The best cold salads, noodles and soups for the summer Wine News

You can feel it in the air; the moist, frizzy and stormy climate that signals a heat wave. Get your fans ready and get your 50 factor out.

Although the heatwave brings with it a plethora of daily challenges – what to wear, how to exercise, how to maintain your meticulously trimmed garden – our concern is what exactly do you eat in the midst of a heatwave. While many of us prefer to spend as much time as possible lingering in front of the open fridge door, finding something to cook inside is far too daunting a task.

As Diana Henry, The Telegraph’s food editor, writes, “It’s the kind of day that makes me want to drop ice cubes on my bra and suck on salt-dipped limes.” Nutrition just takes a back seat.

The importance of hydration goes without saying. Drinking plenty of water (no, a cold beer doesn’t count) is crucial. Chilled slices of watermelon make the perfect snack – in the United States, watermelon is often sold with a sprinkle of Mexican Tajin Seasoning, an addictive blend of chili, spices and lime. Instead, try topping the watermelon slices with a sprinkle of chili powder, lime juice, and salt.

Try to reduce your alcohol intake (if you can) and opt for lighter, more vegetable-focused dishes to increase your water intake and avoid unwanted meat sweats.

And when it comes to meals to cook, help is on hand in the form of crunchy salads, chilled gazpachos and easy, no-cook noodle dishes.

Each of the recipes below are quick to prepare and can be stored in the fridge until the sun comes out and you’re ready to feast. And of course, it goes without saying that ice cream consumption is vital for a happy heat wave.

Summer recipes for a heat wave

“If there’s one dish that epitomizes Greek cuisine, it’s Greek salad,” says Theo Michaels. Tomatoes are the star of the show, so buy the ripest and juiciest ones you can find. Try the recipe here.