Tamal Ray's Recipes for Zaatar Sesame Eggs and Butterbean Crudaiola

Cooking can be fun, but sometimes you have to be quick. These are two of my favorite low effort meals. Eggs are what I have for dinner if my boyfriend is out, or for breakfast after an overnight shift in the hospital. The beans need a little more time, but it's a very practical recipe. Both meet the minimum effort requirement but make for a filling meal.

Scrambled Eggs with Sesame and Za'atar (pictured above)

I I've done it a million times and I could do it with my eyes closed. I usually have a jar of toasted sesame seeds waiting, but if you want it even quicker, skip them altogether or substitute a drizzle of toasted sesame oil at the end.

Prepare 5 minCook 5 minFor 1

2 tsp sesame seeds 2 large eggs A pinch of milk A pinch of salt Vegetable oil for greasing 2 tsp of za 'atar1 tsp tahiniChilli flakes (optional)Toast, for serving (optional)

Put a small frying pan or skillet over medium heat, then dry toast the sesame seeds for a few minutes, until lightly browned - keep moving them around the pan to avoid burning - and pour into a small bowl.

Whisk the eggs, milk and salt in a medium bowl. Return the empty pan to high heat, add a drizzle of oil, then pour in the egg mixture, stirring - they cook quickly. Pour onto a plate, garnish with a sprinkle of zaatar, then drizzle with tahini and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and chili flakes, if using. Serve with hot buttered toast.

Butterbean crudaiola with tomatoes and basil

This recipe is inspired by the simple Italian pasta dish crudaiola, where the "sauce is made from raw tomatoes and basil. Its success really hinges on having the freshest, highest quality tomatoes you can afford. If you have a food processor, making the sauce be done in a snap.

Soak OvernightPrep 5 minCook 4 hr+Serves 4

300g Beans ¾ tsp salt 2 cloves garlic, peeled 30 g basil leaves 8 anchovy fillets 700 g tomatoes 4 tbsp olive oil Grated zest of 1 lemon, plus juice of half a lemon

Let tr soak the butter beans in plenty of cold water overnight. In the morning, drain the beans and put them in a...