Five weeknight dishes: Smart shortcuts for big flavor

By Emily Weinstein, The New York Times

I love a cooking shortcut, especially when it delivers tremendous flavor. Ingredients like Italian sausage, kimchi and feta cheese are immediate dish boosters, doing much of the heavy lifting for you. I’m also happy to lean on packaged sliced or chopped vegetables at the end of the busy day. (I can’t remember who told me to buy peeled garlic, but I’m indebted to you.) The recipes below are animated with that big flavor energy, without requiring extra work from you.

1. Grilled Shrimp With Spicy Slaw

Lightly charred, citrusy grilled shrimp are the star of this quick slaw made from a pile of thinly sliced, crunchy green cabbage tossed with a sweet-tart citrus dressing. Cilantro adds bright flavor, and this dish has a bit of spice in the form of fresh jalapeños. They range quite a bit in their heat level, so start with a small amount and add more as you see fit. (You can also add julienned mango t...