The heat of the summer is a fact in the South.  There is simply no way around the fact that for many of the Southern states there are basically two seasons: hot and hotter.  When those sweltering July and August months hit, staying cool is a top priority. However, life in the South also demands good food and good friends. So how do you keep your kitchen cool enough to make those delicious Southern dishes for everyone to enjoy?

There are actually a number of ways that you can cut back on the heat of the kitchen, which will encourage you to spend more time there.  One of the easiest ways to cut down on heat is to avoid firing up that oven.  If you can prepare the same favorite dishes using an alternate appliance you'll be better off in the long run.  Microwaves, electric skillets, crock pots, and other tools can heat up your food without turning up the heat in the room. You can also take the heat outside and fire up the grill for some delicious summer food as well.  Never under estimate the power of a cold salad in the heat of summer either.  There are plenty of good dishes that can help to cool you down by not taking much heat to prepare.  You could also plan to host a later get together, when the nighttime cool isn't too far away.

Don't let the heat keep you from entertaining.  After all, the fun of summer is in the times to share with friends and the good times. So don't cut back on anything but the heat in the kitchen.