Setting a weeknight table

An ordinary dinner deserves a clear place to sit.

Clear the table before beginning to cook. Moving the day's papers and charging cables takes only a moment, but it makes dinner feel like a separate part of the evening.

Set out water, plates, and something to rest serving spoons on. A cloth napkin or a small bowl of herbs can be enough decoration. There is no need for everything to match.

Keep the meal itself manageable. One warm dish, something fresh, and enough time to sit down are a better starting point than several dishes that all need attention at the last minute.