound counterintuitive, but hear us out. Preparing several portions when you have some spare time will make things that much easier when you don’t. Depending on your schedule, why not wake up a bit earlier or stay up later to prep your favourite foods in peace and quiet. Big plus: it’s bound to be a lot cooler in the early mornings or late evenings.
When cooking in batches, think about doubling up on dishes like soups, curries, chili, mince, and meatballs. Simply freeze the other half and save it for another mealtime. It’s also a good idea to prepare classic summer sauces like tomato sauce or basil pesto ahead of time. Another tip is to do all the peeling, slicing and chopping of your veggies in one go and keep them refrigerated in storage containers. When it’s time to cook, half the work will already be done!
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Choose simple recipes
Summer is the season for easy-breezy cooking. We’re talking fresh salads, juicy burgers, zesty tacos, stir-fried veggies, and the list could go on and on. One-pot wonders also work a charm. Not only will they afford you more time out the kitchen, they’re also great for feeding a crowd and saving on the washing up. For those moments when you couldn’t be fussed to use any appliances at all, why not give these six delicious, no-cook recipes a try.
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Lighten up
Lighten up your favourite meals with summer’s bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables. For example, rather than a creamy macaroni, why not delight your taste buds with fresh tomato and basil penne. Or switch up your favourite potato bake recipe by making it with some in-season courgettes instead. Another way to lighten up your summer meals is to serve grilled vegetable kebabs as a side dish or grilled fruit skewers for dessert. Light and simple, but delicious and very satisfying.
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Cook without heat
Heating up the oven means heating up the whole kitchen. So, turn off the oven and turn to your countertop cooking appliances instead. For example, microwaves can cook everything from rice and potatoes jackets to cakes and sponge puddings – and in much less time. Or why no dust off those appliances you haven’t used in a while? Toaster ovens, air fryers, and crockpots are two of our favourite oven and stovetop alternatives. They won’t heat up the kitchen or the cook!
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Take it outside
As the saying goes, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out the kitchen”. Nature is a spectacular place to be during South African summers. So, step away from the stove and start cooking outdoors. Whether it’s a simple alfresco picnic at the park or relaxed braai in your backyard, summer cooking is meant to be as stress-free as possible.
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What are your summer cooking tips and tricks? Please share them with us over on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
