It’s almost that time of year—summertime, when the kitchen is too hot to cook and yet, going out to eat is boring, not to mention unhealthy for the wallet.

I have my go to meals for when things are busy and time is better spent out of the kitchen. They are the ubiquitous frozen pizza, but also include shrimp Po’ boys, steak, mushroom, and onion sandwiches, taco salad, chili dogs, fajitas, and alfredo sauce over spaghetti.

Always available are grilled cheese and tomato soup, broccoli and cheddar soup, tuna fish and Frito sandwiches, and crab meat or shrimp on a salad with warmed up bread.

But lately, I’ve grown bored with the usual suspects and need some alternatives.

Something that isn’t a sandwich. Soup is out because I’m the only one who appreciates it as a stand alone meal.

So what does that leave?

Guess, it’s time to crack open a few more cookbooks. Or maybe check out Jacques Pepin’s Fast Food My Way from the library.

Any suggestions?