Sunday Strategist: A Week of Healthy Dinners - December 4-8 

A generous spice rub and a good sear gave this roast the crust and smoke of great barbecue with the hands-off ease of the slow cooker. The sauce alone—thick, smoky, sweet, and tangy—is reason enough to make this dish year-round.

Curcumin, the bright yellow polyphenol compound found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Preliminary research suggests curcumin may promote weight loss, lower risk of heart disease, and improve blood sugar control. Use a red bell pepper for 8 times more beta-carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C than green.

A trio of bold, nutty cheeses and a velvety butternut squash puree helped create our cheesiest mac and cheese. The squash trick lets us cut back on cheese overall for an impressive makeover, shaving 500 calories and 30g sat fat.

Aim to eat salmon (or other fatty fish) twice a week to maximize your heart-protective and brain-boosting benefits. Salmon is particularly rich in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which can slow plaque buildup in your arteries.

We hacked this Mexican favorite to get it to the table with lightning speed. One richly spiced sauce doubles as the filling and the topper to save time. And since every element is already cooked, the dish needs just three minutes under the broiler to melt the cheese.

When it comes to soothing cold and flu-like aches and pains, a warm Hot Toddy spiked with ‘the good stuff’ can definitely do the trick on a cold night. Buckwheat honey also lends the benefits of antioxidant-rich honey as well as a dark, molasses-like sweetness.