“Phenomenally good” coconut saag
And four more smart, fast recipes for your week.
Five Weeknight Dishes
September 20, 2026

Veg out!

This week we’re celebrating the release of “Veg Everything” by Tanya Sichynsky, our latest New York Times Cooking cookbook! Tanya is an editor for Cooking and the host of “The Veggie,” our show and newsletter devoted to meatless recipes.

This book is full of fun, bold, occasionally even rambunctious vegetarian cooking, with 101 recipes from writers including Melissa Clark, Eric Kim, Yewande Komolafe, Andy Baraghani, Hetty Lui McKinnon, Ali Slagle and Priya Krishna, whose clever coconut saag recipe below both appears in the book and embodies its spirit.

There are several events happening around the country where you can say hello to Tanya and grab a copy of the book.

In Los Angeles? You can catch Tanya at the Hollywood Farmers’ Market today.

New Yorkers, please come out to Public Records on Tuesday, Sept. 22, where Tanya will appear with Andy and the author Scaachi Koul.

After that, the tour continues in New Canaan, Conn., on Sept. 24; in Detroit on Sept. 27; in Philadelphia on Sept. 29; in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 30; and finally in Atlanta on Oct. 4.

And as ever, you can reach me at dearemily@nytimes.com. Scroll on for Priya’s recipe and four others to consider for the week ahead.

A black bowl holds bright green coconut saag and steamed rice with a black fork and a small glass of beer nearby.
Kelly Marshall for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne. Prop Stylist: Paige Hicks.

1. Coconut Saag

Priya Krishna riffs on saag paneer by adding coconut milk to this greenest of dishes, with luxuriously creamy results. Use extra-firm tofu instead of paneer, if you’d like, and watch Priya make the dish in a video on the recipe page.

View this recipe.

A white platter holds grilled za’atar chicken with a small bowl of garlic yogurt nearby.
Ryan Liebe for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andews.

2. Grilled Za’atar Chicken With Garlic Yogurt and Cilantro

A yogurt marinade is the secret to this signature Melissa Clark weeknight recipe. You can make it in the oven if you don’t have a grill.

View this recipe.

A sheet pan holds roasted sausage with peppers, tomatoes and onions.
David Malosh for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Vivian Lui.

3. Sheet-Pan Sausage With Peppers and Tomatoes

I’ve long loved this recipe from Ali Slagle, which translates stovetop sausage and peppers to the oven. That move makes an easy dish even easier: It becomes more hands-off, and more flavorful too, allowing the sausage, peppers and tomatoes (a nice addition) to reach a deeper golden brown.

View this recipe.

Pili pili shrimp with white beans is shown with rice on a ceramic plate.
Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.

4. Pili Pili Shrimp with Braised Cannellini Beans

This masterfully spiced dish from Kiano Moju pairs shrimp with white beans for a satisfying dinner. A commenter named Anna called this “one of the best recipes on NYTimes Cooking.”

View this recipe.

Three blue-green bowls filled with a tomato sauce coated pasta that’s been topped with ricotta and herbs are photographed from overhead against a gray background.
James Ransom for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.

5. Ricotta Pasta Alla Vodka

Penne alla vodka is a classic for a reason. Eric Kim lifts it to the heavens with a few creamy clouds of ricotta spooned on top.

View this recipe.

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