A Foodies "Diet" Part Three: Healthy, Satisfying Dinner Options

One of the best things that one can do is finish off the day with a delicious dinner that is packed with flavor while remaining healthy. I like mine with a glass of delicious red wine. I have put together a few menu options for you to add to your week. These are omega rich with whole grains and lots of vegetables. I try to have one or two meatless dishes per week. Trust me, you won't miss it. One of the great things about these dishes is that some of them can dual as a lunch option later in the week.

Why do these work? 
At the end of the day, you need fuel but don't want to pack in the most calories right before you sit down to watch TV right? These dishes focus on vegetable and legume side dishes and whole grains. These will keep you fuller longer keeping you from snacking before bed.

***Sugar Lip Tip: The fresh fish can sometimes throw a budget off so use your best judgment when shopping; make one fish dish instead of two.
***Tip Two: Plan your dinner time according to your bed time. You don't want to eat at 6pm if you go to bed at Midnight. You will be hungry again before bed.  Example: If my bed time is 11 pm, I try to eat around 7 or 7:30pm.

Should you need specific instructions, please feel free to email me at sugarlipslifestyletips@gmail.com

Foodie Food for Dinner

Grilled Fish Tacos with Spicy Black Beans: Grill or bake halibut (or any other mild white fish). Serve on corn tortillas topped with fresh homemade salsa, cabbage slaw (slivered carrots, red and white cabbage) and chopped cilantro. Cook black beans with red onion and jalapeno.

Pork chops with Cherry Mustard Sauce: Sear pork chops on the stove top to create crust. Finish them off in the oven. Sauce: 1/2 c. white wine, 1/2 lb. cherries (pitted), 1 tbs. dijon mustard (I prefer the whole mustard seed kind). Reduce and serve over chops with your favorite veggies.

Grilled Wild Atlantic Salmon over Brown Rice with Grilled Zucchini: self explanatory.

Tomato, Basil, Garlic Sauce over Wheat pasta: pour 1-2 cups of good quality olive oil into a dutch oven. Turn heat to med-low and allow oil to come to temp. add six chopped garlic cloves. Dice tomatoes (recommended San Marzanos or romas). When oil becomes aromatic, add tomatoes and increase heat to medium high. Bring to a boil, add salt and freshly chopped basil. Stir to combine and serve over whole wheat pasta (recommend Trader Joes, all of the other ones that I have tried are gross).

Homemade Pizza: Wheat dough topped with tomato sauce (or leftover pasta sauce above). Load it up with vegetables and top with mozzarella cheese. This meatless treat will keep your calorie count lower.

Chicken Pot Pie: What you say?? Yes, this is a favorite of mine. It is easy, delicious and way fewer calories than what you would buy or order out. (Ask Dan R. about this dish. He will agree, it's a great home-cooked meal after a long trip on the road).  I load it with tasty veggies such as onion, leeks, frozen peas, carrots. Saute all veggies until aromatic and remove from heat. I make this with a homemade vegetable stock. Click here for my recipe. I thicken it with a rue (2 T. butter and a little wheat flour). I dice up the chicken and add it to the thickened stock. Add the veggies. Cook over medium heat to infuse flavors for 4 minutes. Pour into individual souffle dishes or baking dishes and top with phyllo dough. Bake for approximately 30 minutes.