Don’t get me flawed, I like candy treats as a lot as the subsequent lady (if no more). However there’s one thing about this time of 12 months that makes my physique crave a reset. Even with the beginning of January lengthy up to now, now’s the right time to double down on your intentions. And personally, in my quest to prioritize wholesome meals, having a couple of go-to, nourishing recipes in my again pocket all the time brings me nearer to my targets. Discovering a stability between indulgent and healthful selections is certainly potential, and these wholesome dinner recipes for 2 will lead you there.
Though it’s a couple of months again now, I can nonetheless say with certainty: the vacation season is my favourite time of 12 months. Family and friends gathering to have fun and the kitchen is rarely quick on sweets. There’s nothing like having fun with your morning espresso with a slice of chocolate chip pumpkin bread on the aspect. I’ll be the primary to confess that I’m normally considering extra about Christmas cookies, vacation cocktails, and carb-loaded breakfasts than nutrient-rich meals because the climate will get colder. However by the point the stockings are put away and we’ve rung within the new 12 months, I can inform my physique wants a break.
Featured picture by Belathée Images.
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14 Wholesome Dinner Recipes for Two
And that’s true of proper now as effectively. I fell prey to the mid-January stoop, falling again on my resolutions and into much less intentional meals (i.e., an entire lot of takeout and far much less cooking at house). For sure, I’ve put inspiration on the again burner, however now, I’m craving all the brand new dishes and colourful recipes. And since my companion and I are tasked with the ever-challenging job of cooking for a pair, I’m grateful that these recipes are tailored for 2. Scroll by way of these aware creations that’ll prevent from the leftover pile-up.
Candy Potato and Chickpea Bowl with Feta Yogurt
Why We Love It: This shiny bowl is filled with so many flavors and diverse textures. However right here’s the factor: it’s approach simpler than it seems to be. Chickpeas and candy potatoes get roasted with a trio of warming, savory spices (cumin, coriander, and paprika), and a mixture of honey and maple syrup provides only a contact of sweetness. Serve all of it atop a lemon-kissed mix of feta and plain yogurt, and you’ve got the best, stand-out meal.
Hero Ingredient: When have candy potatoes ever not been the hero ingredient? Nicely, I’ll make an exception right here—the harissa provides the right punch of warmth.
Vegan Flatbread with Roasted Carrot and Crimson Pepper Hummus
Why We Love It: Once I consider flatbread, my thoughts instantly goes to pizza and dials issues again a couple of notches to its lighter, flavor-packed cousin. You continue to get the smooth, slight crunch of the dough however the toppings are much more refreshing and flavor-packed. This take isn’t any exception. Retailer-bought naan will get piled excessive with a shiny, spice-infused hummus and all of the veggies your coronary heart needs. I’ll name it salad, with the quantity turned up.
Hero Ingredient: I’ll be doubling up on the hummus—it’s precisely what I need when the three o’clock hangries strike.
Inexperienced Goddess Pasta Salad
Why We Love It: It’s all the time a celebration when a recipe checks all three bins of straightforward, wholesome, and scrumptious. And this riff on the viral salad does precisely that. No frills however nonetheless elegant, this easy pasta salad is completely vegan and packs a shocking quantity of veggies. (OK, maybe not too shocking given its vibrant inexperienced hue.) With little effort, you get a scrumptious weeknight dinner refined sufficient for a fête.
Hero Ingredient: Dietary yeast is a vegan’s favourite secret. It provides scrumptious, tacky taste minus—in fact—the cheese.
Kitchari
Why We Love It: While you want a easy comforting dish, stat kitchari is the recipe to make. A mix of break up mung beans and basmati rice makes the bottom cozy past perception and the combo of spices will heat you during. It’s our Meals Editor’s go-to consolation meal—and a favourite in Ayurveda for its detoxifying capabilities.
Hero Ingredient: Ghee offers your kitchari a contact of richness. Professional tip: Add extra on high to sweeten the deal.
Farinata with Caramelized Onions and Pesto
Why We Love It: This elegant and straightforward farinata will transport you instantly to hotter days and candy spring picnics. As a result of it may be served at room temperature, it’s the right dish for when your schedule requires a make-ahead meal. And since chickpea flour serves as the bottom to your farinata, this tasty fundamental is of course gluten-free.
BLT Salad with 8-Minute Eggs and Avocado
Why We Love It: A salad with toasty bread, eggs, avocado, and bacon… what’s not to like? This straightforward weeknight dinner comes collectively in lower than half-hour (win!). Plus, it brings a wholesome combo of protein, fat, and greens to the desk—all whereas being as comforting as a conventional BLT sandwich. It’s a good way to include greens into your dinner and deplete that stale bread that’s been sitting in your counter or the almost-too-old lettuce that’s been obvious at you from the fridge. I’m all about it.
Hero Ingredient: The 8-minute egg is the unsung hero of this BLT (BLET?) salad. It’s proper on the road between medium-boiled and hard-boiled in order that the yolk is ready however doesn’t make your tooth stick collectively. It’s scrumptious and filling and picks up the flavors of the salad. That’s all.
Pappardelle With Shiitakes, Kale, & Jammy Leeks
Why We Love It: When you’re a mushroom lover like me, this pasta is certainly for you. Not solely is it elevated by earthy shiitakes, however the barely candy, buttery leeks that cling to the pappardelle give this dish an abundance of taste with out making it too heavy. A hearty dose of kale additionally brightens up the dish and offers it a refreshing texture. A touch of grated parm and a squeeze of contemporary lemon juice end this pasta to create the right chew.
Hero Ingredient: The jammy leeks actually ship this dish over the sting. By slicing them thinly and cooking them low and gradual on the range, they meld collectively to create a “jammy” consistency that sticks proper to the pasta. Coupled with the mushrooms, these leeks make for a really flavorful pasta dish.
Sluggish Roasted Cod With Broccolini, Winter Squash, and Mint
Why We Love It: With a sublime really feel and straightforward preparation, this recipe is the definition of working smarter, not more durable. Delicate, flakey cod comes collectively over seasonal broccolini and winter squash to make for a wholesome and filling dish. Lemon, garlic, and mint pack a flavorful punch to take this recipe from fish-and-vegetables to a restaurant-quality dinner. High it off with a couple of mint leaves and a drizzle of olive oil for a light-weight but satisfying meal.
Hero Ingredient: Broccolini and winter squash take heart stage right here as seasonal vegetable stars. The lemony, garlicky taste of those roasted veggies makes them the right sidekick for the fish they accompany.
5-Minute Salmon With Curried Cauliflower & Greens
Why We Love It: Soften-in-your-mouth salmon in 5 minutes. Do we actually have to say extra? The crispy, caramelized tops of those salmon fillets are brushed with honey and sriracha to create an indulgent fundamental component to a wholesome dinner. Roasted cauliflower, crispy chickpeas, and peppery arugula line the perimeters of the fish to make a meal filled with wholesome fats, protein, greens, and fiber. What extra might we actually ask of a dinner.
Hero Ingredient: Honey-sriracha salmon, fingers down. Not solely is it an awesome supply of protein and wholesome fats, however it additionally tastes wonderful.
Roasted Butternut Squash Stuffed With Goat Cheese, Figs, and Pesto
Why We Love It: To start with, butternut squash by no means will get previous—particularly not within the winter. And secondly, this recipe requires roasting the squash with the pores and skin on (yay!). Simple, flavorful, and filling, this vegetarian dish is each comforting and wholesome. Goat cheese and pesto carry the tang whereas tender figs lend an sudden sweetness that actually ties the flavors collectively. Lovely sufficient for a cocktail party however straightforward sufficient for dinner for 2, this recipe is an actual winner.
Hero Ingredient: Are figs ever a foul concept? Candy, texture-y, and barely berry-flavored, the fruit takes this squash to the subsequent stage by incorporating a scrumptious dose of sweetness that I’m ready to welcome with open arms.
Sheet Pan Veggie Bowl With Yogurt and Herb Dressing
Why We Love It: There’s nothing higher than a extremely good dinner that solely takes half-hour to throw collectively. And bonus factors for when it’s wholesome! Filled with roasted greens and tied along with a creamy yogurt and herb dressing, this bowl checks all of the bins for taste whereas filling your veggie quota.
Hero Ingredient: Yogurt and herb dressing is what turns a sheet pan filled with roasted greens into this polished meal. Vibrant, zesty, and clean, don’t hesitate in drizzling a lot of the yogurt-y goodness over these veggies and revel in your decadent bowl.
Banh Mí Bowl
Why We Love It: Don’t write this one off in the event you’re a tofu hater. Sure, I’ll admit that tofu may be lifeless. It’s typically bland, oftentimes boring, and may be weirdly spongy. However whenever you sauté it in lemongrass and soy sauce, the golden-brown protein actually transforms and delivers a lot of taste and texture. That paired with shiitake mushrooms, pickled greens, and rice (or greens) makes for a easy, gentle dinner that can positively fulfill your Banh Mí craving.
Hero Ingredient: Fast-pickled veggies carry a tangy chew and crisp texture to this bowl to distinction its yummy umami-ness. You need to use no matter veggies you like, simply make sure to make extras to snack on whilst you piece this bowl collectively.
Spring Salmon & Veggie Grain Bowl
Why We Love It: The mix of wholesome fat and grains on this bowl makes for a hearty meal that’s filling with out being too heavy. Salmon, avocado, and quinoa combined with shiny greens strike a formidable stability between hearty and wholesome that can preserve you full with out feeling saturated. Plus, the dressing is stuffed with anti-inflammatory components like ginger, turmeric, and honey to maintain your physique completely satisfied.
Hero Ingredient: Don’t skimp on the turmeric-citrus French dressing… the gingery dressing takes this bowl to a different stage and can be utilized as a dip for uncooked veggies or on different salads. Yum.
Wholesome Mexican Bowl
Why We Love It: Though we love melty cheese, flour tortillas, and outsized margaritas, this Mexican bowl is lighter and more healthy than what you’ll discover at your neighborhood Tex Mex restaurant. With cabbage, cauliflower, and black beans, sprucing off this bowl received’t go away you feeling heavy. Vegetable-forward, contemporary, and wholesome, this recipe is grounds for a fiesta.
Hero Ingredient: Limey dressing with agave tops off this bowl and provides zingy taste to the greens. Don’t skimp on this yummy sauce or the pickled onions.