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22 tips and recipes for summer cooking

When the temperatures go up, stay cool in the kitchen - and spend less in the process. Then try the 8 easy recipes below.

• Avoid using the cooker and plan meals with foods that will cook quickly on the hob, like pasta, rice or new potatoes. Use the kettle to quick-boil water and put lids on pots to contain the steam.

• Use only one ring on the hob. Rice and potatoes will sit happily off to the side once they have been cooked and covered with a clean tea towel to keep them warm. Then you can use the same ring for quick frying.

• Use an electric vegetable steamer or rice cooker. They work quickly and efficiently and go anywhere there is a power socket.

• Make garlic bread or bruschetta in the toaster instead of on the grill. Toast, then rub with a halved clove of garlic and spread with butter or olive oil before adding your favourite topping. Try goat's cheese, roasted vegetables, tapenade or pesto.

• Make use of the microwave for more than just defrosting and re-heating. You can cook fish and vegetables, toast nuts, cook bacon, even bake cakes in a microwave.

• When shopping, take a cool bag for perishables like meat, fish and dairy, especially if you have other stops to make. A locked car can heat up quickly and cause food to go off in no time.

• Check the temperatures in your fridge and freezer and try and limit the amount of time the doors are open. The fridge should be no higher than 8C and the freezer minus 5C. Adjust the power levels if necessary.
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