Lunch

If you have ever peeled, seeded, and sliced cucumbers for salads, this recipe will hopefully change your mind. Smashing the cucumbers augments the vegetable's ability to absorb seasonings.

Make a batch of grains on Sunday and you're within striking distance of a winning dinner on any weeknight (and lunch al desko for days). Case in point: This easy stir-fry, which, when combined with the trusty #putaneggonit, is irresistible. We use kimchi juice to finish; it keeps the grains moist and gives the dish a kick.

Don't overcrowd the food processor with florets or you might end up with cauliflower "rice" that's a mix of too-big pieces and mush. Work in batches and keep the pulses short.

Philosophical question: Is it still a wedge if it isn't smothered in blue cheese and bacon? It's debatable, but we do know that this is a healthyish wedge salad we'd happily eat every day. It's got the rich part—a creamy tahini dressing that's so thick it anchors the greens. It's got the crunchy stuff—seeds and coarse salt. And it's got freshness—actual lettuce and herbs. Iceberg who?

Combine a few pantry staples to make this simple but luxurious anytime pasta.

This is an antidote to every side salad that ever was. Instead of meh greens, it's got shavings of fennel that bend and twist but keep their refreshing crunch. It's got a lean dressing and nuggets of deeply toasted croutons, meaty walnuts, and shards of Parmesan. It has acidity and zing—lemon juice, the zest, vinegar, mint, and red pepper flakes—just in case you were worried about palate fatigue. This is what salad looks like in 2018.

Sick days (real ones, at least) are unpredictable, so having a back-pocket broth that doesn’t require recipe planning should be part of your medicine cabinet.

This is hands-down the easiest way to make delicious chicken cutlets—no dredging or frying required. Stash a big batch in the freezer so they're ready to cook at a moment's notice.

This fresh, vegetable-packed soup is perfect for those chilly spring days when you're craving a bowl of something warm.

Make a hearty, vegetarian, tagine-inspired dinner in just 20 minutes with only pantry ingredients.

Keep these ingredients stocked in your pantry, and a briny, flavor-packed, classic Italian pasta will always be a dinner option.

Millet, a wonderfully healthy, naturally gluten-free grain, stands in for the more common bulgur wheat in the North African–inspired parsley salad in this simple baked chicken dish.

Tossed with a miso and tahini dressing, this spring-evoking grain bowl can be topped with whatever seasonal produce looks irresistible at the market.

This simple side dish comes together in just about 5 minutes.

One take on the Ukrainian salad known as shuki, perfect for Easter.

This gorgeous tumble of carrot ribbons and mixed herbs provides a crunchy, fresh counterpoint to any rich meat main.

This classic French soup is simple and make-ahead friendly, and a perfect choice for entertaining when asparagus is in season.