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Lose weight with these 5 powerhouse recipes

Here’s a diet that’s about what you do eat, not what you don’t eat

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  Try these ‘SuperFoods’
Jan. 4: Dietitian Wendy Bazilian talks to TODAY’s Al Roker about her new diet book and which foods will help shed those pounds.

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  Recipes from TODAY
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TODAY
updated 11:18 a.m. ET Jan. 4, 2008

Want to lose weight without sacrificing great taste? The authors of “The SuperFoods Rx Diet” give a delicious menu that promotes healthy weight loss by utilizing powerful micronutrients — such as vitamins, minerals, bioflavonoids, fiber, antioxidants and other phytochemicals — to burn those clingy calories.

Chicken salad with thyme, walnuts and grapes
Wendy Bazilian

Serves 1; serving size: 2 1/4 cups

This refreshing salad has a surprise sweetness from the grapes and orange juice along with a wonderful crunch from the walnuts. Prep time: 5 minutes; total time: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

3 ounces boneless skinless chicken breast, poached, cooled and diced
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper (3 good cranks of the pepper grinder)
1/4 cup seedless purple grapes, sliced in half (about 10 grapes)
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/3 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/8–1/4 cup yogurt cheese or approx. 2–3 tablespoons plain low-fat or nonfat yogurt
2 cups baby spinach

Recipe continues below ↓
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DIRECTIONS

Mix the chicken, salt, pepper, grapes, walnuts, thyme, orange juice and yogurt. Blend well.

Serve over baby spinach.

Alternative preparation method: For chicken salad with mango, soy nuts, cilantro and lime, do not add the grapes, walnuts and thyme. Instead substitute 2 tablespoons roasted soy nuts, 1/4 cup diced mango, 1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice.

Tuna variation: Substitute 3 ounces of canned, drained low-sodium tuna in spring water for the 3 ounces of cooked chicken.

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Asian stuffed salmon fillet
Wendy Bazilian

Serves 2; serving size: 3 ounces salmon and 1 1/4 cups vegetables

This dish can be baked or roasted in the oven or cooked on your grill. Prep time: 15 minutes; cook time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 teaspoon canola oil
1 baby bok choy, sliced into thin strips (rounds)
1 cup baby spinach
1/2 cup fresh bean sprouts
1/2 cup matchstick carrots (or 7–8 baby carrots cut in half or quarters lengthwise)
1 scallion, sliced thinly (using about 2/3 of the scallion)
1” fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated*
1 clove garlic, finely minced
2 teaspoons light soy sauce
7 ounces salmon fillet, skin removed
2 teaspoons honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Heat the canola oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add all the vegetables, ginger and garlic.

Cook until the vegetables are tender but firm, approximately 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more.

Tear off 2 pieces of aluminum foil large enough to wrap one portion of salmon and seal it tightly. Cut the salmon through the center lengthwise so that you have 2 thinner slices. Lay 1 slice on the aluminum foil, top with half the vegetables and then cover with the other slice of salmon. Repeat this for the second portion.

In a small bowl, mix the honey and mustard. Brush the fish with the honey mustard. Wrap the fish in foil. Bake until the fish is flaky, approximately 20 minutes.

Variation: Use the vegetable mixture to stuff thin slices of turkey breast and cook as this recipe directs.

TIPS

Tip: Using a knife, after peeling, score your ginger with a line at approximately 1 inch before grating and then easily grate on box back to the mark.

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Sweet potato and asparagus with orange glaze
Wendy Bazilian

Serves 2; serving size: 2 cups

This dish is lovely when served alongside a piece of grilled wild salmon, tuna, turkey breast or chicken. Prep time: 5 minutes; cook time: 14 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup fresh orange juice
Zest of 1 orange
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (from 1” of fresh ginger)
2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 medium sweet potato (approximately 5” in length and 2” in diameter)
1 pound fresh asparagus, approximately 20 (1/2” diameter) spears or a 5” round bunch, washed, trimmed and cut into thirds

DIRECTIONS

In a small bowl, combine the orange juice, zest, ginger and soy sauce. Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside.

Microwave the sweet potato until a fork can be inserted easily into the center. Depending on your microwave, this will take from 4 to 8 minutes. Slice into approximately 1/4”-thick slices. You should have around 1 1/2 cups.

Place the asparagus and potato in a shallow ovenproof dish that has been greased with cooking spray for 2 seconds. Cover with the sauce and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, turning occasionally, if possible.

Preheat the broiler. Broil 5 to 6 minutes, turning once halfway through, or until the asparagus is tender, being careful not to overcook. Serve immediately.

Variation: Glaze can be used on any vegetable. It is particularly good with sliced zucchini and yellow squash or partially cooked acorn squash rings.

TIPS

Tip: The sweet potato can also be steamed for 12 to 13 minutes if you prefer.

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