There are just some nights when “cooking” is out of the question, and I draw the line just shy of heating things. That, I can do. But, the heating of food must not require much effort or participation on my part; there will be no simmering, then boiling, then bringing back down to a simmer. Not even my beloved grill pan makes the cut, and on these nights I rely on one appliance and one appliance only: the oven.

I also rely on my frozen, pre-made standbys: Trader Joe’s Eggplant Parmesan, and an Alexia Garlic Baguette. The Trader Joe’s eggplant parm is made without breading, and is delicious. This garlic baguette? I have no words. I have been obsessed with these puppies for years. And, they’re not all that bad for you fat/calories wise, unless you eat an entire baguette in one sitting, like I’ve been known to do. It’s culinary crack, I tell you.

So, with a pop in the oven, and a simple salad of butter lettuce, kalmata olives, and shaved carrots, you can turn this:

Into this: