On sweltering days, cooking is often the last thing I want to do. Stifling heat not only dampens my appetite, the oven and stove crank up the heat in my home.

However, I am exploring a few ways to beat the summer heat:

Making the Most of Technology. Many cooking innovations generate less heat than the stove or oven, such as air fryers, microwave ovens, countertop grills and others. (I even have an extra oven in my basement, which saved our Thanksgiving one year, but that’s another story!)

One and Done. If you need to turn on the stove, prepare a one-pan meal that cooks quickly and incorporates lots of ingredients. Stir-fries like this one are fast and easy.

Salads to the Rescue. On especially hot days, I crave something cool and delicious. Salad recipes abound on the internet, and by adding protein I can make it a complete meal. In late spring, when the romaine in my dad’s garden is abundant, we make our own version of salad Niçoise, with tuna, hard-boiled egg slices, steamed green beans, olives and slivers of sharp cheese on a bed of romaine and drizzled with vinaigrette. I keep wanting to try a cold combo, pairing chilled soup, like gazpacho, with chilled shrimp salad. Soups and salads combine heart-healthy fruits or vegetables and boost hydration. Plus, the choice of ingredients is endless at my local farm markets.

Cooling it Down. When I plan for extra leftovers, we can have cold chicken or turkey sandwiches.  I also like to pair grilled chicken or fish with homemade salsa or julienned vegetables. In addition to cool sandwiches and wraps, you may want to try a veggie spring roll wrapped in rice paper and served with peanut sauce.

Exploring Vintage Recipes. Before the days of air conditioning, home cooks avoided firing up their ovens and made the most of summer produce. My grandmother might have served cold roasted chicken and tomato and cucumber salad, and I remember seeing recipes in magazines for chicken or tuna salad-stuffed tomatoes. Of course, if the sun isn’t too scorching, you can grill or eat outdoors.

Don’t let summer heat chase you out of the kitchen. Adopt a fresh approach while taking advantage of summer’s bounty.