Officially kicking off the new year on the blog with a roundup of 24 of my favorite healthy recipes! Every January, I find myself invigorated to start the year off on a fresh, exciting note in the kitchen. And I hope these recipes inspire you to feel the same.
In my mind, healthy food should be far from bland and boring. It should be colorful, vibrant, and if anything, more exciting than ever. Balanced dishes that focus on nourishing, wholesome ingredients, but that aren’t restrictive – full of lean meats, fresh seafood, whole grains, lots of vegetables, herbs and spices, a little cheese, and some butter here and there because moderation is key.
The list of recipes below includes satisfying breakfasts, nourishing salads, cozy soups, a whole assortment of hearty meat & seafood recipes, and some very flavorful vegetables. I hope you enjoy and have the best start to 2023!
a quick note…
I’ve been doing lots of recipe brainstorming over the past few days, and I’d love to hear from you! What recipes are you most looking forward to in the coming months? Easy weeknight meals? Winter dinner party food? Fresh and healthy salads? Send an email or leave a comment below with your requests!
breakfast…
Eggs poached right in a spicy red pepper tomato sauce and served with a fresh avocado salad full of feta cheese, green olives, scallions, and lemon. It’s a bold, flavorful dish that’s beyond simple to make and extremely satisfying. Serve it all with some bread toasted in olive oil for the ultimate breakfast feast!
Simple 3-egg omelets made extra special with fresh parsley, chives, and oregano…and a little creamy ricotta cheese. They’re topped with crispy chickpeas and pan-roasted mushrooms for extra heartiness.
Golden Amaranth Oats with Caramelized Bananas
A vibrant bowl of golden amaranth oats to brighten up these January mornings! Amaranth and oats cooked in coconut milk until creamy, flavored with cinnamon, golden turmeric, and honey. Pour into your prettiest bowl and top with coconut flakes, pistachios, and honey caramelized bananas. It’s a healthy oatmeal recipe that feels so special, full of nourishing ingredients to start your day on the best note.
salads…
Spiced Sweet Potato Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
This hearty salad is full of flavor & texture that makes it addictingly good. Spiced sweet potatoes and chickpeas baked until golden, pickled red onions for a little tang, fresh cucumber, lots of herbs, creamy crumbled feta cheese, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. It’s such a fun combination that makes the perfect entree salad for lunch or dinner.
This is my everyday roasted red pepper & chicken salad with crunchy fennel, watermelon radish, briny olives, roasted walnuts, fresh chives + oregano, and a simple dijon vinaigrette. It’s a salad I love to prep for on Sunday, and then toss all of the ingredients fresh during the week when a salad craving hits.
Intriguing and quite unique – full of shaved fennel and celery, sharp crumbles of manchego cheese, briny olives, a sweet pomegranate vinaigrette, and a wildly delicious mixture of harissa-spiced chickpeas + pecans + juicy golden raisins. It’s got a middle eastern vibe and is perfect for any dinner party or meal at home.
soups…
A flavorful spin on chicken noodle soup that is still every bit warming and comforting. Full of vibrant Thai flavors to keep things fresh and exciting during these cold winter months.
Golden Carrot Soup with Pistachio Dukkah
It’s simple, healthy, has a really lovely carrot flavor, and is topped with an extra flavorful crunchy nut and spice mixture. The perfect soup when you need something warming and equally vibrant.
Hearty & satisfying, with bold tomato and nutty parmesan flavors running throughout. Sit down to a hot bowl for lunch or maybe add on a big salad to turn it into the perfect soup + salad dinner combo. I make this ALL the time and recently added spicy Italian chicken sausage to it (brown off 1 lb of sausage in olive oil, remove from the pot, make the soup as instructed, and then add the sausage back when the soup is ready to simmer). It was so incredibly delicious.
Roasted Broccoli Soup with Melted Cheddar Croutons
This is the simplest recipe that you can make all winter long. The soup is flavored with onion, leeks, garlic, and za’atar (a very flavorful herby spice blend), plus all that delicious roasted broccoli. And of course the best part…the toasted, cheesy whole grain bread for dipping. It’s the best lunch or side dish for these cold January days!
meat…
Spicy Thai Peanut Chicken
Chicken breast browned in a hot skillet and tossed in a bold peanut sauce with caramelized shallots, red peppers, chile peppers, peanut butter, and coconut milk. With a few fun Thai ingredients thrown into the mix, this dish is bursting with fresh and vibrant flavors. Served over rice and topped with toasted peanuts for a finishing crunch. It’s easy, healthy, and definitely not your average chicken dinner.
The tastiest plate of baked chicken meatballs with pearl couscous, a creamy harissa yogurt sauce, and lots of herbs. This is such a fun dinner recipe to change up your weeknight routines! It makes for great leftovers, too, and is full of nourishing ingredients.
This chili is hearty and comforting, with lots of warming spices and satisfying ingredients. The ground lamb gives it a rich flavor, while the caramelized butternut squash adds a little sweetness. It comes together really easily and simmers for just about an hour on the stove.
Spicy Maple Mustard Chicken with Creamy Polenta
Chicken thighs are pan-seared in a skillet until crisp and juicy, then coated in a really flavorful sweet and spicy glaze, and served over creamy white cheddar polenta with caramelized butternut squash & wilted greens alongside. It’s a fun, healthy-ish meal that’s every bit as delicious as it is satisfying.
Everyone needs a good roast chicken recipe in their back pocket, and this salt & pepper roast chicken dinner is that classic dish that you’ll go to time and time again. It’s the perfect complete dinner made in just about an hour or so. Golden, juicy roast chicken with roasted potatoes, carrots, fennel, and shallots alongside. Served with a bright gremolata topping and a good drizzle of olive oil.
It’s a new york strip steak seared simply with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, served alongside a mixture of roasted potatoes, asparagus, and radishes, and drizzled with a tangy mustard caper sauce. Great for both weeknight cooking or a special weekend meal.
seafood…
Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Lime Yogurt Sauce
These tacos are beyond simple, but packed with so much bright, bold, vibrant flavor – spiced and sauteed shrimp, a fresh avocado salsa with chiles and cilantro, and a zesty lime yogurt sauce. They’re healthy and come together really quickly. The best way to spice up any weeknight!
The noodles are combined with crunchy vegetables and pan-roasted mushrooms, then tossed in a really flavorful tahini sauce full of lime and toasted sesame seeds, and served with a simple piece of seared salmon. It’s a meal that comes together quickly, tastes crisp and refreshing, and packs in lots of healthy ingredients.
A dish to savor the beautiful winter citrus! It’s a simple, quick recipe with exciting flavor. Serve it with a side of roasted vegetables & rice for a really balanced and refreshing winter dinner.
Simple Salmon Dinner with Roasted Carrots
A dinner that’s elegant and special, yet simple enough for any night of the week. The salmon is served alongside roasted carrots with two sauces to bring it all together – a creamy yogurt sauce and a tangy chive vinaigrette.
vegetables…
This is one of those dishes where there’s a ton of flavor going on and it all ends up coming together in the most delicious way. It’s a plate of roasted beets with tangy blood oranges, creamy yogurt, fried rosemary oil, pistachios, briny olives, a splash of vinegar, and some honey to round it all out.
Spicy Sesame Cauliflower with Toasted Garlic
A quick & flavorful side dish of cauliflower roasted with sesame seeds & pecans, then tossed in a sweet, spicy, sticky sauce flavored with chiles and ginger, and topped with a sprinkling of toasted garlic.
A Christmas side dish that doubles as a healthy January recipe! Simple, very flavorful beans and broccolini with wilted red chard, crispy shallots, pistachios, parmesan, and a lemony parsley sauce.
Roasted Carrots with Tahini Pomegranate Sauce
Easy roasted carrots with tahini pomegranate sauce – a flavorful mix of tahini, pomegranate molasses, lemon, and vinegar. Topped with creamy goat cheese, fresh pomegranate seeds, and lots of herbs. It’s a fun, bold side dish that will add plenty of flavor to any winter meal.
