Red Lentil Soup

I'm not usually a lady who really goes in for soups, not unless I already am familiar with them or they've really got something going for them. Which is why I love living with my sister. She'll be brave and go for things I normally wouldn't try, like this lovely, homey lentil soup from The Sprouted Kitchen Cookbook. I'm usually afraid of making soups for dinner because I feel that sometimes soup isn't substantial enough on its own, but trust me: this one delivers. Plus, it's healthy! Yay!

Dill-Crusted Salmon and Summer Herbed Couscous

Even though Peter and I are dyed-in-the-wool, card-carrying carnivores, there's times when he and I both just feel like having a light, healthy, largely vegetarian meal. I'm sure you've felt the same way yourself from time to time. It was Peter's turn to cook last week and when he asked what I wanted I told him something light and healthy. I came home to find this meal being thrown together. Let me tell you, folks, it was perfect.

Sweet and Salty Shrimp Rice Bowl

Food, like music, is infinitely adaptable. Take a recipe--add a little of this, take away a little of that and you've got an entirely new riff on a dependable classic, sort of like the blues version of Mary Had a Little Lamb. This dish is a bit like that. Throw in a little honey here, a little fish sauce there, add some kale and cook it down and voila! You've got yourself a delicious, simple, healthy (and cheap) weeknight meal.