From a reimagined “Romeo and Juliet” with a soundtrack of Max Martin pop hits to familiar favorites like “Glensheen” to several film-to-stage adaptations, the coming months have numerous options for live theater and musicals. The lineup includes both touring productions and homegrown shows.

Here’s a look at what’s on tap.

‘Mean Girls’

Cast members of “Mean Girls,” a musical based on the 2004 movie, perform during the show’s national tour. The show is one of five coming to the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts during its 2024-25 “Broadway at the Ordway” season. (Courtesy of The Ordway)

Opens April 8: Tina Fey wrote the book for this stage adaptation of her hit 2004 film, which features lyrics by Nell Benjamin (“Legally Blonde”) and music from Fey’s husband Jeff Richmond. In a review of the show’s Broadway debut in 2018, Variety said Fey “front-loaded the show with great gags … (and) throws in lots of snappy one-liners that actually work.” Through April 13; Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; $160-$45; 651-224-4222 or ordway.org.

‘Disney’s Frozen’

Opens April 15: Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s 1844 fairy tale “The Snow Queen,” the 2013 film “Frozen” was a smash with audiences and critics, some of whom called it Disney’s best animated film since the studio’s Renaissance era. It has since grown into a full-out franchise, with several sequels, Disney theme park attractions, a Disney on Ice show as well as the stage musical, which opened on Broadway in 2018. Through June 15; Children’s Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; $78-$15; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.

‘The Nacirema Society’

Opens April 19: This 2013 play — full title “The Nacirema Society Requests the Honor of Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First One Hundred Years” — is set in 1964 in Montgomery, where two high-society Black women planning the year’s debutante ball are hoping their grandchildren will become engaged to each other at the event. Things don’t go according to plan. Through May 25; Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis; $92-$32; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.

‘When We Are Found’

Opens April 24: Queer playwright Donja R. Love’s “When We Are Found” is about two lovers separated at sea, with one man searching for his lost companion. According to Penumbra, “Love’s newest fable is an achingly poignant and sometimes funny meditation on the passage of time and the persistence of love — and a hopeful prayer that what we seek finds us.” Through May 18; Penumbra, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul; $45-$20; 651-288-6786 or penumbratheatre.org.

‘& Juliet’

Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” is reimagined as a jukebox musical featuring songs by Swedish pop songwriter Max Martin (Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry). (Courtesy of Matthew Murphy)

Opens May 13: In a novel take on the jukebox musical, this reimagined take on Shakespeare’s classic love story uses music by the extraordinarily successful Swedish pop songwriter Max Martin. Some six Backstreet Boys songs join five from Britney Spears and hits from Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion, Bon Jovi, Pink and Ariana Grande. David West Read, who won an Emmy for his work as a writer and producer on “Schitt’s Creek,” wrote the book for the show, which is running on Broadway. Through May 18; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $118.95; hennepinarts.org.

‘Between Riverside and Crazy’

Opens May 14: This 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner follows a retired New York City policeman whose wife has died and whose son has just been released from jail. He’s pursuing a discrimination suit against the police department because he was accidentally shot by another police officer. Through June 8; Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, St. Paul; $60-$25; 651-291-7005 or parksquaretheatre.org.

‘Whoa Nellie: The Outlaw King of the Wild Middle West’

Opens May 17: Josef Evans’ new musical is the tale of a fake detective (and former child performer) whose countless criminal exploits and penchant for male attire made her a Minnesota media sensation. Along the way, her story examines historical realities around gender, addiction, mental health and celebrity. Through June 8; History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; $74-$30; 651-292-4323 or historytheatre.com.

‘Passion’

Opens June 4: Theater Latté Da’s 99th main-stage production is a return to its signature staging of Stephen Sondheim’s masterworks. Set in 1860s Italy, it tells of a fiery love triangle that ignites when an army captain is transferred to a remote military outpost. There, the captain meets a woman who “turns out to be capable of adoration and desire unlike anything he has ever known.” Through July 13; Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. N.E., Minneapolis: tickets go on sale soon; 612-339-3003 or latteda.org.

‘Legally Blonde’

Opens June 10: Based on Amanda Brown’s novel and the 2001 film, the show follows a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. Along the way, she ends up defending a woman in a murder trial. In a review of the original Broadway production, the New York Times called it a “high-energy, empty-calories and expensive-looking hymn to the glories of girlishness.” Through June 15; Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; $135-$45; 651-224-4222 or ordway.org.

‘Cabaret’

Opens June 21: Set in late 1920s Berlin during the Jazz Age as the Nazis rise to power, the musical focuses on the hedonistic nightlife at the Kit Kat Klub. Originally staged on Broadway in 1966, the production ran for 1,166 performances and won eight Tonys. It’s been revived on Broadway several times, including the current version starring country star Orville Peck. Through Aug. 24; Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., Minneapolis; $105-$39; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.

‘Kimberly Akimbo’

Opens July 8: Written by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori, this acclaimed musical tells the story of a teenage girl who suffers from a condition that causes her to age rapidly, giving her the appearance of an elderly woman. The Broadway production won five Tony Awards, including best musical, book of a musical, original score and two acting nods. Through July 13; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $128.70-$49.25; hennepinarts.org.

‘Glensheen’

Opens July 9: Jeffrey Hatcher and Chan Poling’s “Glensheen” tells the true-crime story of the 1977 murder of Elisabeth Congdon and her personal-care attendant, Velma Pietila, in Duluth’s Glensheen mansion. It is a comedy, but the murder victims are treated with respect and compassion in the show. This is the 10th anniversary of this popular musical. Through July 27; History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; $88-$43; 651-292-4323 or historytheatre.com.

‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’

Opens Aug. 5: Disney’s live adaptation of its classic animated film ran 13 years on Broadway and has grossed more than $1.7 billion worldwide. It has since lived on through countless tours and local productions, both professional and student. Its best-known songs include “Be Our Guest,” “Gaston” and “Human Again.” This production is billed as “newly reimagined” for the show’s 30th anniversary. Through Aug. 17; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; $178.95-$50.25; hennepinarts.org.

Across St. Paul and the Twin Cities, fine-art curators and gallerists are living large.

Sometimes this is literal: At The Museum of Russian Art, an exhibition aims to showcase the largest canvases curators could track down. The Minneapolis Institute of Art’s major exhibition, showcasing art owned by musicians Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, is titled “Giants.”

But the focus on going big is figurative, too. A cool show at the Minnesota Museum of American Art explores portraits as mirror-reflections of our emotions and relationships more broadly; at Calendula Gallery, photographer Jared Arvin explores the expansiveness of St. Paul at night.

And speaking of growing — or thinking small? — conceptual art gallery Night Club, which for a while was downtown thanks to a program offering free rent for vacant storefronts, is moving to a pocket-sized spot in the North End. Less square-footage, more ambition; look for a late summer or fall opening.

This guide is organized as follows: Shows for your spring calendar (openings and closings), shows for your summer calendar (openings and closings) and shows that remain on view throughout the spring and summer months.

Spring

Openings

April 4, Book Arts Exhibition — Friedli Gallery: This is the fourth annual exhibition of artist books, paper sculptures, boxes, letterpress, and other printed works curated by local artist Erin Maurelli. The opening reception (free) is from 6 to 8 p.m. April 4, and the show runs through May 31; 943 W. Seventh St.

“Before the Storm,” painted in 1957 by Nikolai I. Obrynba, is included in an upcoming exhibition at The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis. The canvas is quite large: About 5 feet tall and more than 8 feet wide. (Courtesy of The Museum of Russian Art)

April 12, “Monumental Soviet Paintings” — The Museum of Russian Art: If there’s one thing you probably know about Russia or the former U.S.S.R., it’s that it’s a big place. Turns out, Soviet artists created big paintings to match. This exhibition showcases “some of the largest paintings from the Soviet era that TMORA could unearth in private American collections,” the museum says. So as not to overwhelm you, though, don’t worry: “A few smaller canvases are also on view.” Museum entrance is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $5 for students, free for kids and members; 5500 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis.

April 12, The Plywood Quilt — St. Catherine University: In the West Gallery from April 12 to May 17, the Plywood Quilt project consists of 12-inch-by-12-inch plywood panels painted by community members between 2022 and 2025, particularly in response to racial justice movements. From 5 to 7 p.m. on April 12, the public is invited to add to the installation by painting their own small murals (free); Catherine G. Murphy Gallery, 2004 Randolph Ave.

April 22, “Stitching Black Legacy: The Quilts of Carolyn Mazloomi” — Textile Center: Carolyn Mazloomi is not just a renowned historian and curator of African American quilts; she is a quilting artist in her own right, and this show at the Textile Center is the largest-ever exhibition of her work. Her quilts are all black-and-white, a stark and bold style inspired by woodblock prints and newspaper images. On view through July 12 (free) during open hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday (till 7 p.m. Thursdays) at the Textile Center; 3000 University Ave S.E., Minneapolis.

April 25: “Saint Paul After Dark” — Calendula Gallery: Photographer (and gallery co-owner) Jared Arvin estimates he walks about 30 miles a week photographing the city at night, capturing buildings, streets and landscapes in moody darkness. On view 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends (and select Friday evenings) at Calendula Gallery; 275 E. Fourth St., Suite 110.

“Snow Fields” is a 2024 watercolor painting by the late St. Paul painter and arts educator William Murray. Murray, who died in late 2024, spent several decades leading the fine arts program at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater. (Courtesy of Groveland Gallery)

May 3, “In Memoriam: William Murray” — Groveland Gallery: St. Paul painter and longtime Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater fine arts instructor William Murray experienced a burst of creativity throughout 2024 and was planning a solo gallery show, but unfortunately died in November 2024, before the show was set to open. In his memory, his family and Groveland Gallery are mounting an exhibition of Murray’s new watercolor paintings, most of which are inspired by the Boundary Waters. Opening reception 2–5 p.m. May 3; show runs through May 24. Free during gallery hours, 12–5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays at Groveland Gallery; 25 Groveland Terrace, Minneapolis.

Last chances

Go before April 27, “When You’re In The Mirror…” — The Minnesota Museum of American Art: Don’t miss this cool show exploring portraiture and the ways our feelings about and relationships with people (and ourselves!) shape the very literal ways we perceive them. Featuring well-known local and national artists including Wanda Gág, Leslie Barlow, Frances Cranmer Greenman, Beatrice Wood and others. Entry is free; 350 N. Robert St.

Go before May 1 — “April Fools,” Grand Hand Gallery: Two pairs of married artists — noted sculptor and printmaker Kinji Akagawa and textile artist Nancy Gipple of Afton, and potters Randy Johnston and Jan McKeachie Johnston of River Falls, Wisc. — are showing work in an exhibition the artists themselves wanted to title “April Fools.” On view during gallery hours (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Wednesdays and Fridays and Saturdays; 10 to 7 p.m. Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays) at the Grand Hand Gallery; 619 Grand Ave.

“Spring Fever” by Minnesota artist Surelle Strike sits waiting to be hung on March 31, 2025, at ArtReach St. Croix in Stillwater. The artwork is one of more than 100 in the upcoming show “Mental Health, finding creative solace,” on view at both Artreach and the Washington County Courthouse. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)

Go before May 10, “Mental Health, finding creative solace” — ArtReach St. Croix and Washington County Courthouse: More than 100 works, ranging from sculpture to painting to bookmaking, by more than 60 artists from Minnesota and Wisconsin will be on display in this show, which focuses on themes of mental well-being, stigma and strength. The free show is split across two venues: ArtReach St. Croix (224 N. Fourth St., Stillwater), open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday; Washington County Courthouse (101 W. Pine St., Stillwater), open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekends.

Go before May 18, “Seen” — Weisman Art Museum: Artists in this exhibition are currently incarcerated and, along with other artists and activists, their seven installations explore the inside/outside distinction, processes of healing and community-building and the impacts of the criminal legal system. Free; 333 E. River Pkwy., Minneapolis.

Go before May 31, “Artistic Kaleidoscope II” — Burl Gallery: This Lowertown art space (formerly known as Argyle Zebra Community Gallery) has a cool curatorial model: All their shows in a year focus on one specific metaphor. Last year was alchemy as transformation; this year, they’re using the kaleidoscope to discuss perspective, turning brokenness into beauty and diverse complexity. Very cool stuff. Specifically, this show includes original art by 69 artists on that theme. Free during gallery hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends), with a community reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 26; 308 E. Prince St.

Summer

Openings

June 5, “Queering Indigeneity” — the M: This exhibition at the Minnesota Museum of American Art showcases a multiyear project led by artist Penny Kagigebi to amplify Indigenous culture bearers and the artistic voices of queer or 2-Spirit Native artists.

June 21, “Salad Hilowle: Inscriptions” — American Swedish Institute: This is the first major solo exhibition outside Sweden for artist Salad Hilowle, who was born in Somalia and grew up in the Swedish city of Gävle. His work encompasses video, sculpture, textile, photography and other sound/performative installations that address the complexity of the Afro-Swedish experience. Entrance to the American Swedish Institute is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $8 for youth and college students; it’s free for members all the time and for the public after 3 p.m. Thursdays; 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis.

Trisha Brown Dance Company presented “Glacial Decoy” in 1979. (Boyd Hagen / Walker Art Center)

June 26, “Trisha Brown and Robert Rauschenberg: Glacial Decoy” — Walker Art Center: The now-iconic dance piece “Glacial Decoy” debuted at the Walker in 1979, created by postmodern dancer Brown and early pop artist Rauschenberg. This exhibition honors the work — and what would be Rauschenberg’s 100th birthday — with photo, lithographic prints, original costumes, video installations, and more. Live performances will also be scheduled. Included with required timed-entry museum ticket: $18 for general admission; $16 for seniors; $12 for students; free for kids, teens and Walker members. 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis.

June 13, “The Medium is the Message: Three Voices in Clay” — Friedli Gallery: This show highlights three artists using similar mediums but conveying unique stories and emotional themes.

Last Chances

The 2016–17 charcoal, pastel and pencil artwork “Paris Apartment,” by Toyin Ojih Odutola, is part of the Dean Collection, owned by musicians Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys and on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. (Joshua White / Minneapolis Institute of Art)

Go before July 13, “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys” — Minneapolis Institute of Art: The Mia’s blockbuster summer show, visiting from the Brooklyn Museum, highlights nearly 100 works by Black artists including Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Amy Sherald. The collection is owned by married musicians Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, who were in town for the show’s opening this spring. Timed tickets to this special exhibition ($20) are required for visitors over 17 years old at new.artsmia.org/exhibition/giants, but museum admission is otherwise free; 2400 Third Ave. S., Minneapolis.

Go before Aug. 10, “Hokusai | Monet” — the Mia: While you’re there for the Giants show — or on another visit — check out this cool exhibition of floral paintings by painter Claude Monet and printmaker Katsushika Hokusai, bringing mid-1800s French and Japanese art into conversation. This exhibit is free.

On view all season

“Ways of Knowing” — Walker: Eleven artists, many of whose works in this show are being displayed in the U.S. for the first time here, explore how we know what we know and how we find truth in history and in the physical world. How do we come to know information? How do we know what’s real and what’s imagined? Exhibition is included with museum entry ticket.

The Cafesjian Art Trust’s building in Shoreview is adorned with colorful paneling that distinguishes it from nearby buildings, shown here on Sept. 29, 2022. (Jared Kaufman / Pioneer Press)

“Echoes of Life: Paintings from the Collection” — Cafesjian Art Trust: Since the Shoreview modern art museum opened a few years ago, its exhibitions have focused on displaying various aspects of philanthropist Gerard Cafesjian’s extensive personal collection. This show is focused on paintings that highlight small moments of the human existence. (This is the last show programmed by the museum’s previous curator focusing solely on the Cafesjian collection, at least for now; upcoming shows by a new curatorial team will feature more traveling work and a broader modern and contemporary focus.) Free admission; museum is open Thursdays and Fridays by timed reservations only and Saturdays general admission; 4600 Churchill St, Shoreview.

(Courtesy of the author)

SELINA LI BI: Filipino-American discusses her debut young adult novel “Sunlight Playing Over a Mountain,” the story of an imperfect mother-daughter relationship and the girl who is trying to hold everything together. In conversation with Cristina Oxtra. 6 p.m. Thursday, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul.

BOLDT/BURTON: Jeffrey Burton signs copies of “Second Grave,” latest in his Chicago K-9 thriller series, and Jeffrey Boldt signs copies of “Big Lake Troubles,” his eco-thriller set on Lake Superior. Noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Once Upon a Crime, 604 W. 26th St., Mpls.

CORI DOERRFELD: Minnesotan discusses “Nellie’s Big Splash,” about a newly hatched turtle overcoming her fear of the big ocean. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul.

JILL ELAINE HASDAY: Discusses “We the Men: How Forgetting Women’s Struggle for Equality Perpetuates Inequality,” with June Carbone. 7 p.m. Monday, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.

SAMANTHA IRBY: Comedian and bestselling essayist and memoirist presents her new book of essays, “Quietly Hostile,” in a virtual/streaming program in the Club Book series. Free. 7 p.m. Monday.  Registration not required. Go to facebook.com/ClubBook.

DONNA ISAAC: Presents her new poetry collection, “In the Tilling,” joined by poets Ted King, Suki Sun, Dralandra Larkins. 1 p.m. Sunday, April 6, Boneshaker Books, 2002 23rd Ave., Mpls.

WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER: Bestselling Minnesota author of the Cork O’Connor mystery series discusses why evil exists in the world created by a benevolent God with St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church lead pastor Mike Carlson. Free. 1 p.m. Saturday, St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi

MIDSTREAM READING SERIES: Presents poets Jose Felipe Ozuna, Ellen Rogers, Any Fleury and Ken McCullough, hosted by Richard Terrill. Free. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Unity Church-Unitarian, 732 Holly Ave., St. Paul.

Related Articles

Readers and writers: Haunting tale set in Lake Superior lighthouse is must-read

Literary picks for week of April 6: ‘Great Gatsby’ readings

Live reading of ‘Great Gatsby’ kicks off events marking 100th anniversary

The truth About F. Scott Fitzgerald’s drunken brawl in Rome

Literary calendar for week of March 30

April Fools’ Day is a holiday that could really use a signature dish. Chef and author Rozanne Gold once wrote an article arguing for “culinary pranksterism” for April Fools’; she’d long collected surprising but wonderful recipes, like a chicken roasted inside a watermelon and cake baked in a shoe box (women’s size 9, 24 servings). A more literal but still delicious option: the fool, a heavenly English dessert that consists of mashed fruit and lightly sweetened whipped cream.

Not a prank, and not a drill: garlicky Alfredo beans, featured below, can turn a can or two of white beans into a really good dinner.

Garlicky Alfredo Beans

Garlicky alfredo beans. Food styled by Spencer Richards. (Kerri Brewer / The New York Times)

This five-ingredient recipe transforms canned beans into a no-fuss, comforting meal that’s easy to whip together at the end of a long day. The beans are doused in a creamy, garlic-infused sauce that’s inspired by Alfredo, and topped with crunchy garlic chips. Choosing the right beans for this recipe might feel intimidating, but the most important thing to remember is texture. Beans that hold their shape and won’t immediately disappear in the sauce are ideal: butter (or lima), Great Northern or chickpeas will make great contenders for this recipe. When pan-frying the sliced garlic into chips, you’ll want to mix attentively for the best results, since the delicate garlic chips can burn very easily. Crunchy and flavorful, they’re worth the effort.

By Carolina Gelen

Yield: 4 servings

Total time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup unsalted butter

8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, plus 1 garlic clove, finely grated

Kosher salt

2 (15-ounce) cans white beans, rinsed

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup/2 ounces finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

PREPARATION:

1. Line a small plate with a paper towel.

2. In a medium pot over medium heat, combine the butter and sliced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes. Once the butter starts to foam, start lifting the garlic to check its color and continue cooking and stirring until it starts to turn golden, another minute. (The garlic can burn very easily — and can continue to darken and cook after it’s been removed from the heat — so make sure to keep an eye on the pot and remove the garlic before it reaches a dark golden color.)

3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic chips to the paper towel-lined plate and season with salt.

4. Add the beans, heavy cream, Parmesan and a hefty pinch of salt to the pot; stir to combine.

5. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook, stirring gently but frequently, for about 5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.

6. Stir in the grated garlic and continue simmering for 2 minutes, until fragrant.

7. Divide among bowls. Top with additional Parmesan and the garlic chips.

Chicken Jalfrezi

Chicken Jalfrezi. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. (Christopher Testani / The New York Times)

Originally created as a way to add flavor to roasted meats, chicken jalfrezi is a tangy, spicy stir-fried curry with origins in Bengal. “Jalfrezi” translates to “hot fry,” and the dish typically features meat coated in a thick tomato-based gravy — a defining characteristic of the Anglo-Indian version that became popular through British curry houses in the mid-20th century. This recipe uses both Kashmiri chile powder and fresh serrano chiles to deliver its signature spicy kick.

By Zaynab Issa

Yield: 4 servings

Total time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 red or yellow bell peppers (or a combination), cut into 1-inch chunks

2 large yellow onions, 1 onion cut into 1-inch chunks and 1 onion finely diced

Kosher salt, preferably Diamond Crystal

6 garlic cloves, finely grated

1 (2-inch) piece ginger, peeled and finely grated

1 serrano chile, thinly sliced, plus more if desired for serving

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon garam masala

1 teaspoon Kashmiri chile powder (see tip)

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes (see tip)

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 teaspoon sugar

1 to 2 teaspoons rice vinegar or white vinegar

Basmati rice or naan (homemade or storebought), for serving

PREPARATION:

1. Heat a large high-sided skillet over high. Add 1 tablespoon oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the bell pepper and onion chunks. Cook, stirring once halfway through the cook, until crisp-tender and charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

2. Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, the finely diced onion, and 2 teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring often and scraping up any browned bits, until onion is softened and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Add garlic, ginger, serrano, cumin, coriander, garam masala, chile powder and turmeric and stir constantly to toast the spices until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add crushed tomatoes and 1 teaspoon of salt and stir to combine. Cook until deepened in color and beginning to stick to the bottom of the pan, 6 to 8 minutes.

4. Add chicken and 1 cup water and stir to combine. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken has cooked through and the gravy has thickened, about 12 minutes.

5. Stir in reserved bell pepper and onion chunks, sugar and vinegar to taste. Cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Serve with basmati rice or naan, topped with more serrano chile if desired.

TIPS:

To substitute Kashmiri chile powder, use 1/2 teaspoon paprika and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne, depending on your heat tolerance.

To substitute crushed tomatoes, use 1 pound of diced plum tomatoes (5 or 6 medium) and 2 tablespoons tomato paste, adding the tomato paste with the spices.

Salmon With Anchovy-Garlic Butter

Salmon With Anchovy-Garlic Butter. Food Stylist: Spencer Richards. (Christopher Testani / The New York Times)

Minced anchovies and garlic add a complex salinity to seared salmon, enriching and deepening its flavor. To get the most out of them, the anchovies and garlic are mashed into softened butter, which is used in two ways: as a cooking medium and as a sauce. Used to cook the salmon, the butter browns and the anchovies and garlic caramelize, turning sweet. When stirred into the pan sauce, the raw garlic and anchovies give an intense bite that’s mitigated by the creaminess of the butter. It’s a quickly made, weeknight-friendly dish that’s far more nuanced than the usual seared salmon — but no harder to prepare.

By Melissa Clark

Yield: 4 servings

Total time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

4 anchovy fillets, minced

1 fat garlic clove, minced (or 2 small ones)

1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

4 (6- to 8-ounce) skin-on salmon fillets

2 tablespoons drained capers, patted dry

1/2 lemon

Fresh chopped parsley, for serving

PREPARATION:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, mash together butter, anchovies, garlic, salt and pepper.

2. In a large ovenproof skillet, melt about half the anchovy butter. Add fish, skin side down. Cook for 3 minutes over high heat to brown the skin, spooning some pan drippings over the top of the fish as it cooks. Add capers to bottom of pan and transfer to oven. Roast until fish is just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Remove pan from oven and add remaining anchovy butter to pan to melt. Place salmon on plates and spoon buttery pan sauce over the top. Squeeze the lemon half over the salmon and garnish with chopped parsley. Serve.

Sheet-Pan Sausages, Sweet Potatoes and Balsamic Kale

Sheet-Pan Sausages, Sweet Potatoes and Balsamic Kale. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich. (Emma Fishman / The New York Times)

This cozy sheet-pan dinner has flavors we love to love all year long. As sausage, sweet potatoes and whole sage leaves roast together, the sage seasons the sweet potatoes and crisps as if you fried them. Meanwhile, kale leaves soften in a combination of balsamic vinegar, dried cranberries (or cherries), honey and shallot. When the sausages and sweet potatoes are browned, transfer them to plates, then use the pan drippings and residual heat on the sheet pan to turn the kale silky and tangy.

By Ali Slagle

Yield: 4 servings

Total time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausages

2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into 1-inch pieces

1/4 cup sage leaves

4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and black pepper

1/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries

1 shallot, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons honey

1 bunch kale

PREPARATION:

1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Score the sausages in a few places. Toss the sausages, sweet potatoes and sage on a sheet pan with 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper until well coated. Spread in an even layer and roast until golden brown and cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together the cranberries, shallot, vinegar, honey and remaining tablespoon oil. Strip the kale leaves of their stems, then rip the leaves into bite-size pieces and add to the bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss until coated and slightly wilted.

3. Transfer the cooked sausages and sweet potatoes to plates. Add the kale and balsamic mixture to the sheet pan and toss until the kale is warm. Serve with the sausages and sweet potatoes.

Extra-Green Pasta Salad

Extra-Green Pasta Salad. Food styled by Samantha Seneviratne. (Johnny Miller / The New York Times)

This vibrant green pasta salad gets its color from a combination of spinach and basil, but you can swap the spinach for arugula for a more peppery finish. (Some of us need a little bite in our lives!). The miso in the sauce does a lot of the heavy lifting, imparting a salty, almost Parmesan-like quality. You can eat the salad immediately or chilled for a summer picnic. If making it a day ahead, don’t add the basil garnish and cheese until you’re ready to serve.

By Andy Baraghani

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Total time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

Salt and pepper

1 pound short-cut pasta (such as rigatoni, campanelle or fusilli)

3 cups/8 ounces sugar snap peas

1 cup frozen English peas

3 packed cups/3 1/2 ounces baby spinach

2 packed cups/1 1/2 ounces basil leaves, plus more for serving

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons white miso

1 garlic clove, crushed

Zest and juice from 1 lemon

4 ounces Parmesan (or other firm salty cheese, such as feta or aged Gouda), thinly sliced

PREPARATION:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then throw in a handful of salt. Add the pasta, give it a stir and cook until al dente. Just before draining, add the snap peas and English peas to the boiling water to barely soften, 20 to 30 seconds. Drain the pasta and peas, and rinse lightly with cold water; set aside.

2. While the pasta water comes to a boil, place the spinach, basil, oil, miso, garlic, and lemon zest and juice in a blender. Blend to a bright green purée. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and a few grinds of pepper, then blend again.

3. Transfer the purée to a large bowl that is big enough to toss all the pasta. Add the pasta and peas, and toss until coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add the Parmesan and more basil leaves. Toss once more before serving.

Related Articles

Cooking with kids teaches healthy eating, life skills and more

Recipe: Pork chop crusty rolls conjure delicious memories of Hong Kong

These streamlined Neapolitan meatballs are made with panko breadcrumbs

Cheesy homemade manicotti is the star of this budget dinner for four

Recipes: Eggs too expensive? Here’s how to bake without them