Category: Healthy Recipes

Full of nutrient-rich ingredients, try this lighter take on lasagna without all the work! Portobello mushrooms are high in fiber, B12, and essential minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, copper, and selenium. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, copper, lutein and zeaxanthin (essential for healthy eye function). Garlic and onions contain compounds that fight infection and may reduce the risk of blood clots. Total Time:  45 minutes   INGREDIENTS: 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 loose cups baby spinach, chopped 3 cloves chopped garlic 1/3 cup chopped onion 1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper kosher salt 3/4 cup part skim ricotta 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1 large egg 4 large basil leaves, chopped 4 large portobello mushroom caps 1/2 cup marinara sauce 1/2 cup part skim shredded mozzarella   DIRECTIONS: Preheat the oven to 400F. Spray a baking sheet with oil. Gently remove the stems, scoop out the gills and spray the tops of the mushrooms with oil, season with 1/8 tsp salt and fresh pepper. Heat a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat, add oil, onion, garlic and red pepper and season with 1/8 tsp salt. Cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the baby spinach …

There are still a couple of weeks of summer left to enjoy this simple and classic salad. Watermelon is an easy choice to quench your thirst during the hot summer months, but it has many other surprising benefits. Studies have shown it may lower inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as improve digestion, relieve muscle soreness, and prevent macular degeneration with its rich anti-inflammatory antioxidant content, including lycopene and vitamin C. Refreshing Cucumber Watermelon Salad Prep: 15 minutes Ready In: 25 minutes Ingredients 1 small red onion, halved and sliced into thin half-moons 2 tablespoons lime juice, or more to taste 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 seedless watermelon, cut into cubes 3 baby cucumbers, seeded and cut into cubes 1 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/2 cup mint leaves, sliced thinly Directions Mix red onion with lime juice in a bowl; set side to marinate at least 10 minutes. Stir olive oil into mixture. Toss watermelon, baby cucumbers, and feta cheese together in a large bowl. Pour the red onion mixture over the watermelon mixture; toss to coat. Sprinkle mint over the salad; toss.

Whether you are a vegetarian or simply want to try swapping out a meat-centered meal for a healthier alternative, this recipe is an easy weeknight dinner solution. When it comes to inexpensive plant protein that’s rich in fiber and antioxidants, one needs to look no further than beans. Try wrapping these seasoned black beans in a whole-wheat flour tortilla with a little cheese, yogurt and lots fresh garnished. The tasty bean mixture can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated to make subsequent meals. Ingredients 2 tsp canola oil 1 cup onion (chopped) 2 tbsp Jalapeno pepper, minced 1 tbsp ground cumin 1 tsp Ancho chile powder or regular chile powder 15 oz. no-salt-added (or low sodium) black beans (drain & rinse thoroughly) ¾ cup prepared salsa 1 tbsp lime juice 4 large whole-wheat flour tortillas (or gluten free tortillas) ½ cup shredded reduced-fat Pepper Jack cheese ½ cup shredded romaine lettuce 1 large avocado (peeled and coarsely mashed) 4 tbsp cilantro leaves (torn) 4 tbsp Greek nonfat plain yogurt Directions Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring often, until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add jalapeno, garlic, cumin and chile powder; …

Tired of the same humdrum weeknight dinners? We’ve adapted a recipe from Tufts University that is sure to spice things up a bit. This healthy entrée is full of flavor and easy to prepare. Try it out tonight! Preparation: 10 minutes • Cooking: 30 minutes • Yield: 4 servings INGREDIENTS 4 ribs celery 4 carrots 2 leeks 8 cloves garlic 16 oz chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breast 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar Tbsp red curry paste 2 Tbsp ground turmeric 2 Ground black pepper to taste 8 shiitake or brown mushrooms STEPS 1. Wash the celery and carrots and cut into slices. Trim the leek. (Use only the white and pale green portions.) Wash the leek thoroughly and cut into slices. Slice the garlic. Cut the chicken into ½-inch strips. 2. Put a large pot on the stove. Add the olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots, leek and garlic. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes. 3. Mix 1 Tbsp red curry paste with a little water. Add to the vegetables. Taste and add more curry paste, if desired. Add the chicken strips and the turmeric. Season with black pepper, to taste. 4. Add enough water …

We adapted a Cooking Light cranberry recipe that features half the sugar of classic cranberry sauce. Thanks to a trio of warm spices, this recipe takes cranberry sauce out of candy-sweet territory and into the world of robust holiday condiments. While it’s perfect on roast turkey, don’t discount this sauce’s zesty punch for pork or chicken. Apples counter the tartness of the cranberries and help the sauce thicken. The rustic chunky look of the two fruits is what makes the sauce beautiful and enticing. Spiced Apple-Cranberry Sauce Active Time: 8 minutes Total Time: 26 minutes Servings: 8 (serving size: about ¼ cup) Ingredients 1 (12-oz.) pkg. fresh cranberries, divided ½ cup light brown sugar 2 ½ Tbsp apple cider ½ tsp ground cinnamon ¼ tsp ground cloves ¼ tsp nutmeg 1 cup chopped apple 1 ½ Tbsp apple cider vinegar ½ tsp kosher salt ½ tsp black pepper Directions Reserve ½ cup cranberries. Place the remaining cranberries and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium-low. Add apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg to cranberries and sugar in pan. Cook 8 to 10 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Stir in apple and vinegar. Cook 8 minutes. Stir in reserved cranberries, salt, …

Yield: 3 cups total; 4 (3/4-cup) servings Thanks to our friends at Tufts University, here’s a side dish recipe to liven up your dinner tonight. This colorful whole-grain pilaf is an excellent accompaniment to fish and chicken. If you have any pilaf leftover, toss in cherry tomatoes, scallions and whatever salad fixings you have on hand, moisten with lemon juice and olive oil, and you have a delicious quinoa salad. Ingredients 2 tsp olive or vegetable oil 1 chopped small onion 2/3 cup shredded carrot; 2/3 cup rinsed and drained quinoa 1 1/3 cups reduced-sodium chicken (or vegetable) broth 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or dill) 2 tsp grated fresh lemon zest 1/4 tsp salt and pepper to taste Directions 1. Heat 2 tsp olive or vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. 2. Add 1 chopped small onion and 2/3 cup shredded carrot; cook, stirring often, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. 3. Add 2/3 cup rinsed and drained quinoa; cook, stirring, until aromatic, 1 to 2 minutes. 4. Add 1 1/3 cups reduced-sodium chicken (or vegetable) broth; bring to a simmer. 5. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until quinoa is tender and most of …