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A Week of Healthy Meals: April 16-20

April 11, 2018
Photo: Greg Dupree
Each week, we’re bringing you 5 weeknight recipes you can make in 45 minutes or less. To make it even easier, we’re helping you meal prep! Sign up for our newsletter, ThePrep, and get the recipes, plus tips, advice, and more, every Sunday, right in your inbox.
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Monday: Spinach Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Spinach Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

Pesto is a great big-batch sauce for using up a mix of herbs and greens, but it tends to go army-green if made ahead. We quickly blanch spinach and basil to preserve the color without diluting flavor, then bump up the green with fresh parsley. A simple shrimp and asparagus pasta toss lets the pesto shine; you could also use chicken breast, broccoli florets, or haricots verts.

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Tuesday: Chimichurri Chicken Thighs with Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chimichurri Chicken Thighs with Potatoes

An herb-packed chimichurri sauce makes this meat-and-potatoes main vibrant and exciting. Double the mixture and spoon it over grilled steak or fish on another night. For less heat in both the chimichurri and the potatoes, remove the seeds from the Fresno chile.

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Wednesday: Fresh Pea, Prosciutto, and Herb Salad

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Fresh Pea, Prosciutto, and Herb Salad

Build the salad on large slices of ripe tomato for a main that looks and feels more substantial. Serve with Lentil Tapenade Crostini.

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Thursday: Vegetable Soup au Pistou

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Vegetable Soup au Pistou

A traditional French pistou is a nut-free pesto, but the spinach pesto (or any refrigerated brand) is delicious here. To save time, look for pre-chopped onion, celery, and carrot in the produce section. You could also use any vegetables or herbs you have on hand for this springtime recipe. 

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Friday: Dijon-Herb Crusted Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Dijon-Herb Crusted Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

Simple and kid-friendly, this main is an easy way to work more fish into your diet. Look for thicker center-cut fillets, which will stay more moist. Serve with Herb-Roasted Carrots.

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Happy Hour: Strawberry-Lime Rickey

Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Strawberry-Lime Rickey

If fresh strawberries aren't quite at their peak in your market, go ahead and substitute thawed frozen berries. Muddling thoroughly is essential here: The more the berries break down, the more color and flavor they'll release into the drink. If you're not a gin fan, vodka or bourbon will work, but we like the subtle fragrance of juniper and other aromatics that gin introduces to the mix. Rickeys are often served alcohol free, and are every bit as refreshing, so omit the gin entirely, if you like.

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