Newsletter: Cool food for hot days

Cool food for hot days

Whether it is cool, sunny, or scorching where you are, ckbk is here to keep you cool in the kitchen. Summer holidays mean a different kind of cooking. You might have more time in the kitchen, or be juggling kitchen time with sightseeing and family to attend to. You might be cooking on an unfamiliar holiday-rental stove. Whatever your summer catering means, this is your holiday, and we don’t want it to be stressful. So, we’ve got all the resources for you to enjoy the kind of food that makes your holiday feel like one!

Kick off with one of our Effortless Summer Appetizers – a collection of dishes that get the meal started with little fuss, form part of a buffet, or make a great simple lunch served as they are.

There is no cooking needed for this fresh and flavorsome Smoked Mackerel, Fennel & Chickpea Salad with Horseradish & Yoghurt Dressing, and very little for this Yellow Squash Galette.

Salads are always a good idea, when you want to put something together quickly that has no compromise on flavor. Explore our collection of Easy Summer Salads. Try this Japanese inspired, umami-rich, Miso-Sesame Cucumber Salad, or bring Italy to the table with this assemblage of Burrata, Peaches and Prosciutto with Basil Oil.

After such light, fresh fare, you will definitely have room for dessert! But to ensure you don’t spend too much time over a hot stove, take a look at these Quick Summer Desserts. Try a crowd-pleasing Raspberry and Mascarpone Parfait, or stay chilled with a Mango Sorbet. Sorbets and ice creams are always going to be the dessert, or snack, of choice when the temperature rises. So plan ahead with our collection of Summer Sorbets and Frozen Desserts, and fill your freezer in preparation.

Pictured above: Prawn Salad with Pearl Couscous from A Simple Table by Michele Cranston

Looking to cook with the kids? We have the books to help

If you’ve got kids, having them home for the summer can be stressful, and it can also be fun. Either way it means a lot more going on in the kitchen. One way to keep them both busy and fed is to get them involved in the cooking!

Start by browsing our Family Bookshelf, for loads of ideas of what to cook for them and with them.

Cake is always a hit, and Cupcakes for Kids will keep them happy for days. These Animal Cake Pops are super cute!

And if you want to get at least a touch of fruit in the mix, try these White Chocolate and Raspberry Cones.

For extra guidance, ckbk co-founder and award winning food writer Nadia Arumugam has put together a series of collections on Cooking with Kids – find a range of things to get stuck into, from Breads to Sushi.

Summer festival vibes

Whether you are on vacation or staycation, summer is the time to try interesting bites from street stalls, or the food trucks at a festival. But if you’re stuck at home, or want to recreate some of that festival magic in your own kitchen when you return, we’ve got street food suggestions galore.

Try Smoked Fish and Lime Patties, or any of the spicy treats in our Caribbean Street Food collection.

There is no need to miss out if you are vegan; we’ve put together a collection of Vegan Snacks and Street Food. Try zingy Harissa Falafel Wraps with Quick-Pickled Cabbage.

Our feature Behind the Cookbook: My Street Food Kitchen, is great insight into Jennifer Joyce’s creation of a book filled with tempting recipes. And if all of this is all too more-ish, check out the great range of Street Food books on our shelves.

Ingredient spotlight: pineapple

Originally from Brazil, the pineapple is now grown across the globe in hot countries, and popular the world over. This large fruit, striking in appearance, is actually a cluster of ‘berry-like fruitlets’ that are fused together to form a spiny-looking head. The ripe fruit has a natural fresh acidity that balances its sweetness. It is good to eat raw, on its own or in a fresh fruit salad. It also retains a firm texture and full flavor when cooked.

Take a look at our Pineapple Perfection collection, to make the most of this tropical fruit in both sweet and savory dishes. Try a Thai inspired Pineapple Fried Rice, or if dessert is more your thing try these Caramelized Pineapple Pudding Cakes – nothing but a scoop of vanilla ice cream needed in accompaniment.

6 of the best recipes for popsicles

Nothing says summer fun quite like a popsicle. Here are six of the most lick-able flavor combinations for you to try. If you really love popsicles visit our Ice, Ice, Baby collection for 12 delicious and refreshing portable treats.