Sometimes, the best thing a cook can do is turn to a mental database of quick-cooking, no-thinking dishes — good food you can put together in a hurry without a lot of pondering and preparation.
Maybe it's frittata time. Shred some zucchini and cook it with onion, add it to beaten eggs with Parmesan and torn basil leaves, then let it cook until it is almost set. A quick trip under the broiler to puff and brown the top and dinner is ready.
Some of the dishes are so simple you don’t even need a recipe. Take spaghetti with butter and Parmesan, a terrific go-to.