Easy Weeknight Dinners

Easy Weeknight Dinners

 

Red Onion and Charred Cauliflower Tacos

  • 1 10- to 12-oz. package fresh cauliflower florets
  • ½ of a medium red onion, thinly sliced (1 cup)
  • ¾ cup jarred chipotle salsa, divided
  • 1 15-oz. can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
  • ¾ cup frozen roasted corn, thawed
  • 8 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • ½ cup sliced scallions
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Lime wedges
  1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a 15×10-inch baking pan with foil. Cut up any large cauliflower florets. Place cauliflower, red onion, and ¼ cup of the salsa in the prepared pan; toss to coat. Roast 15 minutes or until cauliflower is tender and charred, stirring once.
  2. Meanwhile, in a bowl combine black beans, corn, and the remaining ½ cup salsa.
  3. Spoon bean mixture onto tortillas. Top with cauliflower mixture, cabbage, green onions, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Green Bean Pasta with Cashew Pesto

  • ¼ cup raw cashews
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • 1 cup fresh basil
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • ¼ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 8 oz. dried whole wheat spaghetti
  • 8 oz. fresh thin green beans, trimmed and halved lengthwise, if desired
  • 1 15-oz. can no-salt-added cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (1½ cups)
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped pistachio nuts
  • Crushed red pepper (optional)
  1. For pesto, place cashews in a bowl. Add boiling water to cover. Let stand 30 minutes; drain. In a blender or food processor combine cashews and the next six ingredients (through lemon juice).
  2. Cook spaghetti according to package directions, adding green beans the last 2 minutes of cooking; drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking water. Return spaghetti to pan. Add pesto and cannellini beans; toss to coat. Add reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time to achieve desired texture, tossing to combine. Season with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle with pistachios and, if desired, crushed red pepper.

 

Lentil and Five Vegetable Stew 

  • 1 cup pre-cooked green lentils
  • 1 cup pre-cooked orange lentils
  • ½ cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1 cup steamed green beans, finely cut
  • ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley

Dressing:

  • 1 Tablespoon mild, prepared mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Dash of lemon juice
  • ½ cup reduced fat
  • Italian dressing
  • 1 ripe tomato, cut into wedges
  • ¼ cup finely chopped chives
  • Small head of lettuce, shredded

In a salad bowl, mix cooked lentils, celery, green beans, and parsley. Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Toss lentil mixture with dressing and serve on shredded lettuce. Garnish with tomato wedges and chives. Serve with crusty whole wheat bread.