Eleanor Maidment's latest cookbook, "Crazy Busy Weeknights," offers a treasure trove of delicious and efficient recipes designed for hectic evenings. With a focus on simplicity and bold flavors, these dishes promise to transform your dinner routine without demanding hours in the kitchen.
Chicken Schnitzel with Broccoli & Bacon Slaw
Chicken schnitzel remains a universally adored meal, and this version is no exception. The recipe is versatile, allowing for substitutions with turkey, pork, or veal. For added convenience, many supermarkets sell pre-bashed escalopes, which can significantly cut down preparation time.
The schnitzel is perfectly complemented by a creamy and tangy broccoli and bacon slaw. To prepare the slaw, begin by frying smoked streaky bacon until golden. Break raw broccoli florets into small pieces, then combine with mayonnaise, Greek-style yogurt, hot horseradish, lemon juice, dried cranberries, red onion, and sunflower seeds. This combination creates a slaw that is both refreshing and satisfying.
For the schnitzel, chicken breasts are flattened to an even thickness, seasoned, and coated in a trio of plain flour, egg with garlic granules, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with sesame seeds. Pan-fried until golden and cooked through, the schnitzel is served alongside the slaw and lemon wedges for a zesty finish.
Traybaked Squash, Halloumi & Quinoa
This traybake recipe is a standout, offering a delightful mix of textures, flavors, and colors. Roasting quinoa adds an unexpected crunch, elevating the dish. Butternut squash and garlic cloves are roasted until golden, then combined with cooked quinoa, long-stem broccoli, and halloumi chunks. A final roast melds the ingredients together.
A dressing made from mashed roasted garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, and diced red chilli is spooned over the traybake before serving. This adds a sweet and spicy note that ties the dish together beautifully.
Spaghetti with Prawns & Caramelised Fennel
This pasta dish comes together in the time it takes to boil spaghetti, making it an ideal quick meal. Thinly sliced fennel is caramelised with shallot, garlic, and salt, creating a nutty and sweet base. Raw king prawns are quickly cooked in the same pan, then tossed with the spaghetti, lemon zest, juice, and a splash of cooking water. Garnished with fennel fronds, it's a light yet flavorful option.
Sesame Tuna Soba Noodles
A favorite for Friday nights, this dish rivals takeaway with minimal preparation. Soba noodles are topped with edamame, broccoli, avocado, and spring onions, then drizzled with a mirin dressing made from soy sauce, mirin, maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, and ginger. Sesame-crusted tuna steaks are pan-fried and sliced over the noodles, offering a protein-packed finish.
Gochujang Pork & Aubergine
Packed with flavor, this dish features grilled aubergine half-moons and minced pork stir-fried with onion, garlic, and ginger. A sauce of gochujang paste, soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine, and honey coats the ingredients, resulting in a spicy and savory meal ready in just half an hour. Served with rice or noodles and topped with Thai basil, it's a highly satisfying option.
Charred Harissa-Yoghurt Salmon with Corn Tabbouleh
A yogurt and harissa marinade transforms salmon into a bold centerpiece. Grilled until cooked through, the salmon is flaked over a vibrant bulgur salad inspired by tabbouleh. The salad includes sweetcorn, spring onions, radishes, and mint, dressed with olive oil, lemon juice, and allspice. This combination makes for a quick and nutritious supper.
Chickpea, Feta & Coriander Salad
This quick salad bursts with flavor, featuring crispy bacon, chickpeas, crumbled feta, cucumber, and coriander. A simple dressing of olive oil, lime juice, and honey ties everything together. For a vegetarian alternative, sun-dried tomatoes can replace the bacon, making it versatile for different dietary preferences.
Steak & Asparagus Rice Bowls with Miso-Mustard Sauce
Rib-eye steaks are pan-fried and served with charred asparagus and rice, all drizzled with a miso-mustard sauce. The sauce, made from single cream, white miso paste, soy sauce, English mustard, honey, garlic, and lemon juice, adds a salty and fiery kick. This meal can be prepared in about 20 minutes, especially if the sauce is made ahead of time.
Eleanor Maidment's "Crazy Busy Weeknights" is published by Ryland Peters & Small and available for purchase, offering more such inventive recipes to simplify your evening meals.
