10 slimming spring recipes to gear up for beach season
[All Photos: Pickled Plum]
There’s nothing more liberating than the day you step outside and realize your drawer full of sweaters can safely be tossed into the box marked “winter” and stashed in the back of your closet. The sunshine and warm breeze reminds you it’s almost beach season - and maybe you indulged a little too much during those cold, winter months but not to worry! These 10 yummy and healthy meals will help you trim down so when it’s time to dig through the box marked “bikinis,” you’ll be in fine form!
Asparagus Salad with Turkey Bacon and Catalan Vinaigrette
Asparagus is in season right now and what better way to make the most of it than with this bright and easy salad. This hearty, healthy dish gets a savoury boost from the turkey bacon and a punchy citrus kick from the lemony Catalan vinaigrette. It’s basically summer on a plate!
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Watermelon, Strawberry and Tomatillo Salad
This sweet and tangy salad is as delicious as it is cleansing. Tomatillos add tartness and are a great counterpoint to the sweetness of the strawberries, while refreshing and juicy watermelon cools you down on a warm day. Healthy never tasted so good.
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Just because temperatures are rising doesn’t mean we don’t crave the foods that kept us satisfied over the winter. Modify your comfort food by bringing a big dose of healthy and delicious veggies to the party. This meatloaf calls for turkey instead of red meat and has a center filled with vegetables and sweet, tangy peaches. Pro tip: push the flavour over the top by using Tonkatsu sauce (Japanese barbecue sauce) instead of ketchup as a dipping sauce.
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It’s no secret that smoothies are an excellent way to get an infusion of good stuff into your body super quickly. Perfect for those of us that tend to prefer chocolate bars over fruits and veggies. Mango and bananas bring sweetness, tofu brings a blast of fiber, vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acids, and a little turmeric might just help squash those springtime allergies.
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Slow Cooker White Bean Chili Soup
Sometimes the biggest obstacle to eating well is the time it takes to prepare healthy food. Being busy is no longer an excuse especially when you can whip up this delicious and healthy meal with just 10 minutes of prep. The secret? Use a slow cooker, rice cooker or crockpot to handle the heavy lifting on this savory and comforting chili soup.
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Not many snacks manage to be both delicious and packed with fiber and protein. Edamame crushes those categories without breaking a sweat. A dash of sesame oil, soy sauce and pepper manage to elevate an already healthy and tasty snack to new heights. Snack away!
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Japanese Cabbage Salad (Coleslaw)
Utter the word coleslaw and a gloppy, mayo-laden mess (albeit a tasty mess!) usually comes to mind. Not so with this light Japanese version that packs a punch of umami flavor by using rice vinegar and bonito flakes. Salty, acidic, pungent and nutty - this is one delicious recipe where you can toss portion control out the window and simply dig in.
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Sub out traditional chickpeas for edamame beans when making this herbaceous green hummus. Tahini adds a smoothness to the mix so you can serve it as a spread for sandwiches or a healthy dip for veggies.
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Poached Chicken Breast with Sesame Sauce
The texture of this poached chicken dish is reminiscent of a plate of juicy, tender Hainanese chicken rice. The savory and sweet sesame sauce, however, is decidedly more Japanese in flavor. Lean protein and veggies are a great combo for getting beach ready!
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My Japanese mother taught me that finely chopped celery, tangy mustard and cornichons all go into making a tuna salad sandwich that is flavorful. Using a tiny bit of light mayo, a dash of turmeric and a whole wheat pita all go towards making sure that delicious tuna salad sandwich is healthy as well. Oddly enough, my mum always seems to be in beach-shape. Coincidence?
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