Weeknight Meals

These peel-and-eat shrimp are great fun. Just make sure to have plenty of napkins on hand.

Moqueca de camarão Dendê (palm) oil brings to the cooking of coastal Brazil what drums bring to samba: an insistent underlying sensuality. It transforms the coconut milk with its deep orange-red color and makes the flavor of the shrimp sing. But it is as perishable as it is seductive, so smell it before you use it. Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 45 min

These quick and easy pizzas make great use of store-bought pizza dough, which is available in your grocer's freezer.

Canned chicken soup with a bit of oregano and lemon juice, accompanied by warm pita bread, starts the meal with the proper Greek flavors. Purchased baklava and strong coffee splashed with ouzo conclude the dinner in a spirited way.

Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 25 min

Use with sweet and buttery lettuces such as Boston and Bibb.

Tomato gratin and a watercress salad would be happy partners for these succulent chops.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Full of Beans Salad. The sugar dissolves and mellows the sharpness of the vinegar.

Use the smallest clams you can find. Mussels would also work in this dish. Serve with: Portuguese rolls and a green salad.

In Indonesia, the term sambal encompasses a wide range of condiments and side dishes. Our version gets its sweet and spicy flavor from pineapple and chiles. Active time: 35 min Start to finish: 50 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.