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Summer means different things to everyone, but for me, it’s family time. This summer is even more special because we’re adding a baby girl to our family. Goodbye family of two, hello family of three. My mom and sister will be staying with us to help out once the baby is born, so I’ve been planning dinners this week with recipes that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. Bonus: They’re packed with fiber, which will help you feel your best (and regular!) during your postpartum recovery. But fiber doesn’t just help with digestion; this amazing nutrient has other benefits, too, from increasing satiety to improving cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
While I was on parental leave, our new senior editor, Meghan Ginsburg, eat wellI am so excited to share it with you all, but you will be doing it for me. (Don’t worry, I will be back and you will all be in great hands!) Thanks for reading and cooking with me.
Weekly Plan
Sunday: Chicken Nachos
Monday: Black Bean Fajita Skillet
Tuesday: Spicy barbecued shrimp with vegetables and orzo
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Three Bean Chili Mac
Thursday: Pan-seared steak with crispy herbs and escarole
Friday: Lentil salad with feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers and olives
Sunday: Chicken Nachos
These nachos are a fun idea for a Sunday night dinner, especially if you plan on eating dinner on the couch while watching a movie like me. What I love about this recipe is that it’s easy to prepare, using ingredients you already have on hand: shredded cooked chicken, corn tortillas, and canned black beans. And those last two ingredients, plus the veggies, provide 10 grams of fiber per 2.5 cup serving.
Monday: Black Bean Fajita Skillet
This 5-star recipe is one of my favorite vegetarian dishes. Beans are great for bulking up meatless dishes with fiber and protein. Bell peppers add beautiful color and nutrition to the dish. Bell peppers are one of the richest foods in Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation in the body. Serve this dish on top of baby spinach and serve with warm corn tortillas.
Tuesday: Spicy barbecued shrimp with vegetables and orzo
Shrimp is my husband’s favorite food, so I make a conscious effort to add it to meals more often. Plus, shrimp are high in protein and low in saturated fat, and they cook up in no time, making them perfect for busy nights. A peppery spice blend and a bit of barbecue sauce add flavor without adding a lot of salt.
Wednesday: Three Bean Chili Mac
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
If you love chili and mac and cheese, this recipe is perfect for you. And the best part is, it only takes 15 minutes to prepare and your slow cooker does the rest. Made with a blend of three types of beans (pinto, black, and red beans), this chili is so tasty that one reviewer even went so far as to say it was “so flavorful in every bite.”
Thursday: Pan-seared steak with crispy herbs and escarole
A good steak is always the highlight of our week, and this time was no exception. If you’ve never tried escarole, I highly recommend giving it a try. This leafy vegetable’s bitterness is softened when cooked. Fresh herbs such as thyme, sage and rosemary enhance the flavor of the steak. To finish off the meal, serve this dish with wholemeal sourdough bread, which will increase your fiber intake. Each slice contains 3 grams of fiber.
Friday: Lentil salad with feta cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers and olives
Summer brings with it an abundance of beautiful vegetables and salads that can’t be missed at this time of year. I’m especially excited to try this new recipe that’s similar to the one my mom makes. The combination of feta, cucumber, and tomato is always great, but adding lentils and olives makes a great salad. Serve with Skillet Lemon Pepper Salmon., Along with omega-3 rich protein.
I hope you all have a great week, I hope you enjoy this dinner plan, if you try the recipes don’t forget to add a review!
