Easy dinner recipes: Great ideas using 6 ingredients in 30 minutes or less

Looking to fix dinner fast tonight? Each of these ideas uses only six ingredients and comes together in 30 minutes or less. Fix the recipes as they are, mix and match, or use them as templates to create your own dishes, adding additional flavorings or seasonings.

Slow-poached shrimp: Only a handful of ingredients are used in this easy recipe. The shrimp and all the flavorings are combined in a resealable bag and slow-poached for maximum flavor while keeping the shrimp tender and moist. It’s dinner in 15 minutes, and is perfect served over a bed of rice.

Creamy scrambled eggs: Eggs aren’t just for breakfast. Gently cook them to a soft scramble, sprinkle on some chopped fresh herbs and serve alongside some toasted baguette slices. It makes for a perfectly light main course.

Chilled tomato soup: Tomato soup doesn’t get any more fresh, simple or fast than this. Essentially nothing more than a chilled puree of fresh tomatoes, this is one dish in which quality of ingredients makes all the difference.

CHILLED TOMATO SOUP

Total time: 20 minutes, plus chilling time | Serves 4 to 6
Note: Adapted from Obika Mozzarella Bar and Ristorante.

2 pounds vine-ripened tomatoes
Salt and black pepper
4 to 6 tablespoons olive oil
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
2 to 3 dozen croutons, for garnish
4 to 6 tablespoons stracciatella di burrata or burrata cheese, for garnish

Cut the tomatoes into large pieces. Puree the tomatoes in a blender or in a bowl using a hand blender until smooth and creamy. Strain to remove the seeds, if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper (seasoning will vary depending on type and ripeness of the tomatoes). Chill the puree over an ice bath or refrigerate just until cold. Pour into individual bowls, drizzling over a little olive oil and garnishing with fresh basil leaves. Finish each with 5 to 6 croutons and a tablespoon of stracciatella di burrata.

Each of 6 servings: Calories 164; Protein 3 grams; Carbohydrates 6 grams; Fiber 2 grams; Fat 14 grams; Saturated fat 3 grams; Cholesterol 9 mg; Sugar 4 grams; Sodium 21 mg.

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