Weeknight Rescue//Spring 2022//Shrimp Rolls,Skirt Steak,Pasta with Tomato Sauce, Chicken Quesadillas, Black Beans

Even though it’s still technically spring, today’s menu is a peek into summer meals. We’ve got tender roasted apricots, steak on the grill, and a shrimp roll inspired by East Coast cookouts. I’ve also included a favorite way to cook eggs that I’ve been making on repeat since my kids came home for summer.

LIGHTER NEW ENGLAND-STYLE SHRIMP ROLLS

This is a little taste of my New England roots. It’s essentially the same idea as a lobster roll, just a different shellfish and on the little lighter side. Add corn on the cob and sliced watermelon and you might just feel like you’re at the beach.

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK WITH SALSA VERDE

Throwing something on the grill is an easy fix for dinner, especially if you have friends joining you. In this case, it’s skirt steak (or flank steak) along with an Italian-style salsa verde. If you want to set the recipe aside for a special occasion, it’s just right for Father’s Day. Grill or roast some little potatoes or other vegetables and toss together a salad with this vinaigrette. 

PASTA WITH SIMPLE TOMATO SAUCE

Sometimes a basic plate of pasta with red sauce hits the spot. This sauce couldn’t be easier and is delicious tossed with any shape of pasta you like. Add freshly shaved Parmesan and a crisp salad (I’ve been leaning heaving on this dressing I developed for Simply Recipes). For a second veggie, try roasting asparagus using this method..

LOADED CHICKEN QUESADILLAS WITH AVOCADO SALSA

These quesadillas are a good way to use up leftover chicken or repurpose a rotisserie chicken from the store. Pair quesadilla wedges with a plate of crunchy veggies and a simple guacamole (1 avocado smashed with a few teaspoons lime juice, a tablespoon of minced onion, and a pinch of salt). The black beans below also make a terrific side dish (or swap for the chicken if you want to make these vegetarian).

INSTANT POT BLACK BEANS (or this Stovetop Version)

A simple pot of beans like this can be transformed into dinner in no time. Make them the center of a DIY taco bar, do up burrito bowls like these, or whirl them into a quick soup like this.

SOFT-COOKED EGGS WITH BUTTERED TOAST “SOLDIERS”

My kids always talk about how often I made these tender eggs when they were little. They did (and still do) love dunking toast fingers into the yolk. If you’ve never used this method, give it a try!

BROWN SUGAR ROASTED APRICOTS WITH CREME FRAICHE

A four-ingredient dessert that you can throw together in a snap. After your apricots bubble in the oven, just add a spoonful of honey-sweetened crème fraîche and expect to want seconds.