This garlic cucumber salad has been on repeat over over because it’s easy, fresh, and full of flavorful and crunchy textures. I LOVE adding cucumbers to salads and showing that salads are just more than leafy greens – it can be whatever vegetables, dressed up with super simple but bold flavors. This salad is packed with fresh vegetables, protein, and healthy fats and provides a nutritious option for a weekday dinner.
Ready to elevate your usual roasted sweet potato? You’ve GOT to try this pistachio lime vinaigrette with it – it’s truly amazing paired together. Plus, all of those healthy fats found in pistachios can help your body absorb all of the Vitamin A that’s found in sweet potatoes. A win-win situation overall!
Pizza for breakfast? Say no more. I love that this smoked salmon breakfast pizza is like the pizza version of everyone’s favorite smoked salmon / lox bagel. It’s versatile enough that you can swap in different ingredients based on everyone’s dietary needs (for example, use a gluten-free crust for someone with celiac’s or swap pita instead) and you can either make for yourself or serve for a crowd. This looks super intricate but truly, it takes less time than you think. I love smoked salmon as a quick source of protein – no extra cooking needed and it adds so much flavor to everything you are making.
Think of this as your favorite everything bagel and lox combination, but with the benefits of some leafy greens added in – best of both worlds, right? It’s balanced in the sense that you have this combination of protein, healthy fats, and leafy greens with all the delicious flavor together in one meal. I love re-purposing leftover sourdough or baguettes and turning them into these little everything bagel croutons!
Scallops are one of those proteins that feel super intimidating to make at home but the truth is, it’s one of the easiest out of all of the seafood options! All you need is a hot pan and some salt + pepper and you’re ready to make some restaurant quality seared scallops at home. Plus, they’re super lean, high in protein, and full of nutrients like vitamin B12 + phosphorus. Perfect to pair with this colorful, crunchy chopped salad!
Thomas and I eat at least Caesar salads at least once or twice a week and it’s super easy to make one that’s balanced, flavorful and completely customized on how you like it. Our favorite Caesar salad is from Bavettes, one of our favorite restaurants for date night in the Chicago. I love this version of a salmon caesar because it’s not overly complicated and it’s the perfect mix of crunchy textures.
