I’m looking for one thing when making a weeknight dinner: joy. For breakfast and lunch, I’m content with consuming an amalgamation of soulless fodder—premade salads, frozen food, anything piled into a cardboard bowl—so long as I regain some humanity in the final meal of my day.
When searching for that joy, I primarily lean on nostalgia. Typically, I want a part of the meal—whether it be the process or final flavor—to transport me somewhere I love. Sometimes it’s recreating a dish from childhood (I’ve been on a Sloppy Joe kick), and other times it’s as simple as using a technique I learned from a friend, like breaking down a chicken.
With this in mind, here are five of the upcoming weeknight meals I’m looking forward to making.
1. Classic Tuna Melt
My mom makes the world’s greatest tuna melt, but this recipe from Emma Lapperuque might give her a run for her money. It nails all the details: English muffin, cheddar, Dijon and mayo, and plenty of chopped pickles. The best part of a tuna melt? I’ve already got the ingredients.
2. Shrimp Scampi
Although it firmly sits in the top five of my favorite things to eat, I haven’t made shrimp scampi for a few months—so, here we are. Beyond my personal reasons, scampi is an ideal weeknight meal because it nails the effort-to-flavor ratio: three steps and one wine recommendation.
3. Ina Garten's Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken
I enjoy breaking down chickens. Whether it’s spatchcocking or tackling a galantine, I find the tactile process of butchering to be very fulfilling. This classic Ina Garten recipe lets me scratch that itch, while also producing a roast chicken that’s packed with garlic, lemon, and herbs.
4. Dirty Martini
From a nostalgia standpoint, dirty martinis are at the center of many good memories. Beyond that, they’re the perfect accompaniment for a burger from Five Guys (something I’ve been wanting for weeks).
5. Kimchi Fried Rice
If I have the foresight to make a big batch of rice early in the week, I’ll make this recipe exactly as it's written. If not, I’ll add kimchi, gochujang, scallions, sesame, and soy, to the pre-made, frozen, fried rice I always keep on hand.
More of our Favorite Weeknight Meals
- 5 Weeknight Dinners I’m Making Instead of Ordering Takeout (Again)
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