7 Foolproof Recipes You'll Make Again and Again

By Chef Meg Galvin, Healthy Cooking Expert at SparkPeople.com
Ask a chef which recipes are her favorite, and like a mother, she'll answer, "I love them all equally." This cookbook was like a baby to me and, as a result, it's filled with recipes I love. While each and every one is satisfying and nutritious, here are a dozen I think will become staples in your household. With these recipes, you can take a sneak peek into "The SparkPeople Cookbook."


  1. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken. There's a reason why this is the No. 1 recipe among SparkPeople members. It's tasty, versatile, and easy to make.

  2. Quick Herbed Couscous with Vegetables. You'll have a whole-grain side and two vegetables in less than 15 minutes.



  3. Roasted Root Vegetables. Make two batches at a time and reheat these as omelet fillers, a quick side, or even a salad topper.

  4. Lemon-Herb Roasted Chicken. Roasted chicken is like the little black dress of the kitchen. Use it in soups, on salads, or as a quick meal any day of the week.

  5. Multigrain Rolls. Good for any meal, anytime. Make a couple of batches a month and freeze them. To reheat just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds, or leave them on the counter all day, then warm in a toaster oven.

  6. Baked Lemon Spiced Rice. A versatile whole-grain side that turns into great leftovers. This dish freezes well and is even tasty when it's cold!



  7. Baby Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Toasted Almonds. Ready in no time, it dresses up any meal. (Bulk it up with Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken and Multigrain Rolls.)

    What are some staple recipes in your household? Will you try these?

Reprinted from The SparkPeople Cookbook: Love Your Food, Lose The Weight (c) 2011 by SparkPeople, Inc. Permission granted by Hay House, Inc., New York, NY 10033. Available wherever books are sold.

About the Author: Meg Galvin


SparkPeople Healthy Cooking Expert Meg Galvin is a World Master Chef, culinary instructor, and the author of "The SparkPeople Cookbook: Love Your Food, Lose the Weight." A farmer's daughter and marathon runner, she lives in northern Kentucky with her husband and three teenage sons.