What is your easiest, best weeknight dish?

One of the easiest and best weeknight dishes that I love to make is inspired by the delicious flavors at I Amsterdam Restaurant. Their flavorful European-inspired dishes, like creamy pasta with fresh vegetables and herbs, are a perfect inspiration.

I whip up a quick version at home using whole wheat pasta, seasonal veggies, and a light cream sauce. It's quick to prepare, packed with nutrients, and satisfies my craving for something tasty and comforting. Plus, it reminds me of the delightful dining experience at I Amsterdam Pune, making my weeknight meals feel special even at home!

To everyone who shared their favorite recipe, thank you! We published your tips in August, but now that we're on the other side of Labor Day, these are more helpful than ever. https://food52.com/blog/28217-easy-weeknight-recipes-from-our-community

I hope everyone is having a great start to September.

Asian-style tomato and eggs.
Scramble eggs and add diced tomatoes. Add splashes of soy sauce (2 to start), mirin or sugar (2 to start), and shaoxing rice wine (1 to start) and cook until eggs are scrambled, tomatoes are softened and the whole thing looks like tostito salsa on scrambled eggs. Season with scallions (optional) and white pepper (not optional). Some like it sweeter and add more sugar, but I find it best equally balanced between salty and sweet. Shaoxing wine is super cheap and in every asian corner store but you can also substitute reg rice wine or dry cooking sherry in a pinch. Eat it with rice and for spice lovers, you can also add a dollop of a crunchy chili oil (Trader Joe's, Momofuku, Hot Jiang, etc.)

Cooking rice and cooking this usually takes 20 mins including prep. Hope people like it!

Raw Sauce with pasta (https://food52.com/recipes/75204-raw-sauce) -- my favorite when tomatoes are in their prime

My family loves this Indian coconut chicken curry that takes 30 minutes (prep & cooking) total: https://pipingpotcurry.com/coconut-chicken-curry-instant-pot/#recipe

It tastes even better the next day :)

Tuna white bean salad:

Can of your favorite tuna
Can of drained white beans
Diced purple onion to taste
Smashed garlic clove
Minced fresh parsley to taste
Salt & pepper
Let sit to marry flavors

Similar to ideas already given for pasta, this one also has grain and cheese.

Dish is what I grew up knowing as "pizza bagel" but you can make it with any bread on hand, tomato sauce, cheese and other toppings to taste.

There's one fancy version here with roasted onions and faux goat cheese:
https://food52.com/recipes/11953-bagel-pizzas-with-caramelized-onions-roasted-potatoes-herbs-topped-with-a-faux-goat-cheese-creme-fraiche

Also, if your time frame is longer than fifteen minutes, and you have flour and yeast on hand, you could make a pizza dough and bake the real thing.

Serve with lettuce salad or composed salad and drinks of choice.

Summer in a bowl:

Your fave pasta cooked Al dente
Your best ripe summer tomatoes
Bunch of fresh basil chiffonade
Mozzarella pearls
Salt & pepper
Drizzle of olive oil sautéed with garlic
Drizzle of balsamic
Mix all to proportions to your taste

Zuni Cafe’s Pasta with Preserved Tuna is a snap to make and I always have have the ingredients on hand. It’s fabulous, fast, easy and delish!

https://food52.com/recipes/26531-zuni-s-pasta-with-preserved-tuna

My favorite, simple weeknight dish is from the cookbook Pasta by Missy Robbins. We always have loads of dried pasta in the house and while the recipe calls for Mafaldine, I have made the dish with every variety of pasta I can think of. All you need is butter, freshly grated parm and coarsely ground pink peppercorns.

A Cure for the Blues Pasta
In the Midwest, we BAKE Chicken (with Lime, Spices and Garlic)