Weeknight Meal Planner: 9/25/17

Long, slender ribbons of butternut squash make for a beautiful and unusual presentation; just be gentle when stirring so you don't break all those gorgeous pieces. Try to grab a squash with a long neck--that straight surface works best for ribboning. If you can't find sorghum, you can use farro.

This speedy stir-fry, ready in just 20 minutes, achieves everything we love about Chinese takeout with just a few wholesome ingredients; no special equipment required. The trick is to get a good sear on the beef without cooking it all the way through, then adding it back into the mix after the vegetables become nicely crisp and the sweet-savory sauce, made from just 4 ingredients, has reduced into a thick, glossy sauce. Pop the flank steak in the freezer for just a few minutes so it will be easier to slice. 

In this fun twist on shrimp and grits, buttery creamed corn stands in for grits—a sweet and tasty surprise. The shrimp mixture takes on bold flavors from Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, and garlic—making for a robust mixture that’s complemented by the sweetness of the creamed corn. Aim for large shrimp here so the dish feels a little more special; we suggest 16/20 count shrimp or 10/15 count if you want them even bigger.

A sweet-and-savory peach glaze caramelizes on the pork as it cooks to perfection in a grill pan. We tent the pork loosely with foil during the cooking process to hold in more heat so that the meat gets done in a flash; cutting the tenderloin in half crosswise also helps it cook faster and makes turning it frequently more manageable. Be prepared to scrub your grill pan clean, as the glaze will leave behind some char; we suggest using an outdoor grill brush on it. If you have your outdoor grill cranked up, by all means toss the tenderloin on it.

Adding a subtle spiciness to this aromatic dish, black pepper is thought to enhance the absorption of turmeric in the curry. For the boldest flavor, go for 1 teaspoon peppercorns; crush with a mortar and pestle, or place in a small ziplock plastic bag and pound with a skillet. Other anti-inflammatory ingredients include ginger, garlic, onion, canola oil, and brown rice. Get an extra boost against inflammation by serving with a side of roasted cauliflower or broccoli.

Anyone who grew up making popcorn balls will remember fondly the quick, hot work of shaping the sticky mixture into balls that would quickly set up. It's an old-fashioned treat that we're bringing back because they're a 100% whole-grain dessert. That's right—popcorn is a whole grain, and popcorn balls are an easy way to turn those grains into a sweet, healthy treat for the family.