Lazy summer days are time to think of preparing meals that are not only healthful but reflect coolness. When the temperatures rise and days lengthen, summer slowdown creeps into almost everyone’s schedule. The kitchen is certainly one area of your home where you would like to slow down the heat but at the same time produce some tasty and delicious dishes.

The Gazette-Journal staff, well known for its get-together luncheons, shares recipes from a recent gathering where the theme was summer foods. Some of the recipes do require turning on the oven. For a large cake, however, it would be worth the heat. Once cooked, you have a week’s already-made dessert. For the muffins, double the recipe and have some on hand by freezing the extras. Microwaves can be used for cooking meats, casseroles and desserts. And don’t forget your slow-cooker. In one container you can cook a whole meal with as little heat as a lighted candle and with little exertion. Don’t forget to use yo...