What to cook when you really can’t handle the heat the kitchen? There’s no need to banish yourself from the best room in the house.

A fresh chilled soup with spiced crab, a creamy chicken salad, and homemade ice-cream using Christmas’ leftover mince pies (does that ever happen?). Here’s our ultimate guide to no-cook cooking.

The Starter

Starting a meal with shots has never seemed so sensible. These fresh little pots topped with spiced crab are so satisfying nobody need know you never even turned on the stove. Drinks writer Mike Bennie says, “This fresh-feeling menu cries out for brisk, zesty young white wines set alongside something pretty and gently sweet to finish the meal off. .”

Drink match: Dry, white wine (try Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon)

The Main

A throw-together salad using a roasted barbecued chicken and homemade ranch dressing. It’s creamy, crunchy, healthy, and simple to make.

Drink match: Chablis (try Laroche Petit Chablis)

The Dessert

For those of us who can’t quite let go of Christmas, Valli Little’s mince pie ice cream involves smashing up mince pies and churning them into your favourite scoop. Can we eat this all year round?

Drink match: Gently sweet riesling (try Pressing Matters R9 Riesling)