In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleYour Meal PlanSomething SweetWhat’s Cooking This Weekend
In This ArticleView All
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In This Article
Your Meal Plan
Something Sweet
What’s Cooking This Weekend
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Hi everyone! My name isCarolyn Malcoun, and I’m the senior food features editor atEatingWell. I will be making a couple of guest appearances in ThePrep in the upcoming weeks as part of our recipe spotlight:It’s 5:15 p.m.—What’s for Dinner?which features recipes that are made with only 5 ingredients or in 15 minutes or less. I’m happy to be here!
As a working mom who makes dinner at least five nights a week, fast and easy dinners are a must at my house—particularly during the school year. When our daughter, Lila, started kindergarten, she took dance lessons and did gymnastics, but as an only child, we thought it would be good for her to try a team sport. And wow, did she take to it! So much so that I’ve taken to calling her “Sporty Spice.” She has a natural affinity for soccer, field hockey, basketball and the long jump. But better yet, she has fun doing them all.
When her sports season is in full swing, we try to encourage healthy eating choices. These include lots of fruits and vegetables, complex carbs like whole-wheat bread, farro and brown rice, and especially protein to help with recovery. This week I’m turning to these delicious high-protein dinners which will help us all feel satisfied. Better yet, they’re all either ready in just 15 minutes or made with just 5 ingredients.
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Protein not only keepsour muscles and bones healthy, but it’s also crucial for a healthy immune system. (Also key at our house, since back-to-school germs are no joke!) Adults need 46 to 56 grams of protein daily, according to the2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. And theAmerican Academy of Pediatricssuggests that a kid of Lila’s weight should consume about 70 grams of protein daily. To put that into perspective, a 3-ounce portion of meat, fish or poultry has around 22 grams of protein. It’s important to note thathow much protein you should eatvaries based on your age, sex, body weight and activity level.
To help us meet our needs, this week’s dinners provide at least 15 grams of protein per serving to fit ourhigh-protein nutrition parameters. While I know my family will love this week’s recipe lineup, I am particularly excited about theSteak Enchilada Skilletrecipe. Our family adores Mexican flavors, so I’m sure everyone will devour this meal. Plus, it’s a complete meal, made entirely in one skillet (and in 15 minutes, no less!), which means fewer dishes to do and more time to hang out and watchLost in Spaceor play a game. And it’s packed with 39 grams of satisfying protein per serving. It’s a dinner winner for us.
Monday:Braised Lentils & Kale with Fried EggsTuesday:Steak Enchilada SkilletWednesday:Arugula & Cucumber Salad with Tunawith whole-grain baguetteThursday:Sesame-Crusted Tofu with Radish-Apple Slawwith brown riceFriday:Chicken & Beet Saladwith whole-grain baguette
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Now that the days are getting shorter and the nights cooler, I’m here for all the fall flavors. That’s why I’ll make thesePumpkin Spice Latte Cookies, which fit the bill. I love their cakey texture, spice profile and sweet-tangy cream cheese frosting. And Lila will appreciate having one tucked into her lunchbox the day after I bake them.
Get the Recipe:Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies
Greg DuPree
Pasta dinners are always a favorite at my house, and I lovemaking a pan of lasagnaon Sunday when I have more time to spend in the kitchen. Not only is it warm, cozy and filling, but I also love any meal that gives us multiple meals throughout the week. Since we’re a family of three, lasagna is just that—we can eat leftovers on a second night or heat it up for lunch throughout the week. And since we recently got the pasta-maker attachment for our KitchenAid, maybe we’ll even make the lasagnanoodles from scratch. Which lasagna recipe is perfect for your week? Add its ingredients to your shopping list and enjoy!
Try a Recipe:24 Lasagna Recipes You’ll Want to Make Forever
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