Make a Sunday sauce…
But definitely not the kind that simmers for hours. You want one that comes together quickly, with little to no cooking, and that can hang out in your fridge. Pick a couple to make over the weekend, then use them to transform slices of toast, a few eggs, or whatever vegetables looked good to you at the market into dinner:
Muhammara: Pulse 1 cup toasted walnuts, 4 roasted red peppers from a jar, ½ cup fresh breadcrumbs, 2 Tbsp. olive oil, 2 Tbsp. pomegranate molasses, 2 Tbsp. mild red pepper flakes, 1 Tbsp. tahini, 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice, and ½ tsp. paprika in a food processor until mostly smooth; season with salt. Scoop up with pita or thin with water and stir into cooked grains like farro.
Herby ricotta dip: Blend ½ cup fresh ricotta and ¼ cup plain whole-milk yogurt with 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil and 1 finely grated garlic clove until smooth. Add 2 handfuls of tender herbs— parsley, cilantro, basil, mint, dill, or a combo— and blend until uniform. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with vegetables or spread on bread and top with salted sliced tomatoes.
Peanut sauce: Whisk ½ cup creamy peanut butter, 2 Tbsp. soy sauce, 2 Tbsp. unseasoned rice vinegar, 5 tsp. Sriracha, one 1″ piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped, 1 tsp. honey, and ½ cup warm water in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. If sauce looks a little thick, thin with a splash or so of water. Mix with ramen noodles and pan-fried tofu.
Ponzu vinaigrette: Mix one 1″ piece ginger, peeled, 1 garlic clove, lightly crushed, 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, 1 Tbsp. soy sauce, ½ tsp. honey, and ¼ tsp. toasted sesame oil; season with salt. Use to marinate steak, drizzle over seared salmon, or toss with rice noodles, cilantro, and shredded cabbage.
Sesame scallion sauce: Blend 5 scallions, 1 cup chopped parsley, ¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar, 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil, 1 Tbsp. sesame oil, and 1 Tbsp. honey until smooth. Add ½ sliced serrano chile and blend until incorporated; add water a teaspoonful or so at a time if sauce is too thick. Taste and add more chile if desired. Season with salt. Drizzle on fried eggs or use to dress salad greens or marinate shrimp or chicken.
