Image via Complex Original
Bringing dinner to the table quickly can be daunting, especially if it’s a dish that’s beyond the realm of your regular repertoire. Caroline Wright, for her cookbook Twenty-Dollar, Twenty Minute Meals and her weekly column on Food52 by the same name, makes fast work of cooking fresh, simple and interesting dinners. The recipes feature real cooking techniques and ingredients that cook quickly. These recipes are about celebrating the delicious dinners you can cook quickly, rather than find shortcuts to make those you can’t. So, grab your market bag and stock up your refrigerator: here are our 10 favorite recipes from her column to get you going.
10. Skillet Roasted Chicken Thighs with Dandelion Greens + Baby Carrots
A busy cook's dream: one pot, four ingredients that were taking up space in your fridge, and the resulting simple, honest meal. Sing the praises of this well seasoned roasted chicken, tender carrots, and slighted wilted greens to the tune of no leftovers or dishes.Get the recipe on Food52.
9. Sweet Potato and Cilantro Quesadilla with Fried Egg + Cumin Oil
A smoky quesadilla that's hearty, not heavy, means you'll be full and satisfied without needing a siesta. We're also suckers for any dish that calls for a fried egg topper. Get the recipe on Food52.
8. Open-Faced Sandwich with Dilly Trout Pate
This open-faced sandwich is inspired by the Scandinavian smorgasbord, with small slices of pumpernickel spread with a mixture of chopped trout, herbs and cream. These neatly piled stacks of fresh flavors require the same short prep time as your go-to turkey sandwich without being dull and boring. Get the recipe on Food52.
7. Buckwheat Crepes with Brie + Honey Sauteed Swiss Chard
Broke and in a hurry no longer means you're stuck with ramen noodles. Whip up these crepes—literally—in a blender, bypassing the wait time that normally comes from preparing the batter by hand. Fill the cooked crepes with swiss chard and a nice hunk of Brie, for an inexpesive, yet impressive meatless meal. Get the recipe on Food52.
6. Pork Tenderloin with Cherry Mostarda + Mint Rice Salad
This juicy pork tenderloin brings a bit of elegance to the table with minimal cooking—just a quick sear in the skillet—and leftover rice. Don't let the cherry mostarda intimidate you—its just a simple pan sauce made with cherries, mustard, and vinegar. Get the recipe on Food52.
5. Sweet Potato, Radicchio + Tomato Hash with Harissa Hollandaise
We never get tired of eating breakfast for dinner. This hash, with contrasting flavors such as hearty sweet potato and spicy harissa, takes all that is flavorful and seasonal, mixes it together, and tosses it on a plate to be served, steaming hot, any time of day. Get the recipe on Food52.
4. Swiss Chard + Walnut Stuffed Tomatoes with Pancetta Breadcrumbs
This earthy, salty mix of greens and pancetta stuffed in a few sweet tomatoes means you'll have early fall on a plate in twenty minutes. Get the recipe on Food52.
3. Marinated Kale + Bulgur Salad with Cucumber
This salad marries two favorites together in one dish: crunchy, fresh kale with hearty grains. As an added bonus, you can make it in advance, so dinner is never far away. Get the recipe on Food52.
2. Manchego, Grilled Red Pepper + Potato Sandwich with Paprika Mayo
Why didn't we think of putting peppery potatoes and spicy mayonaise on a bun before? Hearty and filling, this sandwich achieves the stature of a burger with vegetarian ingredients. If you just can't stand the thought of a meatless meal, feel free to add a slice or two of serrano ham. Get the recipe on Food52.
1. Grilled 5-Spice Barbecue Chicken Wings with Herbs
These chicken wings—just seasoned with salt and pepper, grilled, and then tossed with an aromatic stir-together sauce—are the perfect tailgate meal. Making your own five spice may seem like an extra step, but there's no replacement for the flavor freshly toasted and ground spices bring. Get the recipe on Food52.
