6 Light Dinners That Aren’t Salad

Start the new year off by cooking dishes that are healthy and satisfying, colourful and light. Aside from meal salads that tick all the right boxes, there are many other recipes that are fun to prepare and will help you kick the year off on the right foot, with a light heart and belly.

1. Lentil Soup

A soup should be warm and invigorating, nourishing and affordable to make. This lentil version is loaded with flavour thanks to its simple yet effective mix of ingredients. Onion, celery and carrots are cooked in a tomato sauce, and the soup is then served with cilantro and yogurt for a touch of freshness.

2. Swiss Chard Frittata

This simple and colourful frittata is made with Swiss chard, sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese, and is perfect for when you’re short on time. With its tasty combination of ingredients, this Italian-inspired dish can also be made with whatever ingredients you happen to have on hand.

3. Sautéed Israeli Couscous with Chickpeas

You can prepare this vitamin-rich couscous recipe easily and with little effort. Cook the couscous with paprika, and then add in zucchini, chickpeas, olives and mint. Serve with feta cheese for a flavour boost.

4. Tartine with Chicken, Asparagus and Mashed Avocado and Sour Cream

For this recipe, take slices of multigrain bread and top them with chicken and asparagus. Then add a purée, made from avocado, sour cream and lime, with the help of a pastry bag. Garnish with bacon and watercress, and you’ve got a fresh lunch or a quick dinner.

5. Parmesan Crusted Sweet Potato, Red Cabbage and Sesame Pita Sandwiches

To make this loaded wrap, spread the pita bread with a tahini mayonnaise, which you can make while the Parmesan sweet potatoes and sesame seeds cook. The filling consists of red cabbage, whose fresh taste and crunchy texture goes well with that of the basil.

6. Pasta Primavera

Here’s a delicious way to eat more vegetables. This pasta is bursting with broccoli, carrots, asparagus, yellow bell peppers and zucchini. Full of colour, healthy ingredients and lots of flavour, this farfalle dish is a winning meal idea.