Scanning through the recipes in this week’s menu, the word that comes to my mind is balance. It’s got mega-healthy recipes, such as the Reset Button Salad and the Super Green Smoothie, and a few crowd-pleasers, including pizza and crispy fish sliders. It all adds up to a deliciously balanced week.
CHICKEN THIGHS WITH MAPLE CIDER VINEGAR GLAZE
If you’ve never had vinegar chicken, give it a whirl. This one has a refreshing salad on the side that pairs well with the tangy glaze. A whole-grain side of farro, sorghum, or brown rice tossed with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon might be nice, too.
RESET BUTTON SALAD WITH CARROT MISO GINGER VINAIGRETTE
I consider this the ultimate “reset” salad, perfect for when you’re looking for a break from heavy meals. It’s packed with colorful vegetables and served with a tangy, delicious miso dressing. If you’re serving it for a main dish, consider adding cooked chicken, chickpeas, or baked tofu for added protein and heft.
FISH SLIDERS WITH CREAMY CAPER SAUCE
Using store-bought breaded fish fillets is a huge time and energy saver for these fish sliders. Shredded cabbage and a simple creamy caper dressing add great texture and flavor to these. I’m always game for an extra vegetable side and these crispy baked sweet potato “fries” would be a great addition (or just a plate of crunchy raw veggies).
SLOW COOKER PINTO BEANS
Do up a pot of these pinto beans to use as the foundation for a rice and beans dinner. They’re also an excellent side for any of the recipes in the vegetarian tacos round-up I just posted. Add sliced avocado, your favorite salsa, corn or flour tortillas, and if you’re in the mood, this tasty Mexican Street Corn Salad.
PROSCIUTTO ARUGULA LAVASH PIZZA
Dinner doesn’t get any easier that this pizza, built on whole-wheat lavash (which works deliciously as a quick crust). If you’re an arugula superfan, toss a big handful with a splash of olive oil and balsamic and add it to the pizza after it’s out of the oven.
SUPER GREEN SMOOTHIE
This smoothie is a tasty way to reboot your routine. It’s packed with nutrient-rich fruits and veggies and so tasty, it goes down easy.
No-Bake Almond Butter Bars with Dark Chocolate
Everyone in my house is crazy about these bars. They are ridiculously good, especially with a glass of cold milk. Feel free to use another nut or seed butter if you like.
SHOPPING LIST // WEEK 36
Chicken Thighs with Maple Cider Vinegar Glaze
8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 1/2 to 4 pounds)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup thinly sliced shallots (from about 3 shallots)
1 large fennel bulb
1 Honeycrisp or other crunchy apple
2 tablespoons lemon juice, from about 1 juicy lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
Reset Button Salad with Carrot Miso Ginger Vinaigrette
1 bunch kale
3 cup chopped hearts of romaine lettuce
2 medium carrots
4 radishes
⅓ english cucumber
1 red pepper
1 small ripe avocado
⅓ cup roughly chopped Tamari or salted almonds
6 ounces baked teriyaki tofu cut into cubes or 2 cups cubed cooked chicken (if serving as a main course)
1/4 cup canola oil (I use expeller pressed, organic)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons white miso
1 teaspoon honey
2 medium carrots
1-inch long piece fresh ginger
Fish Sliders with Creamy Caper Dressing
16 ounces breaded frozen fish fillets
1/3 cup non-fat Greek-style yogurt
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
2 tablespoon capers
2 teaspoons pickle relish
1 teaspoon ketchup
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
8 slider buns
1 cup finely shredded cabbage
Pickled jalapeños, if desired
Slow Cooker Pinto Beans
1 pound dried pinto beans (2.5 cups)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Prosciutto Arugula Lavash Pizza
One 14.5-ounce can diced, unsalted tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Four 8×10-inch pieces whole wheat lavash bread
1 1/3 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups arugula or baby spinach
4 to 6 thin slices prosciutto
Super Green Smoothie
1 cup unsweetened macadamia nut milk (or other favorite milk)
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, or to taste
1 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger
1 small orange
1/2 cup coarsely grated carrot
1 cup baby spinach
No-Bake Almond Butter Bars with Dark Chocolate
1 cup smooth, unsweetened, natural almond butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/3 cup dried tart cherries
1/4 cup hulled hemp seeds
1/4 cup cacao nibs