After a week full of indulging, it’s time to reset. Resetting at EffortlesslyChuck doesn’t mean going on a full detox but returning to our regular weekly eating habits and asking ourselves “What are we in the mood for”? This week I am craving flavorful dishes that are dense in nutrients. With this in mind, I came up with a meal plan that strikes the right balance between being healthy and comforting. I recently noticed how I prefer my lunches to be heartier than my dinners, so I curated the recipes accordingly but feel free to swap them as you prefer.
LUNCHES
Option A : Weeknight Fancy Chicken and Rice
This one pot dish from The New York Times Cooking is a total showstopper in terms of flavor and color. I serve this with steamed broccoli to amp up the nutritional content of my lunch – https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1018299-weeknight-fancy-chicken-and-rice
Option B : Slow Cooker Lentil Soup With Sausage and Greens
This soup from The New York Times Cooking has almost a stew texture and is so satisfying. You can also make this in a Dutch oven on your stove top. In this version I used chicken sausage to make it a bit healthier – https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019697-slow-cooker-lentil-soup-with-sausage-and-greens
DINNERS
Option A – Pre Dinner : Slow Cooker Bone Broth
My friend Justin from Minneapolis brought this recipe to my attention and I am so excited to try it. I will be having a cup of this broth before dinner every night. I made it using the leftover turkey carcass from Thanksgiving – https://www.platingsandpairings.com/slow-cooker-bone-broth/
Option B : Vegetarian Chili Verde
This chili from Giada de Laurentiis has lovely texture and a nice spicy kick to it. You can elevate it by topping it with avocado, queso and cilantro – https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/vegetarian-chili-verde-recipe-2095720
Option C : Arugula Minestrone
I love this simple minestrone from Montreal Chef and Business Owner Stefano Faita. Arugula adds a nice peppery touch to this soup while the arborio rice make the broth a bit richer – unfortunately this recipe is not available online. I will work on translating this recipe soon!
ON THE BAKING RACK
I never get tired of baking muffins! They are the perfect breakfast item paired with fruit and yogurt. Plus they can always be made healthier by dialing back on the sugar and fat. This recipe from Giada de Laurentiis also incorporates almond meal, a nice protein boost in lieu of flour. Orange Scented Almond Muffins – https://effortlesslychuck.com/2019/12/02/orange-almond-and-olive-oil-muffins/
IF YOU LIKE THIS MEAL PLAN YOU MIGHT ALSO CONSIDER
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