Quick & Easy
Dinner Tonight: April 2011

Dinner Tonight: April 2011

April 01, 2011

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Randy Mayor

Serve up easy, delicious dinners every night (in 45 minutes or less!) with these healthy, family-friendly recipes.

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Gnocchi with Shrimp, Asparagus, and Pesto

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Give pasta a break and try gnocchi instead. The potato dumplings paired with fresh ingredients make for a healthy, comforting meal.

Gnocchi with Shrimp, Asparagus, and Pesto Recipe

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Chipotle Sloppy Joes

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Add Mexican-inspired spice to this traditional family favorite. Serve with your favorite coleslaw for an easy side.

Chipotle Sloppy Joes Recipe

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Orange-Glazed Salmon Fillets with Rosemary

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Fresh rosemary and a little maple syrup infuse aromatic and faintly sweet flavor into this speedy seafood dish.

Orange-Glazed Salmon Fillets with Rosemary Recipe

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Greek Sandwich with Feta Vinaigrette

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell; Food Kellie Gerber Kelley

Serve a sandwich piled high with the fresh flavors of Greece. The vinaigrette adds bright flavor to the stacker and is also tasty on salad greens.

Greek Sandwich with Feta Vinaigrette Recipe

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Grilled Lamb Chops and Mint Chimichurri

Photo: Ellie Miller; Styling: Angharad Bailey

Complement pan-grilled lamb chops with chimichurri, a sauce made of fresh herbs, garlic, and olive oil.

Grilled Lamb Chops and Mint Chimichurri Recipe

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Pasta with Prosciutto and Spinach

Photo: Beau Gustafson; Styling: Jan Gautro

Dress up pasta night with a hearty bowl of fresh cheese tortellini tossed in a homemade sauce.

Pasta with Prosciutto and Spinach Recipe

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Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Introduce your taste buds to Vietnamese cuisine with this quick and easy soup. The rich broth, aromatic herbs, and tender steak will have your guests going back for seconds.

Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup Recipe

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Chicken Tamale Casserole

Photo: Lee Harrelson

A simple cornbread base is the secret to getting a hearty (usually time-consuming) Mexican dish on the dinner table in no time. This Chicken Tamale casserole is a quick and easy swap for more traditional tamales - but just as delicious!

Chicken Tamale Casserole Recipe

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Glazed Pork Chops

Lee Harrelson

Port wine, plum preserves, and balsamic vinegar combine for a sweet and savory glaze for these juicy pork chops. Couscous and green beans complete the meal.

Glazed Pork Chops Recipe

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Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Serve a light and fresh turkey burger flavored with pesto and feta cheese for dinner tonight.
Mediterranean Turkey Burgers Recipe

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Spinach Calzones with Blue Cheese

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Mary Catherine Muir

The combination of onions, mushrooms, and fresh spinach packs a serving of veggies into each of these easy, impressive calzones.

Spinach Calzones with Blue Cheese Recipe

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Chipotle Pork Tacos

Photo: Ellie Miller; Styling: Angharad Bailey

This simple pork taco recipe highlights traditional Mexican ingredients like cilantro, lime, and chipotle chiles. Cook the corn tortillas over an open gas flame or in a grill pan for chargilled flavor.

Chipotle Pork Tacos Recipe

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Flank Steak with Asian Cucumber Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Enjoy a quick steak dinner infused with fragrant Asian flavor. Spiced wonton chips that bake while the steak rests are an easy accompaniment.

Flank Steak with Asian Cucumber Salad Recipe

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Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Use rotisserie chicken from the deli to cut preparation time on this chicken pasta salad recipe. Serve it for dinner tonight, and then pack the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.

Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad Recipe

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Blackened Cumin-Cayenne Tilapia

Photo: Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Rose Nguyen

Use your broiler to make already quick-cooking fish fillets an even speedier dinner option.

Blackened Cumin-Cayenne Tilapia Recipe

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Egg Salad BLTs

Got leftover eggs? Combine bacon and tomatoes with homemade egg salad for a quick, satisfying sandwich tonight.

Egg Salad BLTs Recipe

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Broiled Salmon with Marmalade-Dijon Glaze

Lee Harrelson

Although quick enough for a hectic weeknight, this broiled salmon dish will impress guests. Serve with salad and roasted potatoes.

Broiled Salmon with Marmalade-Dijon Glaze Recipe

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Pasta Primavera

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Jan Gautro

Use fresh, seasonal vegetables for a hearty meatless meal tonight. For the meat lovers in the family, feel free to add chicken or shrimp to this recipe.
Pasta Primavera Recipe

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Herb and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Photo: Ellie Miller; Styling: Angharad Bailey

Dress up a basic chicken breast by stuffing with an herb and goat cheese mixture. Serve with fresh spinach sauteed with crushed red pepper.

Herb and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts Recipe

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Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Orange and Red Onion Salsa

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Comfort food is perfect for family night, so dish up a hearty pork dish with a tangy salsa topping. A quick and hearty rice-and-beans side dish complements the roast.

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Orange and Red Onion Salsa Recipe

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Peppery Monterey Jack Pasta Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired supper for a quick-fix meal. Serve alongside Asiago breadsticks.

Peppery Monterey Jack Pasta Salad Recipe

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Halibut with Caper Salsa Verde

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

The robust salsa is a dominant presence on the plate. Sweet and mellow roasted fennel makes a particularly fitting side.

Halibut with Caper Salsa Verde Recipe

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Thai Beef Salad

Photography: Becky-Stayner; Styling: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Budget-friendly flank steak paired with traditional Thai flavors gives you a filling salad for dinner that's less than 300 calories.

Thai Beef Salad Recipe

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Lemon-Oregano Lamb Chops

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie Clark

Thirty minutes and five ingredients are all you need to get this fresh-flavored lamb dish on the dinner table. Nestle an oregano sprig under each serving for a lively garnish. A side of orzo pilaf rounds out the menu.

Lemon-Oregano Lamb Chops Recipe

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Open-Faced Egg Sandwiches

Open-Faced Sandwiches with Ricotta, Arugula, and Fried Egg

Photo: John Autry; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

You'll need a knife and fork to dig in to these filling sandwiches that give a unique take on breakfast for dinner.

Open-Faced Egg Sandwiches Recipe

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Linguine with Clams and Fresh Herbs

Photo: Ellie Miller; Styling: Angharad Bailey

Serve an Italian-inspired dish featuring quick-cooking linguine and clams in a light, fresh white wine sauce.

Linguine with Clams and Fresh Herbs Recipe

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Chicken Carne Asada Tacos with Pickled Onions

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Pickled onions, diced avocado, and crumbled Cotija cheese make delicious toppings for these fresh chicken tacos.

Chicken Carne Asada Tacos with Pickled Onions Recipe

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Baked Shrimp with Feta

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Dig into a delicious shrimp bake topped with tomatoes and feta cheese for a company-worthy dinner in a flash. Orzo accented with fresh herbs completes this Mediterranean-inspired seafood meal.

Baked Shrimp with Feta Recipe

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Chicken, Cashew, and Red Pepper Stir-Fry

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

This chicken stir-fry dish perfectly balances salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy ingredients. Spoon it alongside a quick rice pilaf for the perfect meal.
Chicken, Cashew, and Red Pepper Stir-Fry Recipe

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Penne with Sausage, Eggplant, and Feta

Randy Mayor

Breakfast sausage, eggplant, and zesty feta pair perfectly in this hearty pasta dish.

Penne with Sausage, Eggplant, and Feta Recipe

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Dinner Tonight: April 2011

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Gnocchi with Shrimp, Asparagus, and Pesto

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Chipotle Sloppy Joes

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Orange-Glazed Salmon Fillets with Rosemary

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Greek Sandwich with Feta Vinaigrette

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Grilled Lamb Chops and Mint Chimichurri

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Pasta with Prosciutto and Spinach

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Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup

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Chicken Tamale Casserole

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Glazed Pork Chops

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Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

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Spinach Calzones with Blue Cheese

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Chipotle Pork Tacos

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Flank Steak with Asian Cucumber Salad

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Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad

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Blackened Cumin-Cayenne Tilapia

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Egg Salad BLTs

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Broiled Salmon with Marmalade-Dijon Glaze

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Pasta Primavera

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Herb and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

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Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Orange and Red Onion Salsa

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Peppery Monterey Jack Pasta Salad

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Halibut with Caper Salsa Verde

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Thai Beef Salad

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Lemon-Oregano Lamb Chops

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Open-Faced Egg Sandwiches

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Linguine with Clams and Fresh Herbs

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