Weeknight Meals

Serve atop mashed potatoes or, for a nice twist, on a piece of toasted garlic bread.

With some warm corn bread, this chili is a meal in itself. You wouldn't know there was chocolate in the recipe, but it adds a subtle depth of flavor to the dish.

A piquant relish that is also a great sauce for pasta. To serve two people, simply double the sauce and toss it with eight ounces of freshly cooked pasta.

In the late nineteenth century, salmon was so abundant in Scotland that servants refused to eat it more than three times a week — but then again, they didn't have the recipe for this delicious hash. Top each serving of the hash with one or two poached eggs. Make a watercress salad with a simple vinaigrette to have alongside, and offer a pitcher of mimosas or some juice to drink.

Called Dublin coddle, this traditional Irish dish is a quick main course.

Here's a party main dish that is easy to prepare and makes a lovely presentation.

I am particularly fond of this stir-fry because of the hot, peppery taste and penetrating aroma that comes from using so much ginger, and I find that people who have never had it before fall in love with it for the same reason. Of course, if you like a milder flavor, feel free to use less ginger; just be careful not to make it too mild, or the dish will be bland. In Cambodia, we believe that ginger has medicinal qualities and that it heats up the head and the whole system to make you feel better. With this in mind, you might want to try Ginger Catfish the next time you have a cold.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Although this dressing is rich in flavor, it has a surprisingly light and silky texture, which keeps it from weighing down the fragile lettuce.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. The fennel is the special flavor in this soup.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Even without the customary ham and chicken or turkey, these are satisfying. Scoop deli potato salad alongside, then offer gingersnaps and a fresh fruit compote with mint.

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but may require additional sitting time.

Complete the entrée with roasted red-skinned potatoes and boiled green beans. Serve pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.

A simple but flavorful poultry main course.

Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 40 min