It's Friday—a great day to indulge in a Southern specialty like country-fried steak. And it will be on the table in half an hour. The affordable minute steaks get a double dip in flour with egg in between, which creates a crunchy, light crust. The steaks rest in the oven while you prepare the gravy and green beans. Rice is a great accompaniment but mashed potatoes would also be delicious, too (start them ahead of time). I love how the the sautéed green beans balance the rich flavors of the steak and gravy.

What do you indulge in on Friday nights?

The season for hearty comfort food is totally on, but if you're feeling like you need a bit of a break from the stews and the steaks, try this delicate Mediterranean-inspired fish dish. Flaky trout is topped with a nutty, aromatic butter sauce, and chopped olives and nonpareil capers (the really small ones) add a salty tang that's reminiscent of a warm ocean breeze. If you can't find the small variety of capers, buy the large ones and roughly chop them. This dish of pleasing sunny flavors will be a vacation in and of itself.

What's your favorite fish to cook at home?

My grade school always hosted a chili supper as its fall fund-raiser, and so come colder weather, chili is the dish I start longing for. This version is great because it's ready in 30 minutes—perfect for a quick weeknight meal. There are lots of chili recipes out there, each with a secret ingredient that makes it shine: Here, chipotle chiles in adobo (found in the Mexican section of the supermarket) provide some smoky spice. Cheddar cheese is a great garnish, but I also put sour cream, chopped scallions, and corn chips on the table, so everyone can add their favorite topper.

What is your favorite chili's secret ingredient?

Quick-cooking, affordable ground beef is such a smart dinnertime solution. Here, it's cooked with potatoes, tomatoes, and spices to make hearty homemade burritos.  I especially like this recipe since I think potatoes are much tastier in burritos than rice is!  If you're feeding a crowd, they're sure to please -- and you can set out bowls with cilantro, sour cream, and cheese for folks to top their burritos as they please.

What do you love to have in your burritos?

This a quick, flavorful weeknight shrimp dinner. While the pasta is boiling, you can prep and cook the rest of the ingredients. Orange marmalade, soy sauce, and sesame oil create a sweet and salty sauce for the dish. The pepper and scallions are cooked just until the shrimp is done, so they stay crisp and fresh tasting. And if you prefer rice to pasta, feel free to make the switch.

What 20-minute meal do you turn to on weeknights?