Summer

When the heat settles in, dinner stops being about long simmers and slow roasts. Summer cooking is lighter, faster, and built around what's at the market: mangoes, watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs by the bunch. This collection is a home base for the season — recipes that keep you hydrated, cool, and out of a sweltering kitchen.

What you'll find here

Expect a generous mix of warm-weather staples and rainy-day comforts:

• Cold soups, crunchy salads, and ceviche-style starters
• Aam panna, jaljeera, sherbets, lassi, and fruit-forward smoothie bowls
• Kulfi, falooda, and easy ice creams for after-dinner cool-downs
• Grilled vegetables and quick stovetop mains that don't heat up the house
• Monsoon favourites — pakoras, bhajiyas, and a proper cup of masala chai

When to reach for these recipes

Use this tag on the days when turning on the oven feels like a bad idea, when guests are arriving for a long lunch on the terrace, or when the first monsoon shower has you craving something hot and crisp. It's also a good place to land during mango season, summer holidays with kids at home, and those weeks where everyone wants dinner to feel like a picnic.

Tips for cooking in the heat

Lean on raw, marinated, and chilled preparations. Prep early in the morning, season generously with citrus and fresh herbs, and let the fridge do the heavy lifting. Pair these picks with no-cook ideas or fire up the grilled section for an easy weekend cookout.