125 Ways to Make a Meal

September 04, 2016
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
How this is the math we can get down with: 5 versatile proteins + 5 go-with-anything sauces + 5 hardworking sides = a new arsenal of 125 different fast and easy dinners.
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Make a Meal

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey

With a handful of favorite recipes, any cook can keep their family fed and happy. But this collection of recipes is unique. We've put together 5 versatile proteins, 5 go-with-anything sauces, and 5 hardworking sides. Mix and match each of these recipes (we designed them all to work together), and you have four months of fast, easy dinners. That's 125 recipes you can reference endlessly for a dinner plate that will never be boring. Find your family's favorites, save them, pin them, print them. Then on busy weeknights when you need something you know they'll love and enjoy, you have an almost-bottomless resource at your disposal.

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Sauce: Tarragon-Mustard Rémoulade

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Tarragon-Mustard Rémoulade

For this traditional French sauce, we cut the fat and calories by using a base of canola mayonnaise, and then we season it with shallots, parsley, mustard, capers, and tarragon.

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Protein: Grilled Flash-Marinated Skirt Steak

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Grilled Flash-Marinated Skirt Steak

Don't have a lot of time marinate? Just go with intensely flavorful ingredients (like soy sauce and vinegar); a half hour or less will take you from bland to grand.

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Side: Buttery Roasted Cauliflower

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Buttery Roasted Cauliflower

This quick 30-minute side gets its flavor from a mixture of shallots butter and fresh chives.

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Sauce: Greek Yogurt Sauce with Garlic and Mint

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Greek Yogurt Sauce with Garlic and Mint

This creamy sauce adds 4g of protein to your meal courtesy of 2% Greek yogurt. While prep only takes 5 minutes, be sure to leave time (30 minutes) for the sauce to chill.

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Protein: Broiled Salmon with Lemon

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Broiled Salmon with Lemon

For quick weeknight meals, go for the broiler. It preheats in a flash and acts like an upside-down grill, bringing salmon and veggies to perfect doneness in just 10 minutes.

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Side: Simple Blistered Broccolini

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Simple Blistered Broccolini

Broccolini has a milder flavor than broccoli and tastes delicious roasted and simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil.

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Sauce: Roasted Almond Romesco

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Roasted Almond Romesco

This red pepper-based Spanish sauce is typically eaten with fish, but the blend of roasted red bell peppers, almonds, garlic, and paprika makes a zesty addition to a variety of dishes.

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Protein: Simple Leek Frittata

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Simple Leek Frittata

When there's nothing else in the fridge, you can always count on a carton of eggs. If you don't have a leek for this frittate, go with an onion. Feel free to toss in other sautéed veggies too.

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Side: Lemony White Bean-and-Arugula Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Lemony White Bean-and-Arugula Salad

An quick side salad with cannellini beans lends healthy plant-based protein to your meal, and a simple DIY dressing keeps sodium low by using less salt than bottled versions you'll find in the grocery store.

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Sauce: Herb-and-Scallion Salsa Verde

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Herb-and-Scallion Salsa Verde

This isn’t your average salsa. No tomatillos, no lime juice, or cilantro. Instead, this gorgeous green-hued salsa gets its vibrant color from fresh parsley and basil. Those fresh herbs combined with green onions, briny capers, and tangy Dijon mustard, this salsa brings a boost of flavor to any weeknight meal. Dress up fish or chicken dishes, or use it as a dipping sauce or topping. Tip: make sure to chop herbs instead of keeping them whole. Fresh, pungent herbs are one of the easiest ways to make your dinner more interesting, and flavor without adding on an excess of calories.

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Protein: Smoky Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Smoky Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts

The pungent flavor of fresh herbs is possibly the easiest way to make your dinner more interesting. Use chopped herbs to make sauces, and add whole leaves to salads.

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Side: Pickled Onion Slaw

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Pickled Onion Slaw

A quick slaw makes a tangy side that pairs with an assortment of main dishes. Our homemade version keeps the cabbage crisp. We honey to sweeten ours.

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Sauce: Lime, Soy, and Maple Drizzle

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Lime, Soy, and Maple Drizzle

This Asian-inspired sauce is a fantastic mix of spicy and sweet with both crushed red pepper and maple syrup. But the best thing about it? It's ready in just six minutes.

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Protein: Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloin Medallions

A whole pork tenderloin can take anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes to reach doneness, depending on how you cook it. But thinly sliced medallions take only 6 minutes.

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Side: Savory Sweet Potato Mash

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Savory Sweet Potato Mash

Get your daily dose of vitamin A with this nutritious side. In addition to providing you with 400% of your daily vitamin A requirement, you'll receive a boost of vitamin C and fiber. So grab your thyme, butter, milk, salt, and pepper, and start mashing.

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