Ep 6. Modern Weeknight Meals

In season 18 episode 6 of America's Test Kitchen, titled Modern Weeknight Meals, the team presents innovative, creative, and quick recipes that make an ideal weeknight meal. The experts explore various techniques and ingredients to create easy-to-make, time-efficient meals that are delicious and satisfying.

The episode starts with a delicious recipe, Italian-style chicken, that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. The recipe includes tender chicken seasoned with Italian herbs, served with a side of fresh and flavorful risotto. The team explains the best way to cook chicken and create the risotto, providing tips for a perfect, creamy texture.

Next, the team presents a vegetarian take on a classic Chinese dish, mapo tofu. This version uses mushrooms as a flavorful substitute for pork, making it both vegetarian and lighter. The team explains how to use the right spices to create the dish's signature spicy and savory flavor, and how to cook the tofu to achieve a desirable texture.

The episode also dives into one-pot meals, which are perfect for those busy weeknights. The team creates a recipe for a hearty and healthy quinoa salad. The dish features a satisfying mixture of quinoa, roasted vegetables, and feta cheese, all tossed with a tangy dressing. The team also demonstrates how to cook quinoa perfectly so that it is fluffy and doesn't turn out mushy.

Additionally, the team showcases one-pot pasta cooking, which is an effortless way to add flavor to your meals. They explain the best method to cook pasta in just one pot, along with the right ingredients to make pesto pasta. This recipe features the classic combination of fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese. The team shares tips on how to use less pasta water to create the perfect sauce consistency.

The episode also includes a recipe for a crowd-pleaser game night snack, Korean-style fried chicken wings. The recipe includes a sweet and spicy sauce that adds a delicious kick to the wings while also providing a satisfying crunch. The team explains how to prevent the chicken from becoming greasy, and how to make sure it's cooked evenly for maximum flavor and crispiness.

Finally, the team presents a recipe for a comforting and satisfying seafood stew, perfect for colder nights. The stew features a variety of seafood, including shrimp, cod, and clams. The team shares tips on buying fresh seafood and how to prepare it for the stew properly. They also show how to use canned tomato sauce and stock to create a robust and flavorful broth that complements the seafood perfectly.

Overall, Modern Weeknight Meals is a packed episode filled with innovative and delicious recipes to add to your weekly meal rotation. The team provides step-by-step instructions and helpful tips on achieving the perfect flavor, texture, and presentation. Whether you're a busy parent or just looking for quick and tasty meal ideas, this episode of America's Test Kitchen has something for everyone.