Recipe 1: Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomato & Cucumber Sandwich
Description: A fresh and flavorful sandwich packed with hummus, sun-dried tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, baby spinach, and crumbled feta cheese, all layered between whole-wheat bread slices.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup plain hummus
- 8 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread
- 3/4 cup drained julienned sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
- 1 cup thinly sliced English cucumber
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 3 cups loosely packed baby spinach
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Directions:
- Spread hummus on one side of each bread slice (about 1 1/2 tablespoons per slice).
- On four of the slices, layer evenly with 2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomatoes, 1/4 cup cucumber, 2 tablespoons onion, 3/4 cup spinach, and 2 tablespoons feta.
- Top with the remaining four slices of bread, hummus-side down.
- Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally and serve.
Recipe 2: Loaded Cabbage Steaks
Description: Tender and charred cabbage steaks topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, scallions, and a dollop of sour cream, perfect as a savory side or a main dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium green cabbage (3 lbs.)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 3 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Slice the cabbage vertically into four 3/4-inch steaks. Brush both sides with oil and place on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle both sides evenly with 1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder and pepper.
- Bake, flipping once, until tender and charred around the edges, about 45-50 minutes.
- Whisk melted butter and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder in a small bowl.
- Remove cabbage steaks from the oven and brush the tops with garlic butter.
- Top each steak with 1/4 cup cheese, 1 tablespoon bacon, and 1 tablespoon scallions. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with salt, and top each steak with 1 tablespoon sour cream.
Recipe 3: Strawberry-Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Description: A nutritious and portable breakfast bar made with rolled oats, fresh strawberries, and a touch of brown sugar, layered with strawberry preserves for a delightful start to your day.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 4 tablespoons light brown sugar, divided
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
- 3 tablespoons strawberry preserves
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray.
- Whisk together milk, eggs, applesauce, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, vanilla, chia seeds, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Fold in oats and strawberries until evenly coated.
- Spoon half of the oat mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Spread the preserves over the oat mixture, then top with the remaining oat mixture.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar over the top.
- Bake until just set in the center and golden brown on top, about 35 minutes.
- Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Recipe 4: Carrot Cake-Inspired Loaf Bread
Description: A moist and flavorful loaf bread inspired by carrot cake, made with whole-wheat flour, shredded carrots, walnuts, and a touch of maple syrup.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
- 3 tablespoons flaxmeal
- 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup whole-milk plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt
- 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted smooth cashew butter
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on both long sides.
- Whisk together all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, flaxmeal, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl until combined.
- In a large bowl, whisk together yogurt, applesauce, brown sugar, cashew butter, oil, eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla until smooth. Gradually add the flour mixture and gently stir until just combined. Fold in carrots, walnuts, coconut, and raisins.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a silicone or offset spatula.
- Bake for 25 minutes; tent with foil and continue baking until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 more minutes.
- Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Carefully lift from the pan using the paper overhang, remove paper, and let cool completely on the rack, about 1 hour.
- Whisk together cream cheese, maple syrup, milk, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a small bowl until smooth. Pour the glaze over the loaf.