The kids are back at school, the sun is shining and the days are hot!  So hot that be it water, meals or our groceries, February is all about keeping it cool and keeping it simple.
Yes autumn is just around the corner but that is purely a date and realistically the heat of summer is with us right now.Food this month often revolves around delicious salads where meat or fish are pan fried and then combine with salads that are bursting with colour, texture and flavour.

Fisher & Paykel have some hot products that make summertime in the kitchen a breeze.

The ActiveSmart™ French Door Fridge ^[1] is nothing short of extraordinary.  The chilled water and ready made ice feature goes without saying but the space that a double door fridge has available and the pull out drawer freezer at the base, are any cooks dream (including mine)!
If this all looks a bit too big for your needs or you need another option as well then take a look at the Fisher & Paykel CoolDrawer™ ^[2], this has been designed to change from refrigerator to freezer at the touch of a button and can be placed anywhere in the home. Anything from strawberries to ice cream can be stored in the CoolDrawer™ although obviously not at the same time!  Chilling wine, keeping fruit happy in summer months or as  a freezer when needed, it is all in the push of a button.

The third product worthy of a rave is the gas on glass cooktop ^[3], I am certainly a cooking with gas convert and having glass around the hobs not only makes for easy clean but also makes a very attractive and stylish kitchen.

So what are we cooking this month?

One of my favourite recipes this summer is Vietnamese Beef Salad ^[4], the colours are vibrant and the flavours make the most of full flavoured summer herbs.

 

 

 

Another beef recipe that my father declared to be “just magic” is this warm beef salad, where the dressing ingredients are heated together.  It was given to me on radio and has had loads of positive feedback from those that have tried it.

 

 

 

One of our absolute favourite summer recipes are these beer battered fish tacos with a crunchy slaw.
I have literally made hundreds of these both at home and for crowds and always they get rave reviews.  The recipe is simple ^[5] but you may also like to watch our video ^[6].

 

 Another favourite version of slaw is this Asian slaw ^[7].  I make no apologies for the long ingredient list as they are all able to be supermarket purchased and all contribute to the wonderful colour, texture and flavour.

 

 

We made this Sesame Chicken Salad ^[8] at a food show a year or so back and served hundreds of portions to people who all came back for the recipe!  It is simple to throw together and of course delicious.

 

 

And if you happen to have access to an Asian Barbecue store then do buy a duck and try this stunning Summer Duck Salad ^[9].

 

 

 

What are some of your favourite summer meals?
See more of our salad recipes here ^[10].

Oh and if you fancy entering into the draw to win a fab new fridge ^[11] courtesy of Fisher & Paykel then follow the link.

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