Mid-week evenings come with their own personality. Wednesday nights hit hard, with light fatigue and lethargy. The weekend is still a while away, yet, the pumped ‘go get it’ attitude ebbs just a little. What can help the tired mind bounce back and get into the groove of the weekdays that remain is an indulgent dinner, full of comforting flavours.
Spending some time in the kitchen cooking such a delicious meal can also be a good change that inspires you for the next couple of days. These are dinner options which strike a balance between the ‘treating yourself’ vibe and weeknight cooking practicality, all the while putting flavour at the centre.
Creamy Mushroom And Spinach Pasta
Allow yourself to indulge a little in a delicious fettuccine wrapped in the creamy notes of mushroom, spinach and cheese sauce. Sautée the mushrooms to bring an umami depth into the pasta and toss in the baby spinach for some vibrantly green fibre quotient. Add cheddar or parmesan in generous proportions along with milk and cream to prepare the soft, creamy sauce. Use a single pan for preparing the pasta to minimise the dishes! Make the sauce first and add the boiled fettuccine later. A straightforward, creamy sauce, seasoned simply with salt and pepper makes the pasta taste luxurious without spending hours in the kitchen.
Paneer Butter Masala And Butter Naan
A delicious naan that literally drips melted butter is what will qualify as true butter naan at an indulgent mid-week dinner. Pair the naan with freshly made paneer butter masala. There are very few dishes which hit the comfort and luxury buttons like this classic number. A simmering tomato and onion gravy, laced with cream and cashews can be an instant mood lifter on a Wednesday evening. What’s more, any leftover paneer and gravy can be converted into a masala paneer wrap the next day, for an on-the-go lunch.
One-Pot Chicken Biryani
It is actually possible to prepare a chicken biryani without fuss, with minimum effort, in a single pot on a Wednesday evening. This recipe involves bringing together slow-cooked chicken and long grain rice that is flavoured with whole spices such as bay leaves, cinnamon, saffron and cloves in one handi. The fragrance of the robust spices and biryani masala released from the covered pot make the dish feel like a reward for all the hard work accomplished in the first half of the week. Garnish the aromatic rice dish with fried onions and coriander and serve with a side of raita.
Creamy Tomato Soup And Grilled Sandwiches
On mid-week winter evenings, prepare a delicious pot full of a creamy tomato soup seasoned subtly with salt, pepper and a hint of basil. Pair this comforting dish with grilled cheese sandwiches as a classic meal. Cheddar and mozzarella can be stuffed between two slices of generously buttered bread to make the grilled cheese. For making more sumptuous alternatives, add other ingredients to the sandwiches like caramelised onions, mushrooms and garlic butter or feta and pesto. Simple ingredients bring maximum comfort in this mid-week, cosy dinner.
Thai Coconut Curry With Steamed Rice
Warm, aromatic and comforting after a particularly long day, a Thai curry undercut by the creaminess of coconut milk and a coconut cream garnish can be the perfectly indulgent option to serve the whole family on a Wednesday evening. Mix assorted vegetables like beans, carrots and potatoes in the gravy and flavour these with basil, kaffir lime, galangal and spicy red chillies. Introduce tofu or prawns in the curry depending upon your culinary preferences. Add a bay leaf to the rice as it steams to enrich it with a spiced aroma.