Dazz Switalla Flavour Secrets No.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz

The hot sunny days have driven a lot of us inside during the heat of the day – once again this year I'm using the siesta initiative.

It's nice to rest or sleep during the hot parts of the day, to wake up totally refreshed ready to party or get underway with some other recreational activity.

In the animal world dogs seem to pant more, chickens hide under the hedge and make themselves scarce.

But then there's the odd exception. ‘Cocoa' the dark chocolate chicken has taken a fondness for wandering inside and now sleeps on the back step at night!

She has play fights with the cat and dog, prefering to hang out near the back door as if ostracised from the rest of the flock.

I'm no animal psychologist, but there's something weird going on in that chicken's head especially since the hot weather has hit.

The heat can drive some people crazy too. I witnessed an overzealous parking warden issuing a ticket for a basketball hoop at the end of the cul-de-sac.

As for the garden, well that's gone ballistic too. Zucchinis are turning into marrow in no time at all and tomatoes ripening every day, inspiring me to use it all in some mad creation for this week's recipe – a very different summertime cheeseburger.

Summertime cheeseburger

Gluten-free, serves two

2-3 large zucchini

2 large tomatoes

200g paneer cheese

1 small bunch mint, chopped

Fresh basil leaves

2 eggs, beaten

1 Tbsp custard powder

Microgreens for garnish

Salt and pepper

Olive oil for cooking