Greek
Greek salad
Tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives and feta with olive oil.
Quick dinner ideas
Seven dishes with less than 20 minutes of active preparation.
Au Menu helps you choose meals and plan your shopping.
Your week of quick dinners
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Shopping for the week
Fruit and vegetables
- chives · 10 g
- parsley · 5 g
- carrots · 75 g
- cucumber · 75 g
- rocket · 25 g
- thyme · 2 g
Dairy and cheese
- butter · 30 g
- egg · 3 pieces
- pouring cream · 50 ml
- egg · 2 eggs
- butter · 1 tbsp
- feta · 100 g
- fresh goat’s cheese · 100 g
Pantry
- ground turmeric · 1 g
- curry powder · 3 g
- coconut milk · 200 ml
- dried red lentils · 150 g
- basmati rice (dry) · 140 g
- salt · ½ tsp
- dried wheat and milk trahana · half a cup
Bakery
- slice of bread · 2 pieces
- wheat tortillas · 2 tortillas
- country bread · 2 slices
Au Menu suggests: starter, main, dessert
Starter, main and dessert: each recipe takes less than 20 active minutes.
Starter
See all recipes- Italian
Stracciatella — Roman egg and Parmesan soup
Beef broth with beaten eggs and Parmesan cooked into delicate shreds, finished with parsley and nutmeg.
- Hungarian
Körözött — túró spread with caraway
Cow and sheep curd cheeses mixed with butter, onion and sweet paprika.
- Asian
Miso soup with vegetables
A miso soup with silken tofu, wakame and carrots.
Main
See all recipes- French
Chive and parsley omelette
Omelette with chives and parsley.
- North African and Middle Eastern
Houmous and raw vegetable wraps
Tortillas filled with houmous, carrots, cucumber and rocket.
- Asian
Lentil curry with coconut milk
Red lentil curry with coconut milk and basmati rice.
- Italian
Spaghetti with garlic and olive oil
Spaghetti with garlic, olive oil and chilli.
Dessert
See all recipes- American
Banana bread
A banana loaf made with ripe bananas.
- Welsh
Bara brith — tea-soaked fruit loaf
A spiced dried-fruit loaf softened by soaking the fruit in tea.
Pets-de-sœur — hazelnut pastry spirals
Puff pastry spirals filled with hazelnut spread and toasted hazelnuts.
- Halloween
Crisp cinnamon tortilla bats
Crisp tortilla shapes with butter, sugar and cinnamon.
Tips for planning your week
Choose for the time you want to eat
If dinner needs to be on the table soon, check total time first. A dish can involve little hands-on work but spend a long time in the oven. These recipes take under 20 active minutes; cooking and resting may extend the wait.
Keep a useful cupboard and freezer
Cooked pulses, tinned tomatoes and plain frozen vegetables reduce preparation on busy evenings. Keep a staple whose cooking time you know. Set out ingredients and equipment before starting so you do not interrupt a short recipe to search for them.
Start tasks in a sensible order
Begin with the longest task: heating water or cooking a grain, then chopping and making the sauce. Use unattended cooking time to prepare the next part. Avoid starting several tasks that all need constant attention.
Keep the whole meal manageable
An elaborate starter and dessert can turn a quick dinner into a lengthy job. If the main dish needs your attention, simple raw vegetables and a piece of fruit can round it out. More guests may also mean extra chopping or cooking in batches.
Your questions about these meals
What can I cook with little preparation?
A filled omelette, pasta with a short sauce or a salad using cooked pulses are possible ideas. Check the recipe timings and what you already have ready.
Are all these meals ready in less than 20 minutes?
Not necessarily. This selection limits active, hands-on time. Total time also includes cooking and resting. To eat within 20 minutes, check both timings.
How can I save time without cooking everything on Sunday?
Prepare one useful element: a sauce, washed vegetables or cooked pulses. Leave the finishing touches for the day you eat, and follow the storage requirements for each preparation.
What is the difference between quick and very quick?
On Au Menu, quick means under 20 active minutes and very quick means under 10. Neither replaces the total time shown in the recipe.