India, May 29 -- You must have all heard the saying: "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen." Alas, that's not an option available to those of us who still have to feed a family three times a day, no matter how unbearable the Indian summer gets. But wait, don't get all hot under the collar; help is at hand. And that's because this week I come armed with tips about how to maximise your results in the kitchen while making the most minimal of efforts. (This is where lesser mortals would make some lame joke about sweating your onions rather than yourself; but I am, of course, above that sort of puerile thing!)

So, how do we crack the whole cooking-while-its-cooking-outside puzzle? Well, here are some pointers, honed after years ...