Cheese Croutons, Bulgogi Burgers and Crispy Rice
In other words: orecchiette salad with crisped halloumi, Korean cheeseburgers with sesame pickles and one-pan Iranian rice and runny eggs.
My job is to write to you about weeknight recipes, the dishes you can make at the end of a long day when you don’t have much time or energy, but still want something good to eat. But I’m a dessert person, and so first I must direct your attention to Melissa Clark’s new strawberry recipes, especially this strawberry cream cheese tart. Perfect for the long weekend!
In fact, all of this week’s selections work for Memorial Day weekend gatherings, in addition to the days that follow. But if you’re in need of more options, we’ve got a lot of recipes for you. Suggestions? Questions? Kitchen conundrums? Reach out to me anytime at [email protected]. And if you like New York Times Cooking, please consider subscribing.
1. Stovetop Barbecue Chicken
While it’s ideal to make barbecued chicken on a grill, you don’t actually need one. In Ali Slagle’s new recipe, you brush boneless, skinless chicken with barbecue sauce and then sear it on the stove until the sauce caramelizes. Smoked paprika in the sauce hints at the flavor you’d get from the grill.
2. Orecchiette Salad With Halloumi Croutons
I love halloumi, a cheese that sears and grills beautifully and delivers a salty, squeaky bite. Yossy Arefi uses it as you would croutons in this main-course pasta dish, which is full of tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs.
3. Korean Cheeseburgers With Sesame-Cucumber Pickles
I had outrageously good Korean barbecue last weekend, and I can still taste that combination of salty grilled steak and scallion sauce. Maybe this week I’ll make this barbecue-inspired recipe from Kay Chun, who converts those flavors into burger form. And here is Maangchi’s bulgogi recipe if you are looking for a classic barbecue experience, and Eric Kim’s bulgogi eggplant if you want to make it vegan.
4. Dry-Brined Salmon
Kenji López-Alt has a genius tip for making better salmon that results in crisper skin and juicier flesh (even if you accidentally overcook it). The secret is salting the fish at least eight hours ahead. Try it!
5. Crispy Rice With Dill and Runny Eggs
In this one-pan recipe, based on the Iranian dish baghali polo, Ali Slagle cooks eggs directly in rice with lots of dill and lima beans. It’s an easy, light and very green dinner.
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