I don’t know about you, but due to a combination of special holiday indulgences and spending an unprecedented amount of time at home while craving comfort food (and being near my snack cabinet), I am finding that a) my pants are a little less comfortable and b) I’m getting tired of cooking. In this new year, I’m looking forward to inspiring, healthy recipes that still comfort and sustain me. Even better if they are easy to make and yield great leftovers so that I don’t have to cook more often than necessary. I bet you are looking forward to those kinds of recipes too! Somehow, it’s going on five months since The Well Plated Cookbook hit bookstore shelves. It’s filled with more than 130 brand NEW recipes (meaning ones you won’t find here on my website) that are easy to make (lots of one-pan and 30-minute meals), healthy, and taste outstanding. If you already own The Well Plated Cookbook, reading your reviews and happy notes and seeing your shares on social media was the highlight of my year. If you haven’t picked up a copy of the book yet, I hope the below list inspires you to go for it; if you do have a copy (THANK YOU AGAIN), I hope you find a new recipe to try. The recipes in this cookbook are my favorites I’ve ever created. You can check out a few below. Each recipe in this book is good for you but doesn’t taste like “diet” food. I won’t ask you to buy fancy ingredients, and I tell you exactly how to store and reheat leftovers, plus ingredient swaps you can make. These are exactly the kind of recipes I need in my life right now. Plus, every recipe has a gorgeous photo! Find more information about the book here, including a video trailer that shows the inside, plus some key facts and reviews.
Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
Like a better for you (and WAY better tasting!) egg McMuffin. I include 4 different flavor variations so that you can keep your breakfasts feeling fresh and new. Make a batch, then freeze them individually for healthy breakfast on demand. (p. 28)
Balsamic Farro Salad with Edamame and Cranberries
Don’t let the short prep time and minimal ingredient list fool you. This salad has big, bold flavor, and it is filling. I love this on its own for a light lunch, mixed with greens, or paired with chicken or shrimp. The leftovers taste fantastic, so it’s excellent for meal prep. (p. 103)
Thai Peanut Chicken Stir Fry (The Stir Fry That Got Me Married)
The peanut sauce is EVERYTHING. Not only did this recipe convince Ben to propose—I’ve now heard from multiple of you who got engaged after making it yourselves! It really is THAT good. This recipe includes a vegetarian version and tips for using different veggies. (p. 122)
Sheet Pan Tandoori Chicken
The recipe I cooked on Good Morning America (yes, LIVE national television) to rave reviews! This is one of the MANY dynamite one-pan meals I have in this book. (p. 131)
4-Unboring Ways to Use Shredded Chicken
I get it! You are busy and don’t always have time to cook. That’s why I included 4 recipes that make speedy use of store-bought rotisserie chicken, including these tasty Chicken Shawarma Wraps. If you’d like to make your own shredded chicken, I included directions to cook it on the stove top, in the Instant Pot, and in the slow cooker to help you out. (p. 154)
One Pot Sun-Dried Tomato Orzo with Spinach
Another one-pan winner, this is a satisfying meatless main. For the vegetarians in the audience, this book has a full list of meatless main dishes that are so flavorful and filling, carnivores love them too. (p. 145)
Slow Cooker Crispy Pineapple Pork Carnitas
TO DIE FOR. The juicy meat is fall-apart tender, and the slow cooker does the work! (p. 217)
Chicken Pot Pie Stew with Buttery Garlic “Crust” Croutons
All the comforting flavor of chicken pot pie, turned into a thick, creamy, and comforting stew. It’s just as satisfying as the original, but the ingredients are significantly lighter. I skip the fuss of a crust in favor of easy homemade croutons. The croutons taste so addictive, you have to be careful or you’ll eat the whole batch right off of the pan! (p. 233)
Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Whoever said that healthy food tastes boring has never tried these beauties! A touch of brown butter gives them indulgent flavor, but they are surprisingly light and nutritious. These pair perfectly with any of your favorite mains. (p. 250)
Double Trouble Fudge Cookies
Because enjoying a healthy diet should never mean skipping dessert! These rich, fudgy cookies taste like a cross between a brownie and a flourless chocolate cake. A secret good-for-you ingredient gives them the most marvelous, melt-in-your-mouth texture. This cookbook has a wonderful selection of healthy desserts for all tastes. (p. 270)
Where to Buy
Read more about The Well Plated Cookbook here.