Sara's Weeknight Meals

A salute to the big spicy flavors of the Southwest with three winning recipes: first, Sara’s Duck Tacos and then Spicy Mushroom Enchiladas. Finally, Sara makes a special trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to cook with one of our viewers – Susie Trevisinno and make her surprising Dessert Fruit Tamales.

Sometimes its just too hot to turn on the oven. Sara’s got the summertime solution with two easy heat free recipes. First, her friend chef Giuseppe Fanelli joins Sara in the kitchen with a terrific meal sized Bruscetta al Tonno. Then, Sara whips up Asian Chicken Salad with Carrot Ginger Sauce. Cool off with Watermelon Screwdrivers and life is good!

Food just tastes better outside, especially at sporting events, outdoor concerts and holiday celebrations. Sara’s got some great choices – Homemade Beer Bread with Pulled Chicken Barbecue and Quick Cucumber Pickles. Then a cool, sweet and salty Two Melon Salad with Feta and Prosciutto, and finally Cold Pea Soup with Shrimp and Carrot Salad. She’ll even show you how to pack it all for an outdoor feast.

Both Huffington Post and Buzzfeed call Cinnamon Snail one of the top 5 food trucks in America. The food is that tasty – and without a trace of any animal product. Chef Adam Sobel will reveal his secrets to Sara when he cooks Korean Barbecue Tofu Tacos as well as Ancho Chili Black Bean Potato Skins.

Less is more when you use just 5 ingredients – less time, less money but with Sara’s easy recipes, much more flavor. Jean Anderson’s Oven Fried Chicken will knock you out along with two 5 ingredient sides, Southern Braised Mustard Greens and Creamed Corn and our Salmon with Wasabi Crust is just spicy enough.

Sometimes the fastest route to dinner is to saute or quick fry a piece of meat or fish. Sara shows the proper technique, and then how to make a quick pan sauce with the drippings. First, Hungarian Pork Sauté with Homemade Spaetzle; then spicy Blackened Fish with a Creole rub.

The French call cooking fish in a wrapper of foil or parchment ‘En Papillote’. We call it simply brilliant. Special guest Marc Vetri joins Sara with a delicious recipe for Clam Pasta en Papillote, then Sara shows us her own Salmon in a Bag with Citrus and Chiles– so full of flavor and moist you’ll use this easy technique on seafood from now on. And Sara throws in The Husband’s favorite side dish, Borscht Beets.

Parents rejoice! Sara has two kid friendly recipes, fast and easy for a weeknight, that will satisfy a picky palate but tasty and sophisticated enough to satisfy an adult. First up: Beer Batter Shrimp, then Sara and the kids cook Pasta Pizza. And tips for easy backseat snacks for the family on the go.

Sometimes the easiest way to get dinner on the table on a weeknight is to cook ahead on Sunday. Eat these hearty comfort meals on Sunday; reheat or use in tons of other ways during the week. Sara’s got Braised Brisket with ‘Flying Discs’ and Roast Chicken Stuffed with Zucchini and Cheese.

Embrace your leftovers with Sara’s quick and clever recipes using last night’s meal in an entirely new way. You’ll love Tomato, Chicken and Tortilla Soup, and any kind of cooked pasta can star again in Sara’s Brie, Bacon and Spaghetti Frittata.

Michele Scicolone has elevated the humble slow cooker to an instrument of high art, and we’ve got two of her best recipes – Pork Ragu with Broken Lasagne and Meatball Tagine with Couscous.

Spending less doesn’t mean less flavor or less healthy. Sara shows tricks for using inexpensive ingredients in big ways for inexpensive, but delicious meals like a Greens and Potato Pie and tasty Italian Onion Soup with a poached egg floating on the top.

What’s faster and easier than cooking a meal in one pan? Sara shares this secret for weeknight success with two flavorful recipes: Sunny Summer Soup with Zucchini Crisps, and Hearty Pearl Couscous and Shellfish Stew.

Chef Joey Campanaro such a cult following in New York City that it’s impossible to get seats in his restaurant, the Little Owl. Lucky for us, he’s showing us how to make those prized dishes at home. First – easy Salad Dressing Chicken with Escarole and Bean Salad. Then Grilled Scallion Dijon Lamb Chops with Parmesan Watercress and Pickled Onion.

Give Mom a break for a day with Sara’s easy but elegant recipes, with step-by-step instructions even cooking novices (like Dad and the kids) can master in a snap. She’s got a clever Cheese Sandwich Soufflé and glazed individual Meatloaf Burgers – both very easy for a non cook to master.

Dinner is in the pan with Sara’s Dinner Pies – savory meat and vegetables enclosed in a hearty crust. We’ve got BLT Pie, a twist on the popular sandwich, plus use Sara’s easy Speedy Pizza Dough recipe or store bought dough for a belly filling Broccoli Calzone.

The Chinese have mastered the quick weeknight meal with stir fry, and the master of stir fry is chef Grace Young. She’s got two favorite recipes – Chinese-Burmese Chili Chicken and Peppery Vegetarian Rice. Both have so many elements they form a meal in a wok. Plus, Grace’s great tips on seasoning a wok.

Entertaining is easy with Sara’s elegant but super simple recipes, even if your only guests are your immediate family on a weeknight. Try her Duck with Gingered Grape Sauce for an impressive entrée, and for food that’s fun, you can’t go wrong with the fabulously interactive Japanese Beef Fondue.

Who doesn’t like chicken and it’s feathered companions, turkey and duck? In a salute to our favorite birds, Sara presents: Duck Confit with Braised Leeks and Sauerkraut and Angry Chicken, cooked with special guest, Top Chef’s Dale Talde. Plus, the best way to carve a roast turkey, chicken or duck.

Lamb is the go-to meat of the Middle East and in this episode, Sara combines two favorite lamb dishes with recipes she learned on a recent trip to Turkey. She’s got Lamb Chops with a Turkish Pear Salsa, plus Herbed Lamb and Feta Burgers. On top of that – an addictive Turkish Mushroom and Cheese Dip.