When I’m in a foul mood, my sister will always ask me two questions: “Are you tired?” and “Are you hungry?” It’s almost always a “yes” to one or the other—and on days following the switch to Daylight Saving Time, it’s usually both. Tonight, I don’t want to mess with 15-step recipes or tons of dishes. I want a meal that requires only a handful of ingredients and minimal active cooking, like speedy grits, bubbly bakes, or done-in-a-flash fish. That way I can chow down, jump in the shower, and then into bed.
If you’re looking for your own easy dinners, check out these nine short, simple dishes. And then get some rest.
Sabrina Ghayour's Persian "Adassi" Lentil Stew by Ali Slagle
The stew starts simple: oil, onion, lentils, tomato paste, curry powder, salt, water. And the process involves chopping one vegetable, pouring some stuff in a pot, and stirring every so often. Really, that’s it.
Sally Schneider's Slow-Roasted Salmon (or Other Fish) by Genius Recipes
This “slow” roasted technique takes 30 minutes, tops, and results in a beautifully tender, evenly cooked, not-one-bit-dry piece of fish.
Creamy Goat Cheese Grits by Merrill Stubbs
Goat cheese makes the dish creamy and soft and adds a bright, tangy flavor. Feel free to add fresh herbs, or top your grits with spinach, tomatoes, or leftover roasted broccoli.
Tahini Roasted Broccoli by Laurie
Honestly, a bowl of this crispy, garlicky broccoli is all I need as a main course, but if you’re looking for a little more oomph, top it with a fried egg.
Crispy Kimchi and Cheddar Omelette by Alison Roman
High heat browns the eggs’ exterior and crisps up the cheddar, while the kimchi helps keep the insides nice and runny. If it’s been a looong time since lunch, feel free to add another egg in there.
J. Kenji López-Alt's Butter-Basted, Pan-Seared Thick-Cut Steaks by Genius Recipes
If steak’s not one of the fastest ways to improve someone’s mood, I don’t know what is.
Scamorza alla pizzaiola(opens in new window) by Emiko
Creamy scamorza cheese melted obligingly into tomato sauce and slathered onto toast is basically lazy (but oh-so-satisfying) pizza.
Sue Kreitzman’s Lemon Butter Angel Hair Pasta by Genius Recipes
“This is a dinner you can fish out of your bare kitchen and cook in 10 minutes that will make you feel whole, with nothing more than modestly proportioned dry pasta, butter, chicken stock, pepper, and lemon.” —The Genius herself, Kristen Miglore
Roasted Sweet Potato with Chickpeas, Goat Cheese, and Coriander by Renee Kemps
Creamy sweet potato and tangy goat cheese get a little help from chickpeas to make a flavorful, belly-filling meal.
This article was written by Katie Macdonald from Food52 and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.
