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22 tips and recipes for summer cooking

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Take the plastic wrap off meats as soon as you get home and place on a plate in the fridge. If food tends to dry out in your fridge, cover it lightly with greaseproof paper or cling, with small holes poked in it. Meat tends to sweat in plastic and can turn smelly if no air is allowed to circulate around it.

Use a timer when cooking rice, potatoes or pasta so you can nip out of the kitchen for a minute or two. It's easy to forget (out of sight, out of mind) and the timer will keep you from burning or over-cooking the food.

Cook meat more quickly by turning chicken breasts, turkey, boneless pork chops and beef steaks into escalopes by flattening them with a rolling pin or meat tenderiser. The thinner they are, the quicker they will cook. Alternatively, buy them already cut in thin slices.

Use a ridged grill pan for quick-frying meat and fish. Not only does it cook quickly, it adds a charred flavour without the need for firing up the barbecue. It's also great for vegetables like courgettes, onions, aubergines and peppers.

Use a wok for stir-frying - one of the quickest cooking methods there is. Make sure you prepare everything you need in advance and cut into small pieces so the ingredients will cook quickly and evenly.

Let someone else take the heat by buying ready-roasted chickens from the supermarket. Take the meat off the bone and create your own chicken salads or other dishes. You can also buy sliced roast meats like ham and roast beef and turn them into a casual supper by adding your own ingredients.

Eat lots of green salads. You can buy the ready-to-eat leaves in bags or make your own combinations, washed, ready to go and stored in plastic food bags. Lettuces are much cheaper this time of year so try some different varieties and mix-and-match.

RECIPES

• Char-Grilled Lemon Chicken with Herby New Potatoes
• Chicken Tarragon with Red Grapes and Walnuts
• Smoked Duck Breast with Wild Rice and Mangos
• Quick Vegetable Stir-Fry with Almonds
• Chef's Salad with Stilton Dressing
• Torte di Dolcelatte Pasta with Broccoli
• Microwave Chocolate Pudding
• Lemon and Lime Syllabub

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