Whole Story

The way I break down creating the perfect dish is: 70% quality of ingredients, 20% technique and, of course, 10% risk. It all comes down to the ingredients. When exploring some new recipes or working with some of your old favorites, emphasize natural whole ingredients for the freshest and healthiest end result.  When you cook using a whole food, you’re bound to spend a little bit more time preparing meals (of course, depending on the dish). The good news is that cooking from scratch can really boost your creativity in the kitchen! Let the quality of the whole food ingredients speak for themselves. Whether you’re a new cook or a seasoned chef, these five quick and simple recipes are an easy way to pull together a healthy, nutrient dense meal in record time. Tomato Bulgur Soup with Warm Spices This weeknight-friendly soup is made easy by using quick-cooking bulgur. Note that the bulgur will continue to absorb the liquid if kept overnight so you may need to stir in additional broth when reheating to return to desired consistency. White Bean and Spinach Salad With so few ingredients, this salad is surprisingly substantial thanks to the protein and fiber of the beans and big flavors from red onion and a bold Dijon dressing. Quinoa with Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms Mushrooms roasted in a simple oil-free pear balsamic dressing are delicious tossed with quinoa, spinach, green onions and almonds. Serve this dish warm, room temperature or cold, as a side dish or the main event. Wild Coho Salmon with Sunshine Rice Here's an oven-baked dish that's an easy solution for busy weeknights. The recipe is a great example of how to affordably enjoy condiment-sized portions of wild-caught salmon. Serve with green beans alongside and dinner is done. Layered Vegetable Enchiladas This recipe easily doubles to serve a crowd. Better yet, it reheats perfectly in the oven, so you won't be disappointed if you happen to have leftovers on hand. Check out more simple recipes for breakfast, lunch and snack time. Find more Health Starts Here recipes. What are some of your favorite simple and healthy meals?