RECIPES: Dishes requiring no cooking to end summer on a chill note

One doesn't need an excuse not to feel like firing up the oven, stove or grill. Some days — maybe it's the sweltering weather, a particularly hectic day of juggling schedules, general exhaustion or simple laziness — the idea of cooking a meal is just too much. Even something simple like boxed spaghetti with jarred sauce and a bagged salad sounds daunting when you realize you'll have to fill a pot with water and wait for it to boil and fill your kitchen with steam in August.

There's no shame in having cold cereal or PB&J for supper. And we won't judge you for ordering pizza.

But if you haven't reached that level of desperation yet, or if your body (and your family) would like something just a little more nourishing, a little more flavorful and ready just as quickly, these recipes are for you.