Last Updated on 14th April 2022 by
Sometimes it can be difficult to prepare a quick and tasty meal that is also healthy. However, cooking with healthy ingredients doesn’t have to just mean eating raw vegetables! More often than not you can find a healthy substitute for a favourite dish or comfort food. Check out the list below for some ideas and inspiration to incorporate healthy eating into your nightly routines.
Turkey Meatballs And Zucchini Noodles
Maybe everyone else is having the classic spaghetti and you’re trying to cut back on the pasta carbs. Feel free to eat with everyone else, just with this healthy alternative.
First, turkey is a much leaner meat than beef but has the same amount of flavour. Just like regular meatballs, combine the ground turkey with Parmesan cheese, egg yolks, oregano, basil, parsley and garlic powder. Add red pepper flakes if you’re feeling adventurous, or just salt and pepper for a more mild taste. Form the mixture into about one-inch or two-inch balls then cook those until browned and cooked through.
While the meatballs are in the oven, make the zucchini noodles. Just cut the zucchini with a spiral slicer then salt it for taste. After letting it sit for a bit, cook the zucchini in boiling water for about a minute then drain it. Once the meatballs are finished, top them over the zucchini noodles and enjoy a healthier version of a favorite dish.
Fried Rice With Broccoli And Eggs
This meal combines take-out simplicity with restaurant-quality flavor. While rice is high in carbs, the vegetables included provide a well-balanced meal.
First, cook and scramble an egg on the stove. Once cooked, move the scrambled egg to another dish or just to the side of the pan. Then cook garlic and ginger until fragrant. Depending on how crisp you like your broccoli, add it either before or after the already cooked and chilled rice. Combine all ingredients, including the eggs, and any other mixed vegetables like carrots or green onions. Once everything is mixed, sauté it with broth for a minute then soy sauce on a lower heat.
Combine everything again and cook on high for a minute, then serve and enjoy immediately.
Cauliflower Crust Pizza
Another healthier imitation of a guilty pleasure, this cauliflower crust pizza can please any age.
To make the crust, first break the head of cauliflower into florets then pulse them in a food processor until fine. Soften it in either a microwave or steamer for just a few minutes. It is important to remove any excess moisture next, and a kitchen towel would work fine.
Once the cauliflower is cooled, combine it with both Parmesan and mozzarella cheese, egg and Italian seasonings. At this point it should resemble dough. Transfer the mixture to a baking sheet and press down, then bake for between ten and fifteen minutes until golden.
Once the crust is cooked, add sauces, cheese and any toppings like usual. This cauliflower crust is just the foundation for a healthier pizza, after all. After adding the toppings, cook the pizza for another ten minutes then enjoy!
Shrimp Tacos With Avocado Salsa
This third recipe adds an exotic, refreshing taste to anyone’s “Taco Tuesday.” It both looks and tastes lighter than more traditional tacos using beef or pork, and the variety of colours from both the fillings and the salsa will encourage anyone to come back for seconds.
First make the salsa so that it can be chilling while you make the shrimp. The two main ingredients in this salsa are the avocado and lime juice. A diced tomato is an optional ingredient, and consider including a diced and seeded jalapeno pepper if you can take the heat. Mix the larger ingredients together then add herbs like garlic and cilantro.
For the shrimp, either grill them on skewers or cook them on the stovetop with a skillet. Just be sure to grill or cook the shrimp with a marinade of olive oil, lime juice and your desired spices. Once cooked, simply assemble the taco! Shredded cabbage, guacamole and cheese are perfect fillings for this seafood dish. Next, top the tacos with the chilled salsa. Add sour cream mixed with lime juice too for an extra citrusy test.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Have your entire meal in one convenient vegetable! All you need is hallowed or halved peppers to start. The possibilities of fillings are truly endless, making it easy to have a variety for guests or personal taste testing.
Taco or hamburger fillings are likely the most common because they substitute the bread of a bun or tortilla without sacrificing any taste. First remove the stems, seeds and membranes of the peppers, then set them upright to fill.
To prepare the filling, cook the meat, usually ground beef, with onions and any other desired diced veggies with garlic. After draining the beef mixture, add wild rice to truly make this dish a lasting meal. Once the mixture is complete, fill the peppers then top with shredded cheese. Cover with foil and cook until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
You can also substitute other vegetables in place of the bell peppers. Try using a squash, zucchini, tomato or eggplant and alter fillings and cooking times as necessary.
One-Pan Salmon
The superfood of seafood, salmon has several benefits for both the body and mind. When cooked with vegetables, this meal provides enough nutrients for one’s family and oneself.
First, lay the salmon fillet in the middle of the sheet pan. Reserve the sides of the salmon for your vegetables. Great combinations are carrots and green beans or squash and Brussel sprouts. Coat the fillet with a sweet and savoury glaze, preferably one made with honey and garlic. Then mix the evenly chopped vegetables with the same sauce and divide them around the fillet.
Bake in the oven for about thirty minutes or in the broiler for less time, just until the salmon is crisp and the veggies are tender.
I'm Pauline, a mother of four grown children, my passion for cooking stemmed from the joy i get cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes, especially when dining out but creating and sharing my own recipes is my favourite thing to do!
