Swift suppers: Speedy new favourites ready in under 20 mins

For the everyday cook, who only has a little time.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

These days, I can't think of a single person I know who doesn't require a speedy meal multiple times a week, including the many culinary experts I work with who have well-kept kitchens and seem like they can whip up a gourmet meal at the snap of their fingers.

Try as we may, everyone is behest to the challenges of wilting carrots, impending expiry dates and frequent disruptions to weekly menu planning.

Fortunately, there is a solution: a trusty repertoire of speedy recipes you can rely on, and this season of The Cook Up is packed with a treasure trove that takes 20 minutes or less. Here are some of my favourite picks of the season.

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The Cook Up with Adam Liaw

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PG

series • 

cooking

PG

Yumi Stynes' tuna crudo

Episode: The Cook Up Season 6, episode 46

Ready in 12 minutes

This sashimi tuna crudo features freshness and crunch with cucumber, chillies, coriander and a soy- and mirin-based dressing. Served on a crispy wonton skin, this simple crudo makes for an elegant dinner party starter or a quick lunch.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

Adam Liaw's yuxiang eggplant

Episode: The Cook Up Season 6, episode 49

Ready in 15 minutes

This yuxiang eggplant recipe uses a microwave to help cut down on the eggplant cooking, resulting in perfectly cooked eggplant in a fraction of the time.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

Zaheda Ghani's tokhm o banjon roomey

Episode: The Cook Up Season 6, episode 54

Ready in 15 minutes

Tokhm o banjon roomey is a spiced Afghan egg dish that families often make when in need of a quick lunch. Serve with toasted Afghan bread for the ultimate experience.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

Giovanni Pilu's spaghetti bottarga and crema di pecorino

Episode: The Cook Up Season 6, episode 61

Ready in 15 minutes

This stunning spaghetti dish gets its umami kick from bottarga, a salted, cured fish roe, which adds complex and savoury notes to sauces and dishes.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

Adam Liaw's beef tagliata

Episode: The Cook Up Season 6, episode 59

Ready in 10 minutes

This Italian-style steak and rocket meal is packed with flavour, thanks to garlic, rosemary and lemon zest. Served with a fresh, rocket salad with shaved Parmesan cheese, this 10-minute meal is the perfect addition to your weekly rotation.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

Eddie Perfect's mussels in fresh tomato broth

Episode: The Cook Up Season 6, episode 77

Ready in 15 minutes

Mussels make for an ideal quick meal since they typically take less than 5 minutes to cook.

This recipe is a great way to use overripe tomatoes that are a bit too squishy to slice into sandwiches. Served with crusty bread and a tomato broth, this seafood sensation is sure to be a hit.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

Priscilla Hon's garlic chorizo and prawn linguine

Episode: The Cook Up Season 6, episode 79

Ready in 20 minutes

This simple pasta dish requires very little prep, and it is richly flavoured by smoky chorizo, sliced garlic and chilli oil.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

Khanh Ong's cheat's chicken and sweet corn egg drop soup

Episode: The Cook Up Season 6, episode 83

Ready in 10 minutes

This cheat's chicken and sweet corn egg drop soup is perfect for leftover roast chicken from a rotisserie.

It's reminiscent of your local Chinese takeaway, and will be ready in 10 minutes.

Cheat’s chicken and sweet corn egg drop soup Credit: Jiwon Kim

Now that you know some speedy recipes, it won't take long to work out which ones you want to make again. Then you'll be able to navigate a hectic weekly schedule with homemade, nourishing meals almost at the click of your fingers.