I’ve got a nourishing line-up this week with a few favorites that are just right for Valentine’s Day and a Super Green Smoothie (a perfect bounce-back following Super Bowl snacking). Also, seeing how icy cold it is in some parts of the country, I highly recommend you try Aush, an Afghan soup that is a personal favorite.
Harvest Bowls with Glossy Green sauce
These nourishing bowls are popular in my house. Roasted sweet potatoes, brown rice, black beans, and avocado get dressed up with a tangy, slightly spicy cilantro sauce. Add pickled jalapeños, Cotija cheese, toasted pepitas or whatever else strikes your fancy.
Pasta with Creamy Beet Sauce, Walnuts, and Parmesan
This shockingly pink pasta is thanks to a combination of tender beets and ricotta blended into a creamy sauce. You honestly don’t have to be madly in love with beets to love this pasta. The method is simple and the results, super tasty. Tip: get it on the table as soon and you toss the sauce with the pasta and dig in. For something a bit more traditional, check out this Cheese Souffle for Two
Turkey Chickpea Smash Burgers
This nutritious dish takes the turkey burger to the next level. The burgers are packed with flavor thanks to dill, scallions, cumin, garlic, and coriander. Chickpeas and fresh spinach get blended in to add an extra boost of goodness. Once assembled, a generous swipe of Greek yogurt, crisp salad, and fresh mint mix pulls it all together
Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Sauce
The star of this recipe is the Chipotle Lime Sauce that gets spooned over cooked shrimp under a heap of crunchy slaw. Feel free to toss the shrimp on the grill and warm up homemade or canned pinto or black beans to serve on the side.
Aush (Delicious Afghan Noodle Soup)
I got a comment on this recipe that said, “This is so so good! The flavors are outstanding!” I couldn’t agree more. It’s made with a deeply spiced ground lamb (you can sub in beef, chicken, or turkey) that infuses a simple broth with paprika, coriander, and garlic. It’s just right for cold weather cooking.
Ginger Date Dark Chocolate Truffles
These are decadent-tasting treats with not-so-decadent ingredients. The truffles are made with nutrient-packed walnuts, naturally sweet Medjool dates, and antioxidant-rich dark chocolate. They will satisfy even the fiercest sweet tooth and are so chocolatey, one little truffle is all it takes. To enjoy these as energy balls instead of truffles, skip the chocolate dunk and simply roll the balls in cocoa powder.
A Super Green Smoothie
Rev up your morning from the inside out with this energizing smoothie. Rich in natural protein, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, it’s a delicious way to kick off the day.
SHOPPING LIST
Harvest Bowls with Glossy Green Sauce
2 medium to large sweet potatoes
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (one 15-ounce can)
1 large ripe avocado
1 bushy bunch cilantro (2 cups chopped)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon red chile flakes
Optional additions: pickled jalapeños, crumbled Cotija, roasted pepitas
Aush (Afghan Noodle Soup)
1 small yellow onion
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1 pound ground lamb or beef
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons tomato paste
7 ounces uncooked spaghetti (doesn’t need to be exact)
10 cups chicken broth (low-sodium if store-bought)
One 15-ounce can kidney beans
One 15-ounce can chickpeas
1 large bunch swiss chard or kale or a few big handfuls baby spinach
1 pint plain Greek yogurt
Shrimp Tacos w/ Chipotle Lime Sauce
1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 chipotle pepper en adobo
1 pound raw medium peeled and deveined shrimp
2 limes
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 medium green cabbage
2 medium carrots
3/4 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
8 corn tortillas plus 1 ripe avocado
Pasta with Creamy Beet Sauce
8 ounces beets
12-ounces spaghetti
3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
2 tablespoons fresh mint (optional)
Turkey Chickpea Smash Burgers
One 15-ounce can chickpeas
¾ cup crumbled feta (3 1/2 ounces)
1 generous handful fresh spinach
½ cup roughly chopped fresh dill
4 scallions
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 pound ground turkey or other ground poultry/meat
6 whole-wheat pitas
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups shredded hearts of Romaine lettuce
1 cup diced English or Persian cucumber
2 medium tomatoes
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Ginger Date Dark Chocolate Truffles
6 medjool dates, pits removed
3/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup roughly chopped crystalized ginger
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Sprouts brand organic cocoa powder)
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
Flaky salt to garnish (such as Maldon)
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 peeled, grated fresh ginger
1 small orange, peeled and segmented
1/2 cup coarsely grated carrot
1 cup roughly chopped baby spinach
1/2 cup ice (optional)
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