For a lightened up twist on a comfort food favorite, this recipe swaps in nourishing vegetables for the often saturated fat heavy meat. Tacos are a mainstay in Mexican cuisine, and have been adapted and reiterated in every variety imaginable. This simple composition relies on a few quality ingredients to deliver big flavor and powerful nutritional benefits.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and this Italian style salad is the most delicious way I know to use up day old bread. the perfect vehicle for showing off summer corn and tomatoes, you’ll want to make this recipe all season long. Serve it on its own for a light lunch, or grill up some seafood for a company worthy dinner that’s as simple as it is delicious.
This quick and easy one-pot-wonder will be your new social distancing favorite! Protein-packed quinoa takes the place of tortillas in this lightened-up recipe, filled with all the punchy flavors you’d expect from your favorite enchiladas. Simple to make with basic pantry ingredients, and easily adapted based on the items you have available, this healthy, comforting, and filling dish is a recipe you’ll feel good about serving your family.
This super simple and quick summer cocktail barely merits a formal recipe. Juicy summer watermelon and tangy lime serve as the perfect vehicle for a delicious tequila cocktail, ideal for hot summer nights. Make up a big batch of these for your next summer gathering- they’ll be the hit of the party!
These overnight oats are so simple to throw together, they hardly merit a recipe. They’re my favorite way to get healthy oats and seeds into my toddler, and really taste like a treat when topped with your favorite fruit and drizzled with some extra honey or maple syrup. I usually make up a double batch on a Sunday, then we can enjoy a quick and nutritious breakfast or snack throughout the week. Top with chopped walnuts or almonds for an extra boost of protein.
This Vietnamese inspired dish combines punchy flavors with ground turmeric, which acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory in the body. Garlic, ginger, and chili also help to reduce oxidative stress on the body and aid the immune system, making this dish an excellent addition to your dinner rotation for cold and flu season.
Cucumbers offer hydration due to their high water content, and also help lower blood sugar. Fish provides a lean source of satiating protein, but if you’re not a fan you can swap in chicken with the recipe notes below.
This pantry friendly recipe is perfect for brightening up your social distancing recipe repertoire. Brussels sprouts keep for a long time in the fridge, so stock up when you can and enjoy this recipe alongside your other pantry favorites. It pairs perfectly with the protein of your choice, or as a fresh accompaniment for a grains and roasted veggies bowl. And the croutons are a delicious way to use up any bread that might be going stale. Make extras of the dressing to drizzle over uninspired leftovers to freshen them up!
Though its origin is often disputed, you’ll find socca, or chickpea flour pancakes in abundance throughout France, Italy, Spain, and even as far as Argentina. Whether called socca, farinata, or panisse, you’ll be happy to know you can easily recreate this delicious street fare in your own kitchen.
All the flavors of your favorite Mexican street corn, in nacho form! Sweet corn, creamy cotija cheese, spicy jalapenos, crunchy tortilla chips, and zesty lime make for the perfect snack. Make up a double batch if you’re feeding a crowd- these will go quickly!
Getting back to the swing of things after a decadent holiday season with this quick and warming Lentil Veggie Soup. I love that its basically dump, stir, and simmer, keeping things super fast and easy. This soup is perfect for batch cooking, freezer meals, packing for work/school lunch, and a great way to pack in tons of nutrition and immune boosters for little ones. Garlic, turmeric, and oregano all have powerful antiviral capabilities, making this recipe one you’ll want in your arsenal for cold & flu season. H preferred this creamy, so I just blitzed his in my blender till smooth.
Though historians debate the origins of the British classic Beef Wellington, many believe it owes its name to the Duke of Wellington, who famously defeated Napoleon. The English have a long-established tradition of meat dishes baked in pastry, so this iteration is a natural progression.
Traditionally made with luxurious beef tenderloin, this vegetarian version utilizes butternut squash and brussels sprouts, along with the classically included mushrooms duxelle, for a lightened-up and affordable version that still feels worthy of a celebration.
This vibrant salad is the ideal way to use up leftover turkey from your Thanksgiving dinner, and its fresh and punchy flavors are the perfect way to lighten up and wake up your taste buds after a rich meal. Fiber and water-rich cabbage helps boost digestion and hydration, and mint eases any stomach upset while helping to lower cholesterol levels. If you’re making this without any leftover turkey, simply substitute roasted or poached chicken or shrimp, or leave it out altogether to keep this recipe vegan.
This recipe is a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving table, and a welcomed riff off of the traditional ultra-rich dishes. Wild rice, squash, berries, and greens were all present at the first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621, making this recipe an excellent way to celebrate the season.
This warm and cozy soup will brighten up even the coldest and snowiest winter day. The perfect blend of sweet and spicy, and packed with immune boosting sweet potatoes, this recipe will quickly become your go-to cure-all for colds, the flu, and the winter blues.
These cheesy and spicy mashed potatoes bring a whole new life to the Thanksgiving classic. Everyone will be reaching for seconds when you make this recipe! To prepare in advance, spread the mashed potatoes in a casserole dish, sprinkle with cheese, and bake until warm when needed, then garnish with fresh cilantro and scallions when ready to serve.
This easy, healthy, flexible lunch is perfect for the school and work scramble. You can make up a jar for each family member the night before, then in the morning just grab and go! The best part is, everyone can customize their jar with their own personal favorites. Its also an excellent way to use up leftover vegetables and grains. Keeping the dressing separate from the salad keeps your meal crispy and fresh, and keeps everything from getting soggy. When you’re ready to eat, just invert your jar into a bowl and toss the dressing through the salad, or give everything a big shake, and dig in!
This herbed garlic salt will quickly replace that old bottle of “garlic salt” in your spice cabinet. Packed with fresh flavors of garlic, thyme, rosemary, and lemon, you’ll find countless ways to use this salt in your kitchen. Make up a double batch and give it to family and friend for the holidays.
Traditionally made with bulgur wheat, this fresh spin on the classic tabbouleh utilizes the super seed quinoa for amazing taste and texture, and an extra boost of complete protein. Parsley, while often relegated to the garnish category, is a health food in its own right. Rich in vitamins C, B12, K, A, folate, and iron, parsley keeps your immune system strong, and also acts as a natural diuretic and supports kidney function. Serve alongside grilled meat or seafood, or simply with crisp romaine lettuce for scooping.
With the last of summer tomatoes leaving the farmer’s market, roasting canned tomatoes boosts their flavor, and blend them into a super cozy, comforting soup is just the thing to warm you up on the fall days ahead. Feel free to double your batch- it makes for great leftovers and an excellent freezer meal!
