With a plethora of holiday treats (glazed ham! boozy eggnog! sugar cookies!) behind us and a new year ahead, we’re hungry for a decidedly casual, delicious detox. Think fresh produce, plant-based protein and rejuvenating recipes that will warm you up from the inside out. Read on for seven healthy-ish, tasty dinners that will start 2024 off right, from balsamic-cranberry roast chicken to restorative miso noodle soup.
Here’s What to Cook Every Night This Week (January 1 – 7)
Your healthy-ish new year “detox” awaits
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Published Dec 30, 2023
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Elena Noviello/Getty Images
Shopping List
Produce
2 stalks lemongrass
Two 2-inch pieces ginger
12 cloves garlic
5 limes
7 ounces baby spinach
6 ounces snow peas
4 ounces bean sprouts
2 red Fresno chiles
1 lemon
4 Boston lettuce leaves
1 avocado
1 large head cauliflower
2 medium purple sweet potatoes
10 ounces radicchio
2 blood oranges
1 jalapeño
6 ounces cranberries
1 small onion
2 ounces shiitake mushrooms
3 bunches scallions
1 bunch basil
1 bunch mint
2 bunches cilantro
1 bunch purple basil
1 bunch thyme
1 bunch rosemary
Meat
6 ounces salmon
8 pieces chicken (thighs, drumsticks or a mixture)
Dairy
4 ounces milk
4 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
1 stick unsalted butter
Grains
3 ounces farro
1 pound fettuccine or other long pasta
20 ounces cooked quinoa or brown rice
4 ounces dried soba noodles
Canned and Packaged Goods
Three 13½-ounce cans coconut milk
32 ounces vegetable broth
4 ounces glass noodles
2 ounces unsweetened coconut flakes
2 ounces canned black beans
Two 14-ounce packages extra-firm tofu
Pickled vegetables (such as carrot, onion and daikon)
32 ounces low-sodium chicken broth
6 ounces silken tofu
Pantry Ingredients: tahini, turmeric, garlic powder, extra-virgin olive oil, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, unseasoned rice vinegar, fish sauce, maple syrup, crushed red pepper flakes, flaky salt, sesame seeds, soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, cornstarch, vegetable or canola oil, mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar, nonstick spray, white miso paste
Tuesday: Salmon Bowl with Farro, Black Beans and Tahini Dressing
Once you taste the nutty turmeric-tahini dressing, you’ll never go back to basic vinaigrette. The garlic-lemon salmon, fluffy grains and time-saving canned black beans make this bowl beyond satiating and nutritious (hello, protein and fiber). Top it all with thin-sliced scallions and chiles.
Wednesday: Lightened-Up Fettuccine with Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
This veggie-heavy twist on a comfort food classic is only 25 minutes and a handful of pantry staples away. Puréed cauliflower takes over for traditional cream to thicken the cheesy sauce without the extra calories. Pretty ingenious if you ask us.
Thursday: Purple Salad
Moody, monochromatic and photogenic, this salad is far from your typical Caesar. Purple sweet potatoes make it a bit more filling, but feel free to serve it with soup, bread or grilled chicken to make it doubly satiating. (Oh, and if you can’t find purple spuds, purple basil or blood oranges, their standard counterparts are fine substitutes.)
Friday: Veggie Banh Mi Bowls with Crispy Tofu
Punchy marinated tofu, tender quinoa, fresh herbs and pickled veggies unite for a sandwich-inspired, plant-based bowl that contains 23 grams of protein per serving. Crown it to your heart’s content with spicy mayo, crunchy toasted sesame seeds and lime juice.
Saturday: Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken
This Insta-worthy main is ten ingredients away—and that’s including salt, pepper and nonstick spray. Most of the prep time is hands-off marinating; the rest is snugly arranging the chicken in a skillet and roasting it until brown and crisp. Sound easy enough?
P.S.: If you can’t find fresh cranberries, opt for frozen ones and thaw and drain them before using.
Sunday: Restorative Miso Noodle Soup
