Broiled Shrimp Scampi

Posted by Joseph Erdos

For a dinner that's fast and healthy, how about a seafood dish? Using an oft-neglected cooking method, the broiler, this shrimp scampi conjures up memories of summertime grilling. But most importantly, it's done in minutes!

This preparation is much healthier than the oil-laden stove-top version because it needs only 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent the shrimp from sticking to the baking pan. Using either fresh or frozen shrimp, toss with garlic and oil; after broiling, simply add fresh parsley and a twist of lemon and you'll have a restaurant-style dish that is quite pleasing and elegant. Serve it with this traditional and complementary side of rice pilaf. Happy broiling!

What dish do you like to make under the broiler?

PREP: 20 minutes
TOTAL: 20 minutes

GET THE RECIPE:
Broiled Shrimp Scampi

Crispy Apricot Pork Chops

Posted by Kellee Miller

I just added this quick-to-prep pork chop recipe to my weeknight arsenal. I love the fact that it requires just a few ingredients -- most typically found in my kitchen. Even an on-the-spot sub (peach jam in place of the apricot) didn't alter the results. The recipe was also very easy to halve.

My chops were pretty thick so they required a bit longer in the oven than the recipes recommends (I tented them with foil toward the end so the coating wouldn’t burn). My digital probe-style thermometer -- a Christmas gift -- took the guesswork out of the doneness factor. And because my brussels sprout side was ready earlier than the chops, I was able to start some of my cooking cleanup before we sat down. (For the side, I parboiled my favorite little cabbage look-alikes and then cooked them in a hot skillet until they got that nice caramelized char I love so much on restaurant ones. I threw in minced shallots and some sherry vinegar to finish them.)

I love fruit and pork combinations -- I’ve tried the traditional apple, plus peach, tomato, and blueberry. Here, just a teaspoon of peach jam added that touch of sweetness that goes so well with juicy bone-in chops, and it complemented the crunchy, nutty bread topping. The extra crust that landed on my plate as I tore into my chop tasted just as good with my brussels sprouts, too.

PREP: 10 minutes
TOTAL: 25 minutes

GET THE RECIPE:
Crispy Apricot Pork Chops

Spinach Linguine with Ham and Broccoli

Posted by Natalie Neusch

Entering a new year doesn't mean giving up on old favorites. Sometimes even the most decadent dishes we think we have to sacrifice in the wake of eating better can fit into a healthy regimen--with a few adjustments. This lightened version of pasta alfredo uses reduced-fat ingredients but maintains the creaminess that makes it feel indulgent. Toss in ham and broccoli to make it taste even more similar to the original!

What is your healthier take on a hearty main?

PREP: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 30 minutes

GET THE RECIPE:
Spinach Linguine with Ham and Broccoli

Asian Chicken and Chili Soup

Posted by Adina Steiman

Most of us have made resolutions to eat healthier in the new year, but winter can be a challenging time to change our eating habits. The chilly weather makes us want to hunker down with a burger, not lighten up with a salad!

That's why I turn to light and steamy soups like this one. Quick-cooking vegetables simmer in a clear chicken broth (canned is fine), and a dash of Asian chili sauce adds flavor and heat to warm you up even more. It's also marvelously flexible -- you can add whatever vegetables you have in your fridge, like shredded cabbage, sliced carrots, or broccoli florets and adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.

How do you get winter comfort without the excess calories?

PREP: 25 minutes
TOTAL: 25 minutes

GET THE RECIPE:
Asian Chicken and Chili Soup

Salmon Pasta

Posted by Joseph Erdos

This sumptuous and healthy recipe for salmon and pasta can be put together in minutes. First rub the fish with a mixture of fennel seeds, fresh parsley, light-brown sugar, salt, and pepper before broiling. Then add the flaked fish to the boiled corkscrew pasta and spinach. Finish with a simple sauce of sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and a little pasta water. The result is a wonderful 30-minute midweek meal that is healthful and flavorful.

What quick meal do you like to serve your family during the week?

PREP: 20 minutes
TOTAL: 30 minutes

GET THE RECIPE:
Salmon Pasta

Steak, Watercress, and Orange Salad

Posted by Natalie Neusch

A steak dinner doesn't have to be a heavy, caloric affair. Turn it into a healthy helping by tossing thinly cut pieces of flank steak with peppery watercress and plump, juicy slices of navel orange. A sprinkling of cashews on top gives just the right amount of crunch to compliment the refreshing burst of citrus. If you can't find watercress, feel free to substitute arugula as your green instead. This light, bright entree will satisfy even the hungriest of guests.

What's your favorite main-dish salad to serve for guests or simply make for yourself?

Healthy Soups

Posted by Joseph Erdos

It's the season for soups, especially ones that are healthy for you. And what could be more healthful than a steaming hot bowl of comforting soup for those who are feeling under the weather? The following soups are low in fat and packed in protein while remaining flavorful and crave-worthy.

The ultimate in comfort soups is this chicken and rice soup. It's the kind of soup that always reminds us of mom. Freeze extra portions for the months ahead -- just thaw and reheat whenever you need to re-energize.

Pork Cutlets Parmesan

Posted by Adina Steiman

Pork tenderloin is a healthy, affordable cut of meat (and it's often on sale at the big-box stores), but simply roasting it can get a little dull. That's why these savory breaded cutlets are such a nice surprise. They're made from slices of tenderloin pounded thin, and then breaded using egg white instead of whole eggs for a lighter touch. A dash of Parmesan adds great flavor, and frying them in olive oil keeps them heart-healthy. They're one of the most popular dinners on our site, and with only 254 calories per serving (and just 13.3 grams of fat), they're one of the healthiest, too.

Serve the crispy cutlets with steamed broccoli and baked potatoes, or top them with tomato sauce and mozzarella and broil them for an Italian-style treat.

How do you like to serve your cutlets?

PREP: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 20 minutes

GET THE RECIPE:
Pork Cutlets Parmesan

Red-Pepper and Herb Ravioli

Posted by Joseph Erdos

This recipe for ravioli couldn't be any easier. Store-bought fresh or frozen pasta is boiled and dressed up in 15 minutes with warmed olive oil, crushed red-pepper flakes, chives, parsley, and lemon juice. Simple and satisfying, with little effort. And it's great for those busy days when you don't have that much time to make dinner. If you have frozen pasta at hand, you're good to go at any time. Enjoy!

What things do you like to keep at hand for dinner in a pinch?

PREP: 15 minutes
TOTAL: 15 minutes

GET THE RECIPE:
Red-Pepper and Herb Ravioli

Cinnamon Broiled Chicken with Raita

Posted by Natalie Neusch

Sometimes all it takes is the slightest creative twist to spice up even the most traditional meal. Simple broiled chicken gets a unique update in the form of a cinnamon rub in this quick Indian-inspired rendition. The cinnamon imparts a mild sweetness to the chicken as it broils and creates a delightful aroma that makes the dish even more irresistible. Pair it with a refreshing yogurt-based sauce flecked with cilantro and cumin for the best of both flavor palettes. If you'd like to round out the meal, add a bowl of rice, and treat your family to a dinner that's still wholesome yet anything but ordinary.

PREP: 10 minutes
TOTAL: 40 minutes

GET THE RECIPE:
Cinnamon Broiled Chicken with Raita

What unusual spices do you like to use with chicken?