Hot outside? Here’s how to keep your kitchen cool and efficient.
Amidst brutally hot temperatures, spending long hours in a kitchen is the last thing anyone wants. From Delhi’s dry heat to Chennai’s humidity, the kitchen turns into a pressure cooker— in literal sense! But what if we told you that a few smart changes in your kitchen routine can save time, energy, and sanity?
One of the smartest ways to minimize daily cooking is preparing your meals in advance. Dedicate a few hours during the weekend break to chop vegetables, boil lentils, marinate proteins, and store semi-cooked bases like onion-tomato gravy in airtight containers.
Pro Tip: Store these ingredients in stackable containers to save fridge space also. For dals and curries, freeze them in single-serve portions for quick reheating on weekdays.
Summer demands simplicity. One-pot meals like khichdi, pulao, poha, and upma reduce cooking time and dishwashing stress. For zero-flame days, opt for no-cook foods like cucumber raita, moong dal salad, curd rice, and mango smoothies. These foods are healthy, time saving and easy on the gastrointestinal tract.
The best way to beat the kitchen heat is to begin early. Cook your main meals before 9 a.m. when temperatures are still bearable. Use electric cookers or induction stoves to minimize kitchen heat.
Pro Tip: Prepare lunch and dinner together in the morning and refrigerate it. In the evening, reheat with minimal effort.
Remember, heavy cooking appliances generate more heat. Swap out gas stoves for energy-efficient induction cooktops, slow cookers, or air fryers. They save time while keeping your home cool.
Additionally, avoid opening the fridge frequently. Every open-door trip adds to its cooling load—and your electricity bill.
Prepare larger batches of common gravies like butter masala base, onion-tomato paste, or sambhar base. Freeze them in ice cube trays. Just pop out one or two cubes when required—voila! Instant curry base without much effort daily.
Pro Hack: Blanch and freeze seasonal veggies like beans, carrots, and peas for instant add-ons in pulao or sabzi.
Summer dehydration can creep up fast. Keep nimbu paani, buttermilk (chaas), aam panna, and infused water ready in your fridge. These desi drinks are not just hydrating—they’re loaded with nutrition and flavor.
Pro Tip: Set up a DIY hydration station for your kids with cut fruits, sabja seeds, and chilled water. Let them mix and make their own fun coolers during summer vacation.
Don't forget to use exhaust fans and always keep your windows open for ventilation. Keep the lights dim and switch to energy-saving LED bulbs. Keep plants like aloe vera or money plants to absorb heat and improve indoor air quality.
Bonus Tips: Avoid disposable plastic items that cause more heat and environmental stress. Use reusable kitchenware and cotton kitchen towels.
Oily and heavily spiced food can weigh you down during hot summers. Lighten up your cooking with boiled, steamed, or grilled recipes. Use more curd, lemon, and herbs for flavour instead of oil-heavy tadkas.
Pro Tip: Substitute fried papads with roasted ones. Bake evening snack samosas instead of deep-frying.
Induction stove
Stackable glass containers
Ice cube trays
Cooling beverages jug
Exhaust fan or table fan
Light cotton aprons
Indian summers are tough, but your kitchen routine doesn’t need to be. With these wise and easy hacks for summer, you’ll save time, reduce heat exposure in the kitchen.
So, this summer, plan wisely, cook less, and live more!
