What to Cook (Feb 24-28): Healthy 20 Minute Dinners
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What to Cook (Feb 24-28): Healthy 20 Minute Dinners
Five weeknights of healthy 20 minute dinners, perfect for late winter. And appropriate for the beginning of the Lenten season. It’s what’s for dinner this week!
It’s an interesting food week to plan meals for. Much like the highs and lows and in-betweens.
That’s how I look at it.
This week marks Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, and Ash Wednesday. Food choices depend on how you choose to celebrate.
As you know, Tuesday is a feasting day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning a 40-day observance before Easter.
Lent is a season where Catholics and even mainline Protestants dedicate 40 days to healthy, simple foods. For many it’s a season of fasting, giving up meat and sweets. And sometimes other things.
“The Sun,” a UK Newspaper, wrote a great article on observing Lent, Ash Wednesday, and fasting.
These 40 days are a season of reflection, spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and prayer. A time to refocus and reset. A time to get ready for Easter.
Thoughts Behind This Week’s Meal Plan
Monday:
If you’re observing Lent, Monday is a night of healthy feasting with a delicious but easy 20-minute pork chop dinner.
Tuesday:
Tuesday is a day called by many names. Perhaps the most descriptive term is “Fat Tuesday.” It’s a day to empty the kitchen, pantry, refrigerator of all that is unhealthy. A day simply set aside to feast.
I like to celebrate two ways; with the Cajun French and with the British. We’re making a delicious Instant Pot jambalaya that’s a tad bit healthy.
We’re also celebrating Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day, as is often celebrated in Great Britain. These simple pancakes are made without leavening and are incredibly delicious.
Ash Wednesday:
Many Lenten observers fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. And refrain from meat. Fish is not included in the “meat” category.
I’ve often read the Lent season is about eating simple foods. For Wednesday, I’m serving a simple fish dish with a few, healthy ingredients.
Going forward, I’ll be planning seafood dishes on Fridays.
Healthy 20 Minute Dinners
This week is all about healthy 20 minute dinners inspired by late winter tastes. The weather is still cold in most parts, but the days are lengthening. I’m thinking about ingredients like lemons and fresh greens… and yes, warmer days to come.
Have a great week everyone!
RELATED: More 31Daily Dinner Ideas >>
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What to Eat This Week: Healthy 20 Minute Dinners
Monday: Pork Chops with Garlic Spinach
Tuesday: Instant Pot Jambalaya
Wednesday: Garlicky Lemon Baked Tilapia
Thursday: 20 Minute Healthy Chili
Friday: Maple Glazed Salmon with Greens
Treat: GF DF Cinnamon Raisin Bread
What to Cook (Feb 24-28): Healthy 20 Minute Dinners
Five weeknights of healthy 20 minute dinners, perfect for late winter. And for the beginning of the Lenten season. It's what's for dinner this week!
Monday: Sauteed Pork Chops with Garlic Spinach
"This pork chop recipe is inexpensive, which makes cooking easier for everyone. Keep an eye on the spinach—it cooks fast!"
Tuesday: Easy Instant Pot Jambalaya
Celebrating Mardi Gras with this easy Instant Pot Jambalaya, a perennial cajun favorite. It's a one-pot easy, 20 to 25-minute dinner. Enjoy the sausage because tomorrow is Ash Wednesday!
Wednesday: Garlicky Lemon Baked Tilapia
While many fast on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, others abstain from meat during the Lenten season. Lent is about simple, healthy food. This fish dish has a handful of ingredients, is healthy, and a delicious alternative to meat. And yes, fish does not count as a "meat" during Lent.
Thursday: Healthy 20-Minute Chili Recipe
This 20 minute, healthy chili recipe has been a favorite in our house for a long time. It's quick and delicious... perfect for weeknight meals. This recipe calls for ground beef and I'll be substituting ground turkey instead. Serve with a simple cornbread and greens.
Friday: Maple Glazed Salmon
In keeping with meat-free Fridays during Lent, I'm serving this quick and delicious Maple Glazed Salmon. I will marinate it for 30 minutes if time allows. Serve with simple greens and a healthy grain. I'm loving brown basmati rice these days. And it goes so well with this salmon recipe!
Treat: Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread
"After learning of gluten and dairy issues in our family, I knew I had to re-create our favorite sweet bread. This gluten-free bread can be made using a premixed gluten-free flour or your own homemade blend. We use coconut milk to make it dairy-free, but any type of milk works!"
More Weekly Dinner Plans
Check out all our weekly dinner meal plans here……
Good morning, I am gluten free and soy free and that recipe of raisin cinnamon bread sounds amazing I’m all for gluten free recipes I’m going to make this when I can get to the store for raisins,our weather today is snow and snow and very cold and windy. Thx have a blessed week Cindy from Colorado
Stay warm Cindy! I thought about you when I posted this for the week! We’re stormy today too with no power. I’m out looking for a cup of warm coffee ??!