The line up for this week includes a few recipes I haven’t thought about in a while, including the very delicious Chicken Banh Mi. If you’ve already started your Super Bowl meal planning for next weekend, I highly recommend that Cheesy Artichoke Cauliflower Dip. It’s so good! You may want to check out these other healthyish game day eats.
Spinach and Feta Filo Pie
I’m crazy about this spinach pie! It’s wholesome and tasty. The recipe calls for frozen spinach, which is one of the reasons it’s relatively easy to assemble (no washing, stemming, or cooking the spinach in advance). Leftovers are terrific the next day reheated in the oven.
Red Lentil Coconut Curry Soup
Definitely one of my top soups of all time, this is both filling and incredibly nourishing. If you’ve got homemade chicken or veggie brought on hand, pull it out. There is nothing like homemade stock for making a terrific pot of soup!
Hanoi Chicken Banh Mi
Make sandwich night a little more interesting with flavor-packed banh mi. It’s a Vietnamese sandwich made with marinated chicken, pickled vegetables on a crusty baguette. If you can, make the vegetables ahead of time, so it’s easier to pull everything together come dinnertime.
Baked Tofu Parm
If you’ve got tofu skeptics in your life, this dish may just turn the tide. The tofu is breaded and baked until crispy and then layered with sauce and cheese. Add roasted broccoli (or the Modern Caesar salad below) and dinner is done. Leftovers are tasty a day or two later.
Steak on Arugula with Parmesan and Balsamic
We don’t eat beef often, but when we do this is an excellent (and so simple) way to enjoy it. I often opt for flank or skirt steak, since it cooks quickly and is more budget-friendly than plenty of other cuts (flanks steak is particularly lean as well).
Modern Caesar
The addition of shaved Brussels sprouts and colorful radicchio adds texture and a big hit of nutrients to a classic Caesar. Make it a main dish by adding a soft cook egg on the side or tossing slices of cooked chicken or chick peas into the mix.
Cheesy Artichoke Cauliflower Dip
For me football is the side show to the main event of the Super Bowl: the snacks (I also enjoy the ads, the halftime show, and now, keeping tabs on Taylor). This dip is one of my very favorites to set out during the game. The recipe swaps in lighter versions of sour cream and mayo and adds a hefty serving of cauliflower into the mix. The whole hot and delicious mess makes for a better-for-you recipe that won’t leave you with a food hangover once the football fun is done.
SHOPPING LIST
Spinach and Feta Pie
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
½ large yellow onion
1 pound frozen spinach
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¾ cup low-fat cottage cheese
6 ounces feta cheese
2 eggs
6 sheets whole wheat or regular filo dough
3 tablespoons butter
Red Lentil Coconut Curry Soup
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (32 ounce box)
One 13.5-ounce can light coconut milk
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon red curry paste
1 1/4 cups split red lentils
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons fish sauce (or 3/4 teaspoon salt)
3 medium carrots
1 large zucchini
1 lime
1/2 cup cilantro for garnish
Baked Vegetarian Tofu Parmigiana
14 ounces extra-firm tofu
¾ cup panko-style breadcrumbs
¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
1 ¾ cups marinara sauce
1 cup lightly packed shredded Mozzarella cheese
Hanoi Chicken Banh Mi
1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
¼ heaping teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 ½ tablespoon canola oil
1 large carrot
1 pound daikons, each no larger than 2 inches in diameter
2 teaspoons plus ½ cup sugar
1 ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
2 French baguettes
2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 English cucumber
1 small jalapeño
1 bunch fresh cilantro
Steak on Arugula with Balsamic
1 ½ pounds skirt steak or flank steak
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 cups gently packed baby arugula
2 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
1 small chunk Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Modern Caesar
3 oil-packed anchovy filets (or 1 tablespoon anchovy paste)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 large clove garlic
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar
Small chunk Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
5 cups chopped hearts of romaine or Little Gem lettuce (about 1 romaine heart or 2-3 Little Gems)
2 cups chopped radicchio (if radicchio is too bitter for your taste, use endive or additional romaine)
8 ounces Brussels sprouts (about 3 cups shredded)
1 medium ripe avocado
Cheesy Artichoke Cauliflower Dip
1 tablespoons olive oil
3 packed cups small cauliflower florets (about 1/2 medium head cauliflower)
One 14-ounce can artichoke hearts packed in brine
1/3 cup light sour cream
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
3 tablespoon minced chives
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
1 cup coarsely grated sharp Cheddar cheese
3 Whole Grain Flatout Flatbreads or pita breads