Sunday Strategist: A Week of Healthy Dinners — April 3-7

Move over, pesto: You're not the only sauce worth going green for. Pureed avocado makes this dish positively irresistible. Garnish with extra basil leaves, if desired. Mondays may be meatless, but you'll never, ever miss it with this delicious dish. Serve with a side of steamed veggies.

It might be getting warmer outside, but cold weather greens like kale are still prolific in many grocery stores. Here, take advantage of the end-of-season salad options with a bright dressing, flaky salmon, and hearty beets. White balsamic vinegar is slightly sweet; cider vinegar is tangier. Either will be delicious here. Canned salmon is an inexpensive, sustainable seafood option. Sub canned albacore tuna or 2 cooked salmon fillets. Serve with Herbed Goat Cheese Garlic Toasts.

You've made it to Hump Day, and you need to avoid the temptation to get take-out, right? Well, this dish has all the flavors we love from take-out but is much, much better for you. Chinese restaurants serve mu shu pork with Mandarin pancakes. On a busy weeknight, whole-wheat tortillas are an easy sub. Look for trimmed boneless pork shoulder. If all you see are large cuts, ask your butcher to cut off a 1-pound portion. Serve with Sesame-Garlic Broccolini.

Bring Friday night fun to Thursday night with these easy-as-pie pizza. Microwave-in-bag fresh vegetables help this meal come together lickety-split. A hot cast-iron skillet helps to crisp the bottom of the crust while the surface gets golden brown under the broiler—no baking required. Serve with Browned Butter Green Beans.

You've made it to the end of another week, and if you're anything like me, you really need dinner to be light, bright, and oh-so-easy. Believe me when I say these crab cakes only look complicated and fancy. These crab cakes hold together best with dry, finely ground whole-wheat breadcrumbs; if you use whole-wheat panko, they may fall apart in the pan. Chives have a delicate onion flavor that won't overpower the crab. Serve with Spring Salad with Buttermilk-Herb Dressing.

Finally, a brownie with benefits that you can feel good about eating. Our no-bake treats taste ultra decadent, yet are free of added sugar thanks to naturally sweet dates. Each vegan, gluten-free brownie also boasts 6g fiber (about 25% of your daily recommended goal) and 6g of plant-powered protein. Blend together the ingredients, mash them into the pan, and let them chill while you cook dinner. When you've cleaned your plates, these will be ready to slice and enjoy.