Following a healthy diet is a challenge for most people as eating grilled chicken, boiled veggies and bland salads all the time can quickly become some sort of a chore. However, healthy eating doesn’t have to be that “uninspiring”, especially when you want something hearty for your laid-back weekends. So if you have run out of ideas (beyond the ordinary) of healthy meals to try out this weekend, here are some below. The following can be prepared for either lunch or dinner so if you have any leftovers, you can simply eat them later at night or simply refrigerate for the next day.
Meal 1
Cheesy Broccoli, Ham & Chicken bake. This hearty recipe is perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner and if you have a family with kids, they are going to love it too. All you have to do is combine 2 cups of lightly boiled broccoli florets, 1 cup of leftover chicken pieces (no skin), ½ cup ham or bacon bits, ⅔ cups shredded cheddar, 3 beaten eggs, and salt and pepper to taste. Note: leave the cheese aside and sprinkle on the top. Pop in a medium casserole dish (approx. 13-15 in. X 13-15 in.) in a preheated oven at 35F/180 C and bake for approx. 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and has a golden brown crust on top.
Meal 2
Mango shrimp fajitas. Fajitas are a culinary favorite and not only for Mexicans. But instead of the ordinary chicken or beef ones that we have all eaten a hundred times, try this twist with shrimps and mango instead. If you love fruity and tangy flavors in savory dishes, this will become your new favorite. To do this, take ½ lb of peeled and deveined shrimp, 3 bell peppers sliced, 1 big red onion sliced, and 1 tbsp of fajita seasoning (or a mix of cayenne, garlic powder, and cumin) and saute in a bit of sesame or olive oil until shrimps change color and peppers and onion become softer, without losing all their crisp. Add ½ cup of Mexican salsa to the previous ingredients and cook for another couple of minutes (careful not to cook too much as the shrimps will get hard and rubbery). Finish off with ½ cup of fresh mango chunks and serve over tortilla bread with guacamole and optionally sour cream.
Meal 3
Aromatic roasted squash, sausage, and apples. This recipe will definitely remind you of Autumn colors and flavors but you can enjoy this pretty much any season as it is delicate in flavor yet hearty enough to be eaten its own. Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dinner: 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into small chunks, 3 small green apples, peeled and cut into pieces, 3 chicken sausages sliced, 1 tbsp of pumpkin spice mix, 3 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tbsp of honey mixed with 2 tbsp of mustard, and salt/pepper to taste. First, combine the squash with apples and the seasoning and honey/mustard and mix well. Then. add in the chicken sausage slices, making sure they are combined with the rest of ingredients but still sticking out from the top. Bake at preheated oven at 350F/180C for 25-30 minutes.
The above recipes are generally easy to follow and adjust if you don’t like a particular ingredient and wish to swap it with something else. Feel free to get your family involved so you can all have fun while preparing the meals. Also, if there are any leftovers left, you can refrigerate these for up to 7 days and eat later throughout the week. These also go perfectly with any healthy or calorie-free drink like water, tea, or homemade wholesome juice.