A COOL FISH FOR SUMMER

Traditional and fusion cooking styles, regional and international ingredients and a new awareness of healthy eating are all factors contributing to an exciting time for Chinese cuisine. Pauline D Loh explores the possibilities.

Summer is a trying season when it comes to both eating and cooking. As our thoughts drift to sunny days by the beach and excursions into the green countryside, the food images conjured up are of long cool drinks and baskets of sweet summer fruits.

That's why the ancients recommend certain ingredients for summer meals. These are "cooling" but nutritious foods for the hot sweaty days, when appetites wane and the digestive system prefers something light.