Asparagus (photo by Jason Webber, courtesy of morguefile.com)

Summer can be a mixed blessing for those who love to cook. The seasonal and fresh produce that becomes available is a delight we look forward to every year. In our neck of the woods that means just-picked sweet corn, heirloom tomatoes, fresh strawberries, and a cornucopia of other fruits and veggies. Local harvests get us our favorites when they are at the height of their flavor and nutritional value.

But cooking our favorites in a hot summer kitchen can take a lot of the fun out of bringing those delights to a table full of friends and family. Luckily, there are plenty of quick meals that can get you out of the kitchen in a hurry; well before the heat gets you down. Writer Mark Bittman has put together dozens of such meals in a recent article in the New York Times.

To get a look at Mr. Bittman's collection of quick summer meals go to: Summer Express: 101 Simple Meals Ready in 10 Minutes or Less