The holidays bring joy and celebration, but they also mean busy schedules with little time to prepare nutritious dinners. Instead of takeout, these five easy, healthy recipes are perfect for quick and satisfying meals that require minimal ingredients and effort. Each dish is packed with flavor and takes 30 minutes or less to make, just what you need this holiday season.
Garlic Butter Shrimp & Zucchini Noodles
- Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 2 medium zucchini (spiraled into noodles)
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 3 cloves garlic (chopped)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- Instructions:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the shrimp until pink and opaque (about 2-3 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
- In the same frying pan, melt the remaining butter and add the garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the zucchini noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft but not mushy.
- Return the shrimp to the frying pan, squeeze the lemon juice and mix everything together.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. This dish is light, refreshing, and ready in less than 20 minutes!
Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry
- Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup peas
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
- Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, ginger and garlic. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken slices, season with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove and set aside.
- Add the remaining olive oil to the frying pan and then add the peppers, broccoli and peas. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are soft and crispy.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, pour the sauce over everything and mix to coat evenly. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until done.
- Serve hot with brown rice or quinoa for a healthy, balanced dinner.
Baked lemon herb salmon with asparagus
- Ingredients:
- 2 salmon fillets
- 1 bunch of asparagus (cleaned)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 lemon (sliced)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Arrange salmon fillets and asparagus on the baking tray. Drizzle both with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and Italian herbs.
- Place the lemon slices on top of the salmon and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is opaque and flakes easily.
- Serve hot for a nutritious, omega-3-rich dinner that pairs beautifully with wild rice or a green salad.
Quinoa & Black Bean Stuffed Peppers
- Ingredients:
- 4 large peppers (tops removed and seeds removed)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (optional)
- Fresh coriander (chopped, for garnish)
- Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 190°C.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, salsa, and cumin. Mix well.
- Fill each pepper with the quinoa mixture and place them upright in an oven dish.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle cheese on top (if desired) and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh coriander before serving. This vegetarian dish is filling, rich in protein and packed with fiber.
Creamy avocado pesto spread with cherry tomatoes
- Ingredients:
- 8 oz whole wheat pasta
- 1 ripe avocado (pitted and peeled)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 clove of garlic
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- Instructions:
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package, drain and set aside.
- In a food processor, combine avocado, basil, Parmesan cheese (if using), garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Mix the pasta with the avocado pesto and the cherry tomatoes. Adjust seasonings to taste.
- Serve immediately. This creamy, dairy-free pasta is a perfect comfort food with a healthy twist.
These recipes are not only simple and quick, but they are also packed with nutrients to help you feel your best this holiday season. From protein-packed shrimp and chicken to fiber-rich quinoa and savory pasta, these dinners are designed to be both satisfying and healthy. Best of all, they require little cleanup and are ready in 30 minutes, so you can spend more time enjoying the holidays!
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