Date Night - Done Right!
Protein-Focused Healthy Recipes for a Romantic Evening.
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Date night calls for something special, something that not only tantalizes the taste buds but also nourishes the body. With a focus on protein and keeping carbs and grains to a minimum, we've crafted a selection of delightful dishes perfect for a romantic evening in. So, get ready to impress your partner with these delicious and healthy recipes.​
1. Grilled Salmon with Asparagus and Lemon Zest
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Ingredients:
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2 salmon fillets
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1 bunch of asparagus
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1 lemon
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Olive oil
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions:
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Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
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Season the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
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Grill the salmon for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
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While the salmon is grilling, toss the asparagus in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
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Grill the asparagus until tender and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes.
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Serve the grilled salmon and asparagus with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon zest over the top.
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2. Mango Shrimp Salad with Avocado Dressing
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Ingredients:
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1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
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2 ripe mangoes, diced
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Mixed salad greens
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1 avocado
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2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
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1 lime, juiced
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions:
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Season the shrimp with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice.
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Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp until pink and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side.
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In a blender, combine the flesh of the avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth to make the dressing.
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Assemble the salad by tossing the mixed greens, diced mangoes, and cooked shrimp together.
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Drizzle the avocado dressing over the salad just before serving.
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3. Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast with Roasted Vegetables
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Ingredients:
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, and parsley)
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Assorted vegetables (such as carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini), chopped
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Olive oil
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Instructions:
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
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In a small bowl, mix together the chopped herbs, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
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Rub the herb mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
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Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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Toss the chopped vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread them out on the baking sheet around the chicken.
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Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
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4. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
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Ingredients:
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Fresh strawberries
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Dark chocolate, melted
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Instructions:
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Wash and dry the strawberries, leaving the stems intact.
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Dip each strawberry into the melted dark chocolate, coating it halfway.
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Place the chocolate-dipped strawberries on a parchment-lined tray.
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Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a few minutes before serving.
5. Balsamic Glazed Steak with Garlic Green Beans
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Ingredients:
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2 beef steaks (such as sirloin or ribeye)
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¼ cup balsamic vinegar
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2 tablespoons honey
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 lb green beans, trimmed
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Olive oil
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions:
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In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the glaze.
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Season the steaks with salt and pepper on both sides.
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the steaks to desired doneness, brushing with the balsamic glaze during the last few minutes of cooking.
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Meanwhile, blanch the green beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then drain and sauté in olive oil until tender.
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Serve the glazed steak alongside the garlic green beans.
6. Grilled Chicken Skewers with Pineapple Salsa
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Ingredients:
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2 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
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1 cup pineapple chunks
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1 red onion, diced
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1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
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2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
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Juice of 1 lime
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions:
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Thread the chicken cubes onto skewers and season with salt and pepper.
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Grill the chicken skewers over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
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In a bowl, combine pineapple chunks, diced bell pepper, diced onion, minced jalapeño, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper to make the salsa.
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Serve the grilled chicken skewers with pineapple salsa on the side.
7. Seared Tuna Steaks with Sesame Broccoli
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Ingredients:
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2 tuna steaks
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2 tablespoons sesame seeds
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1 tablespoon sesame oil
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1 tablespoon rice vinegar
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1 tablespoon honey
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1 lb broccoli florets
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Olive oil
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions:
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Press sesame seeds onto both sides of the tuna steaks to coat.
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In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and honey to make the marinade.
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Marinate the tuna steaks in the mixture for 15-20 minutes.
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Sear the tuna steaks for 1-2 minutes on each side for rare or longer for desired doneness.
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Meanwhile, steam or blanch the broccoli florets until tender.
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Serve the seared tuna steaks with sesame broccoli on the side.
8. Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey and Quinoa
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Ingredients:
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4 bell peppers, halved and seeds removed
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1 lb ground turkey
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1 cup cooked quinoa
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1 onion, diced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon paprika
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½ teaspoon cumin
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
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Instructions:
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In a skillet, cook ground turkey over medium heat until browned. Add diced onion, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper, and cook until the onion is soft.
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Stir in cooked quinoa and remove from heat.
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Stuff the halved bell peppers with the turkey-quinoa mixture.
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Place the stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
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Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
9. Salmon Cakes with Lemon Dill Yogurt Sauce
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Ingredients:
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2 cans (14 oz each) salmon, drained
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½ cup almond flour
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2 eggs, lightly beaten
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2 green onions, finely chopped
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
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Zest of 1 lemon
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Olive oil
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½ cup Greek yogurt
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Juice of ½ lemon
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Instructions:
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In a bowl, combine drained salmon, almond flour, beaten eggs, chopped green onions, chopped fresh dill, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
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Form the mixture into patties.
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the salmon cakes for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
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In a separate bowl, mix together Greek yogurt and lemon juice to make the sauce.
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Serve the salmon cakes with lemon dill yogurt sauce on the side.