Sunday Strategist: A Week of Healthy Dinners - December 11-15

November 13, 2017
Credit: Jennifer Causey
Every Sunday, we publish a week of Cooking Light dinner plans filled with our favorite recipes—both from current issues and classics. Each meal is designed to be ready and on the table in 45 minutes or less so that you have more time to enjoy the food you’ve prepared and the company of those you’ve prepared it for. If you like having a healthy meal plan but want something customized to your dietary or caloric needs, check out The Cooking Light Diet. It’s a calorie-driven weekly meal plan—breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner—based on your dieting goals and food preferences. Look for one on a newsstands to find more delicious dinner inspiration.
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Monday: Lentil Cakes with Mint Yogurt

Credit: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Lentil Cakes with Mint Yogurt

Precooked lentils are a convenience item we love, saving nearly 30 minutes of simmering. Look for plain, steamed lentils (such as Melissa's), in the grain aisle. The food processor not only combines the patty ingredients; it coarsely chops the lentils so the finished cakes will hold their shape in the pan.

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Tuesday: Coriander-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Potatoes

Credit: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Coriander-Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Potatoes

Crushed whole spices create a beautiful crust on a seared and roasted pork tenderloin. You don't need a spice grinder or mortar and pestle; place the peppercorns and coriander seeds in a ziplock bag and crush gently with a small, heavy skillet until very coarsely ground. Refrigerated potatoes are parcooked, saving you oven time.

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Wednesday: Miso-Ginger Noodle Bowls

Credit: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Miso-Ginger Noodle Bowls

Think of this comforting soup as a cross between ramen and miso soup. The broth gets instant depth from the bacon drippings in the pan, as well as the miso paste and shiitake mushrooms. You’ll find white miso paste at most supermarkets, either in the refrigerated soy product section or on the international foods aisle.

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Thursday: Chicken-and-Kale Alfredo Bake

Credit: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Chicken-and-Kale Alfredo Bake

A creamy, Parmesan-laced sauce is a no-brainer for an easy, cheesy pasta bake. Skip the jar and make your own with sautéed shallot and fresh lemon, picking up all the flavor from the same pan used to cook the chicken.

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Friday: Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Credit: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Madras curry powder adds warmth and earthiness to the otherwise sweet butternut squash, apple, and maple syrup in the soup. It has a bit more heat than regular curry powder, though either can be used here. Frozen, precooked squash will save time; you can also roast 1 (1 1/2-lb.) peeled, diced butternut squash ahead and refrigerate for later in the week.

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Cocktail Bonus: Rejuvenating Rosé Spritzer

Credit: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Rejuvenating Rosé Spritzer

Stress runs high during the holidays, which could compromise digestion. Kombucha is packed with gut-friendly probiotics to help maintain healthy gut flora, in addition to compounds that fight harmful free radicals.

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