Here in New York the weather has been chilly, wet, and snowy - and at Ballet Beautiful we’ve been craving hearty, comforting meals to keep us warm! Unfortunately some of our favorite comfort foods are loaded with sugar, carbs, and preservatives and end up making us feel worse instead of better after we eat them. So we’ve come up with some healthier versions of the dishes we’ve been longing for! These recipes are lightened up takes on classic comfort food and are designed to leave you feeling satisfied, nourished, and revitalized instead of overfull, bloated, and uncomfortable. We hope you enjoy, and we’d love to hear about some of your favorite cold-weather meals as well!
Zucchini “Spaghetti” with Tomato Sauce
- 1 zucchini, spiralized
- 1/2 cup of your favorite homemade or store-bought marinara sauce (if store-bought, look for one with less ingredients and preservatives!)
- Basil (optional)
- Parmesan or mozzarella cheese
Quinoa “Enchilada” Bake
- Cooked quinoa
- Cooked and shredded chicken (optional; leave out for vegetarian!)
- Black beans
- Corn
- Red or green bell peppers, chopped
- Red onions, chopped
- Salsa
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Cilantro, jalapeños, scallions, or any other toppings you like (optional)
- Seasonings of your choice (we used chili powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper)
Mix all of the ingredients besides the cheddar cheese and cilantro together. Top with cheese and bake at around 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted to your liking. Top with cilantro, more salsa, jalapeños, Greek yogurt (a healthier alternative to sour cream!) or any other toppings you like.
Cauliflower “Fried Rice”
- 1 head cauliflower, riced (you can use a cheese grater, food processor, or purchase the cauliflower rice pre-made from many stores like Whole Foods or Trader Joes!)
- Scrambled eggs
- Scallions
- Mushroom
- Carrots
- Onions
- (You can also add any other veggies you want in your fried rice like peas or corn!)
- Grated ginger and garlic (optional)
- Low-sodium soy sauce
