40 Recipes to Get You Back on Track After the Holidays

Salmon with Brown Sugar Glaze

I was not a salmon lover until I tried this recipe. Now it is one of my favorite dishes to serve friends. —Rachel Garcia, Arlington, Virginia

Tropical Smoothie Bowl

This wake-me-up smoothie bowl with fruit, oats and cinnamon helps me start the day feeling satisfied. Sometimes I top it off with granola and berries or cherries. —Jonelle Dansie, Murray, Utah

Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread

In my quest to find an edible gluten free bread, this recipe emerged. It’s moist and has no cardboard texture! —Doris Kinney, Merrimack, New Hampshire

Easy Pepper Steak

We live on the eastern edge of the Sand Hills here in Nebraska, where most folks are ranchers. This popular pepper steak recipe is tasty as well as colorful. —Carolyn Butterfield, Atkinson, Nebraska

Zucchini Crust Pizza

My mother-in-law shared the recipe for this unique pizza with me. It's just right for brunch, lunch or a light supper. Loosen the nutritious zucchini crust from the pan with a metal spatula. —Ruth Denomme, Englehart, Ontario

Fluffy Banana Pancakes

I love to make pancakes for my family on Saturday mornings. Since we often have ripe bananas, I decided to add them to a batch of pancake batter. The results were delicious!—Lori Stevens, Riverton, Utah

California Roll Wraps

I love the California rolls I get at sushi restaurants and wanted to capture those flavors in a sandwich I could take to work. I started with the standard ingredients, added a few others and came up with a hit. —Mary Pax-Shipley, Bend, Oregon

Red Potatoes with Beans

You can serve this homey blend of fresh green beans, potato wedges and chopped red onion hot or cold. Either way, this easy side dish makes a pleasing accompaniment to Mom's meat loaf or almost any other meat. —Daria Burcar, Rochester, Michigan

Cashew Cheese

Spread this vegan cashew cheese on crackers, layer it on a toasted bagel or serve it with fresh vegetables. It also makes a delicious, out-of-the-ordinary sandwich spread! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Parsnips & Turnips au Gratin

This is a delicious variation on au gratin that features something besides potatoes. I sometimes substitute rutabaga for the turnips. It’s a well-guarded recipe in my collection. Until now! —Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida

Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups

Lettuce wraps make light, lively appetizers. These are easy to make because the slow cooker does most of the work. Just load it up and let things get cooking. When the chicken is cooked, just shred and serve. —Robin Haas, West Roxbury, Massachusetts

Pronto Vegetarian Peppers

In the summer I love to serve these peppers with salad and a roll. At the end of summer, I freeze them for cold months when produce costs are high. For a hot meal on a cold day, I love to serve them with a side of warm pasta tossed in olive oil. —Renee Hollobaugh, Altoona, Pennsylvania

Pomegranate Splash Salad

The sparkling pomegranate gems make this salad irresistibly beautiful. My family loves it at holiday gatherings when pomegranates are in season. Even the children can't get enough of this antioxidant-rich delight. —Emily Jamison, Champaign, Illinois

Pork Chops & Acorn Squash

My husband and I are crazy for the squash we grow in our garden. For a sweet and tangy dish, we slow-cook it with pork chops and orange juice. —Mary Johnson, Coloma, Wisconsin

 

Oven-Baked Asparagus

I like to use recipes that call for fresh produce I've grown in my garden. Here's a simple way to make baked asparagus to bring out the flavor while maintaining that bright green color. —Robert Foust, Indianapolis, Indiana

Chipotle Berry Fruit Salsa

Not too hot, but with a bit of a kick, this salsa is a perfect topping for grilled fish or chicken. It’s also a delectable chip dip—just double the recipe and watch it disappear. The spice is quite mild, but cut down on (or increase!) the chipotle peppers to suit your taste. If you like, add lime zest for an added twist. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Sweet Potato Chili with Turkey

My slow-cooker chili is packed with flavor. Swapping ground turkey for ground beef lightens it up, and sweet potato puree sneaks in a healthy dose of vitamin A. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia

Colorful Avocado Salad

I appreciate the crisp, fresh vegetables and bright colors in this nutritious salad. The avocado adds a delightful creaminess. A friend gave me the idea for this recipe while we were discussing salads. —Bev Lehrman, Jijoca, Brazil

Breakfast Banana Splits

These bright cups are pretty enough for a formal brunch, yet simple and nutritious, too. Feel free to substitute different fruits and cereals—the possibilities are endless! —Renee Lloyd, Pearl, Mississippi

Simple Guacamole

Because avocados can brown quickly, it’s best to make this guacamole just before serving. If you have to make it a little in advance, place the avocado pit in the guacamole until ready to serve. —Heidi Main, Anchorage, AK

Chorizo and Chickpea Soup

The chorizo sausage adds its own spice to the broth, creating delicious flavor without any extra seasonings. And while it's cooking, the whole house smells amazing. —Jaclyn McKewan, Lancaster, New York

Brussels Sprouts & Kale Saute

In an effort to add more greens to our meals, I created this dish—and my kids eat it up. The crispy salami is the "hook." —Jennifer Mcnabb, Brentwood, Tennessee

Spicy Almonds

We like to venture out into the mountain range that surrounds our family cabin. These nuts never taste better than when we enjoy them together at the peak of an amazing hike. Almonds are extremely nutritious, and when dressed up with a wonderful blend of spices, they go from ordinary to awesome! —Gina Myers, Spokane, Washington

Air-Fryer Potato Chips

After I received an air fryer for Christmas, I discovered how simple it is to make potato chips in it. Good chips are an essential, crispy side for lunch. —Melissa Obernesser, Utica, New York

Lemon Mushroom Chicken

There's a lot of flavor in this dish. The best part? It doesn't seem light at all! —Carrie Palmquist, Canova, South Dakota

Mexican-Style Chicken Manicotti

Combining an Italian pasta and Mexican ingredients creates an exceptional dish. This recipe is well liked even in Cajun Country. —Larry Phillips, Shreveport, Louisiana

Banana Blueberry Pancakes

This blueberry pancakes recipe is a favorite in our home. My kids don’t even realize how healthy it is! —Kelly Reinicke, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

The Best Ever Tomato Soup

Creamy, rich and bursting with brightness, this tomato soup recipe is the ultimate sidekick to a grilled cheese sandwich. You can't beat this homemade version of the classic. — Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist

Maple Mustard Chicken

My husband loves this chicken dish. It calls for only five ingredients, and we try to have them all on hand for a delicious and cozy dinner anytime. —Jennifer Seidel, Midland, Michigan

Green Beans Amandine

It's hard to improve on the taste Mother Nature gives to fresh green beans, but Mom has done just that for years using this green beans amandine recipe. I have always thought the crunchy almonds were a super addition. —Brenda DuFresne, Midland, Michigan

Feta Tomato-Basil Fish

I rely on my husband for the main ingredient in this fuss-free dish. He fills our freezer after his summer fishing trip. —Alicia Szeszol, Lindenhurst, Illinois

Contest-Winning Greek Pasta Bake

I've taken this hot dish to potlucks and it's received rave reviews. There's never a morsel left. Best of all, it's a simple, healthy and hearty supper made with ingredients that are easy to find. —Anne Taglienti, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Sweet Carrots

Here's a flavorful way to dress up carrots without a lot of fuss. Simply steam the good-for-you veggies, then season with butter, brown sugar, vinegar and a sprinkling of chives. The carrots are not only colorful, but they taste good, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Chunky Vegetarian Chili

This robust chili teams rice and two types of beans with a variety of colorful vegetables for a hearty meatless meal that's great tasting and good for you. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

This yummy breakfast bowl gives everyone's favorite sandwich a healthy twist. Switch to crunchy peanut butter and sprinkle chopped peanuts over the top if you like the extra crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Vegan Taco Salad

The best salads are made with ingredients that have different textures and complementary flavors. In this vegan taco salad, you'll love the crunch of the tortilla chips with the sweet, crisp lettuce and "meaty" crumble mixture. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hearty Multigrain Pancakes

Oats and whole wheat flour make these tasty pancakes extra hearty. Try them with applesauce spooned on top! —Jeri Tirmenstein, Apache Junction, Arizona

Spaghetti Squash Casserole Bake

Don't be fooled by this recipe—it only looks complicated. long ago, one of our daughters passed it on along with squash from her first garden.—Glenafa Vrchota, Mason City, Iowa

Taco Bowls

When it’s done slow-cooking, this beef shreds like a dream. We make it often, because it’s super easy to customize with fun, fresh and healthy toppings. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, Ohio

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

My son taught me how to make hummus, which is a tasty and healthy alternative to calorie-filled dips. Fresh roasted red bell peppers make it special. —Nancy Watson-Pistole, Shawnee, KS