Tempt Your Taste Buds

Written by Rosemary Mantini | 05 August 2010

Wherever in this expansive land you happen to call home, the summers are either hot and dry or hot and humid. How do we keep fed and cool on those scorching days? Easy. We have at our disposal the wealth of knowledge brought here by peoples who originally came from countries with climates similar to Canada's. We can access the culinary traditions those people brought with them. In doing so, all of us can master recipes that keep us cool, hydrated and well-fed. We're very lucky to be living in a country where the majority of us hail from elsewhere. The knowledge that each culture has brought has added to the collective whole.

Hot-weather meals are often spicy, like the Thai soup below, or cool to the tongue like the Hawaiian fish salad with tropical nuances. Follow the links below to try them for yourself. Don't forget how well-suited Mexican cuisine is to hot weather, and Mediterranean specialties are the perfect light and refreshing answer to hot and sweaty afternoons. Whichever cuisine you choose to cool you down, don't ignore the outdoors. Its so easy to stay ensconced indoors cooled by air conditioning, but with the right menu, dining al fresco is just as enjoyable and, dare I say, refreshing.

Here are some dishes that will have you craving hot weather all year round.

Thai Gingered Beef and Chili in Broth

Hawaiian Fish and Mango Salad

beef | comfort | fruit | lunch | quick | recipes | soup | summer | vegetables