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It's officially the end of the summer and no one at my house feels like cooking this weekend. Here is a dinner where you don't have to. It's based on good prepared foods or takeout that can be combined with fresh foods and seasonings to create a very different final result.

Some tips: Look for prepared products that are chemical-free. (Anything with an unprounceable name qualifies as a chemical). Stay away from MSG.

One of my standbys is store-bought barbecued chicken. You can do so much with it to make a tasty meal. Portuguese churrasco chicken is also widely available in Toronto and is usually excellent.

WATERMELON BISQUE

Fruit soups are easy to make and are usually very popular. My testers felt that the addition of lots of gin or vodka would make this into a great end-of-summer martini.

Serve in well-chilled wine glasses. Prosecco is sparkling Italian wine; substitute sparkling water if you prefer.

What you need

2 pounds seedless watermelon, cut into cubes (about 6 cups)

½ cup Prosecco or more to taste

1 teaspoon grated ginger

1 tablespoon lime juice

¼ teaspoon grated lime rind

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Garnish:

2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno

2 tablespoons chopped Thai basil or mint

What you do

Place watermelon, Prosecco, ginger, lime juice and rind in a blender and process until it is a liquid. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill until ready to serve.

Combine jalapeno and Thai basil. Place bisque in tall glasses and garnish with jalapeno and basil mixture. Serves 4 to 6.

BARBECUED CHICKEN WITH GUACAMOLE SALAD

This is a Mexican take on chicken salad. Serve on a large platter on a bed of your favourite greens. Buy some good cornbread to serve with it.

What you need

Dressing:

½ cup mayonnaise

¼ cup salsa

1 tablespoon lime juice

2 tablespoons chopped coriander

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Salad:

1 barbecue chicken, skin and bones removed

1 sweet onion, diced

1 roasted red pepper, sliced

2 tomatoes cut in chunks

1 avocado cut in chunks

Garnish:

Mixed greens

2 cups tortilla chips

What you do

Combine mayonnaise, salsa, lime juice and coriander to make dressing.Dana Thomas, Season with salt and pepper. Reserve.

Shred chicken and mix with onion, red pepper, tomatoes and avocado. Toss with dressing. Place on bed of greens.

Surround platter with tortilla chips. Serves 4.

Here are some other chicken salad suggestions.

Combine mayonnaise with curry paste and toss chicken with apples and onions for a curried take.

Combine mayonnaise with Thai green curry paste and toss chicken with sliced mangoes, red onion and cucumber for an Asian experience.

Combine mayonnaise with garlic, lemon juice and chopped thyme. Toss chicken with chunks of red onion, anchovies, olives, red peppers, green beans and little new potatoes for a French version.

LEMON CREAM SUNDAES

This is an easy dessert that looks and tastes spectacular. Lemon curd is available at specialty food shops, bakeries and some supermarkets.

If mascarpone is unavailable, you can use ricotta and add a little extra sugar as ricotta is not as rich as mascarpone.

What you need

1 small jar lemon curd

½ cup mascarpone cheese

½ cup whipping cream

Pinch cardamom

Plums or apricots

What you do

Combine ½ cup lemon curd with the mascarpone cheese. Add enough whipping cream to make the mixture creamy. (It will depend on the thickness of the lemon curd). Sir in cardamom.

Slice fruit. In sundae glasses or individual soufflé dishes, layer fruit, cream, then more fruit.

Finish with cream. Garnish with a sprig of lemon balm. Serves 4.

lwaverman@globeandmail.com