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Sunday Strategist: A Week of Healthy Dinners - September 18 - 22

Updated August 16, 2017
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: Family-Style Meatball "Fondue"

Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Family-Style Meatball "Fondue"

We're using the term "fondue" loosely; the idea is that everyone scoops into a skillet of cheesy meatballs with hearty bread slices. The meatballs are more tender than traditional versions because they don't include breadcrumbs; we like the softer texture for this type of dish, where you want them to give way easily on the bread.

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Tuesday: White Cheddar and Bacon Risotto

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: White Cheddar and Bacon Risotto

With a flavor reminiscent of loaded potatoes, kids are bound to love this risotto. Frozen peas cook in just two minutes and add a sweet, fresh pop to the dish.

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Wednesday: Creamy Hummus with Spiced Ground Beef

Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Creamy Hummus with Spiced Ground Beef

Typically, this style of supersmooth hummus starts with dried chickpeas; we discovered a shortcut with canned chickpeas where a little baking soda softens or dissolves the peas' skins. Be sure to use a blender; a food processor will not get the hummus this smooth. Serve with soft whole-wheat pita and crudités.

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Thursday: Fast Pan-Fried Salmon

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Fast Pan-Fried Salmon

Cutting fish into escalopes (thin slices)—as the famous Troisgros restaurant family in France does—facilitates fast cooking and delicate searing. Serve with sautéed veggies such as Soy-Glazed Vegetables. Use white pepper on the fish for an earthy flavor with less heat. Black pepper adds specks of color and a hotter taste.

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Friday: Sheet Pan Beefy Nachos

Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Sheet Pan Beefy Nachos

If you have young kids serving themselves, lift the nachos off the pan with the parchment paper (and remove the hot pan from the table). For the creamiest nacho sauce, start with a block of cheese and shred it yourself.

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