Weeknight Rescue//April 25, 2025

I never got last week’s meal plan out (apologies!), so I spent a little extra time this week curating an tasty line up of recipes. Case in point is the Chicken Marbella (always a win), the Brothy Clams (so easy to make), and the Chocolate Cherry Smoothie (the latest addition to my smoothie repertoire and quite delicious). Enjoy!

Collard Green Tacos with Tomatillo Salsa

I think corn tortillas are tailor made for delicious, veggie-centric tacos. The salsa is pretty easy to make, but feel free to swap in store-bought tomatillo salsa if you prefer. On the side, so up a dish of warm beans, either from a can, cooked on the stovetop, or these slow cooker pintos. 

Slow Cooker Chicken Marbella

The roots of this Chicken Marbella recipe are from the Silver Palate Cookbook, a 1980s best seller. The dish is a sweet, savory, tangy combination of chicken thighs, prunes and olives. After several hours of cooking low and slow, the chicken is fork tender and infused with fabulous flavor. Add a big handful of chopped kale to the pot an hour before it’s done for a veggie boost. And serve with any favorite grain or simple egg noodles.

Tuna Nicoise Pasta

I’ve taken the flavors of a classic Nicoise salad and turned it into a pasta that’s got your starch, protein, and veg all donein a single pan. Add a green salad (with a classic Dijon vinaigrette) and a bowl of cold cherries for dessert, and you’ve got a nourishing meal .

Brothy Clams with Chorizo and Tomatoes

This is a good one if you’re in the mood for something cozy, but don’t want a heavy meal. It’s also a lovely thing to set on the table when you’re having friends over. The crusty garlic bread in the recipe is a must for soaking up the tasty broth.

Naan Pizza with Ground Lamb and Pickled Onions

When it comes to springtime, I always think about including lamb on the menu. This isn’t a particularly traditional way to eat it, but it’s very tasty. It starts with store-bought, whole-grain naan that you top with a savory blend of onions, ground lamb, spices, and diced tomatoes. Fresh mint and quick pickled red onions make a bright finish. Feel free to make it in the oven or fire up your grill and get the job done there. If you can’t find naan, you can make these using store-bought pizza crust (Boboli, for example) or lavash.

Chocolate Cherry Smoothie

It’s hard to believe that you can whirl up a frosty chocolatey drink that is as good tasting as it is good for you. This one packs more than 30 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber with no added sugar. The cherries add natural sweetness while cacao adds rich, chocolate flavor plus it has a heap of fresh spinach. It’s a win-win-win.

Lighter Green Goddess Dressing

Make a batch of this dressing to add a splash of brightness to salads or drizzle over grilled vegetables. ALSO, if you want to see a spin on this recipe (that adds avocado to the mix), you’ll find it in my cookbook PREP.