Episode Info Episode 101: PASTA FOR SUPPER If you want to be popular, serve pasta! Everyone loves it, and Sara’s got the best recipes. Sara’s sister Annie’s Favorite Pasta comes together in no time, thanks to some basic breakfast sausages, tomatoes and cream — it’s so good! Ricotta Gnocchi with Sautéed Cherry Tomato Sauce is easy to make from scratch thanks to Sara’s special method, and the sauce is the perfect complement. Finally, there’s Quick Asparagus Lasagna with a supermarket shortcut you won’t believe!
Episode 102: THE SUBSTANTIAL SANDWICH When you don’t feel like turning on the stove and making a big meal, Sara has the solution. Why not mix it up, and assemble a substantial sandwich? Try a Pressed Smoked Salmon or Turkey Reuben — a lean and delicious nod to the corned beef classic. Sara’s tasty Fried Clam Sandwiches feature little neck clams in a light batter — these are so good! No one would complain about Middle Eastern Meatball Sandwiches topped with a tangy garlicky yogurt sauce. Incredibly delicious!
Episode 103: SOUP FOR SUPPER Hearty soups are meals in themselves. Sara’s are substantial and incredibly easy to make. She starts with a basic recipe for Chicken Broth, which is easy to prepare and well worth it. For cold weather comfort, a Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Spicy Chorizo and Greens is the perfect thing. Sara’s Seared Beef in Autumn Broth with Wasabi Cream creates a tasty bowl of comfort.
Episode 104: BREAKFAST FOR DINNER Are there nights when you come home from work and are so exhausted you pour yourself a bowl of cereal for dinner? There is nothing wrong with breakfast for dinner, but Sara’s got something a little more filling. Try her Egg, Canadian Bacon and Cheddar Biscuit Sandwiches — they’re really easy and fast. Eggs Baked in Ham Cups with Sofrito are so beautiful, they’re good enough for company. Sara’s Green Chile and Zucchini Quiche has a surprise crust that’s perfect for the pastry-impaired.
Episode 105: INDIAN STYLE There’s something about the flavorful combination of ingredients in Indian food that makes it a really nice change of pace from our typical weeknight meals. Sara’s friend Madhur Jaffrey joins her in the kitchen today to prepare a few of her quick and easy Indian favorites, like a tender Pork Vindaloo. Hard-boiled Eggs Masala is quick and nutritious served with a side of Whole Green Lentils, and Royal Chicken Cooked in Yogurt is paired with a cauliflower dish that is absolutely delicious.
Episode 106: SHOP AND SERVE Supermarkets have so many great ingredients to build on — why not take advantage of the work they’ve already done and make dinner a little easier during the week? You can whip up tasty Buffalo Chicken Wings in five minutes, thanks to Sara’s healthier oven- style short cut. Green Posole with Chicken is easy to make based on a supermarket rotisserie chicken, and Cheatin’ Jambalaya, so much simpler than the classic, is a total crowd pleaser.
Episode 107: VEGETABLE PLATES Vegetable entrees are incredibly tasty, and yes, they’re good for you! Grilled Shiitake, Sweet Potato and Eggplant Kabobs are colorful and delicious. They go really well with creamy sesame miso sauce. Sara’s Giant Stuffed Mushrooms, a nod to Mom’s bite-size hors d’oeuvres, use hearty portobellos to make them more of a meal.
Episode 108: BURGERS Why save burgers for cookouts? Everyone loves them, and they can be dressed up endlessly. A Portobello Burger is sure to satisfy meat lovers and vegetarians alike. With gorgonzola cheese, roasted red peppers and balsamic mayo on garlic bread — it’s a winner! Sara’s Asian-Style Turkey Burgers are a flavorful change of pace, an homage to a hamburger Sara learned to make in college…the DET Burger. With mushrooms, peppers, olives, onions and cheese, this is one delicious sandwich…with a secret ingredient.
Episode 109: JUST OPEN THE PANTRY Some days you just don’t have it in you to make one more trip to the store before you get home. No problem! Sara has easy meals you can make right out of the pantry, like her delicious Fried Rice. Everyone likes pasta, and Linguine with White Beans couldn’t be easier. Quick Salmon Cakes come together fast from a simple can of salmon, without a hint of that fishy taste. So go ahead — stage a pantry raid!
Episode 110: GREEK STYLE Chef Michael Psilakis joins Sara in the kitchen with some easy Greek recipes anyone can make at home, like Braised Lamb Yiouvetsi a one-pot stew, or Yiouvarlakia, a delicious meatball soup with a lemony egg foam. You’ll want to try hearty Vegetarian Yemista that Michael learned from his mom. It’s made up of baked vegetables, stuffed with peppers, squash and rice, and then flavored with herbs.
Episode 111: MEAT ENTRÉES Tender cuts of meat are perfect for weeknight meals because they cook up quickly and adapt easily to all kinds of preparations. Sara’s Pork Tournedos with Sage and Prosciutto are an elegant ode to pork spiked with lemon. Korean-Style Beef with Spicy Cabbage makes a plain skirt steak flavorful, and Sara’s Grilled Lamb and Onion Kabobs with a garlicky olive sauce only take 10 minutes of your time to make.
Episode 112: MEXICAN MADE EASY How can you not love the bright flavors, spices and chilies used in Mexican cooking? Chef and cookbook author Roberto Santibañez shares three simple recipes anyone can make in their own kitchen, like a Simple Adobo Marinated Chicken — eat it alone or use that chicken in some Quick and Easy Quesadillas. Enchiladas made with Fresh Corn Tortillas and a tasty Green Salsa can be prepared in advance, and then just popped in the oven. Finally, try Roasted Poblanos, stuffed to the brim with spinach and creamy goat cheese. Episode 113: POULTRY DINNER Poultry seems to find its way onto many dinner tables for quite a few weeknight meals. It’s versatile, affordable, and everyone likes it. For a new twist, try Chicken with Sausage and Hot Cherry Peppers. It’s so good! Sara’s Lemon Chicken cooks up quickly and is full of flavor, and her Sautéed Duck Breasts with Gingered Grape Sauce may sound fussy, but it couldn’t be simpler to prepare.
Episode 114: ITALIAN Who doesn't enjoy Italian style food? Chef Andrew Carmellini from the New York City restaurant A Voce joins Sara in the kitchen to share a few of his homey signature dishes like Chicken Leg Cacciatore with Sweet Peppers, Fennel and Green Olives, or a quick and delicious Grilled Swordfish with Salsa Giallo. Andrew’s Creamy Risotto recipe is easy, and inspired by his family history.
Episode 115: FROM THE SEA For most of us growing up, our only fish options were square, breaded and fried. Now you can find fresh seafood in your neighborhood, and it’s the perfect candidate for quick, healthy and delicious weeknight meals. Sara’s Steamed Mussels in Curried Coconut Broth are too easy to be that good. Be sure to have lots of toasted bread on hand for dipping! Try her Seared Fish topped with a Tangy Gazpacho Vinaigrette that’s so refreshing, and Roasted Salmon with Warm Lentil Salad in a Light Mustard Dressing is close to perfection for a fast and easy weeknight meal.
Episode 116: COOKING AHEAD Many recipes that involve tough cuts of meat and slow cooking do not require much of your time. These same recipes taste better the next day and freeze beautifully, so why not stockpile them on a Sunday to be enjoyed later on in the week? Sara’s incredibly tender Braised Short Ribs are served with Oven Baked Polenta and a creamy horseradish sauce. An easy and elegant Duck Confit cooks away in the oven…it’s so delicious!
Episode 117: ASIAN NOODLE DISHES Asian noodle dishes can be served a million different ways with just a few variations — plus, they couldn’t be easier to make at home! Cookbook author Corinne Trang joins Sara to make Cold Soba Noodles with Shiitake and Baby Bok Choy. Her Pad Thai with Shrimp, Tofu and Mung Beans is a delicious classic, and Ramen in Curry Sauce with String Beans and Ground Pork is nothing like those cups we all ate in college!
Episode 118: ENTRÉE SALADS Salads for supper are great when it is hot outside, but the way we see it, entrée-style salads are perfect for anytime of the year! Sara’s Fried Chicken Salad is juicy, crispy and delicious — and guess what — it’s not fried! Her Thai Style Steak Salad with Spicy Mint Dressing is refreshing and filling at the same time. Then there’s Sara’s Ham, Potato and Black-Eyed Pea Salad. It’s got a Creamy Garlic Dressing that tastes delicious on just about anything. Episode 119: SEA FARE Fish cooks up in no time at all, so it’s perfect for a weeknight meal. No one knows this versatile ingredient better than Sara’s old friend, author and chef Jasper White. He joins Sara in the kitchen with three terrific recipes, like his Classic Boston Baked Scrod. You’ll love his incredible Steamed Black Sea Bass that’s very light and elegant. A must- try recipe is Cataplana, steamed clams with garlic, tomatoes and Portuguese sausage.
Episode 120: PIZZA Pizza is the perfect base for almost any ingredients you have kickin’ around in the fridge. Sara’s easy Food Processor Pizza Dough takes exactly 6 minutes to make, no kidding. Or you can pick up some frozen pizza dough from the supermarket to create Middle Eastern Pizza featuring spicy lamb, and Sara will show you a new use for the grill pan to make spicy Grilled Southwestern Pizza.