Chili. That’s what sounds good to us right now (it’s been rainy and cold in Austin lately) and that’s what we are focusing on for this edition of “Best Meal of the Week.” Some chili recipes simmer away all day on the stove; others can be tossed together quickly on a weeknight. For this post, we’re providing links to recipes from our website as well as tips and favorite additions from our team members. What’s your best chili made of? Let us know in the comments section below.

Chili Faves

My chili, whether I do a quickie version or an all-day cook, always includes a little bit of ground clove for depth of flavor. I also add some oregano or marjoram, but not too much or it will taste like spaghetti sauce! And I often use beer for some of the liquid.
—Susannah Read the rest of this entry »

With the weather starting to change, we find ourselves craving comfort food around here. Here are some of our best comfort food meals from the last week or so. What comfort meals have you been whipping up? Please share in the comments below.

From Christine, a team member:

My best meal of the week was a new twist on an old favorite. Growing up, I cherished the days when I would come home from school to find the smells of stuffed peppers wafting through the house. Ahh… comfort food. I took this old favorite and mixed up the ingredients to make it a healthier and dare I say more delicious dish!

It’s pretty quick and easy too. Start with the ingredients: 4 large peppers (any color will do), plus 1/2 another pepper for chopping, 1/2 onion, 1 jalapeño, 1 pound ground bison, 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 can diced organic tomatoes, 1/2 can tomato paste, 1/2 cup cooked spinach. Include whatever spices you desire. I prefer garlic, pepper, oregano and basil for this recipe. Read the rest of this entry »

I don’t know about you, but school is back in session and it’s crazy time around here!   This is when “best meal” becomes the fastest meal I can get on the table that meets my personal requirements for keeping my family healthy and strong too!   Share your “best meal” in the comments below.   Remember, “best” is highly subjective: healthy, super quick, inexpensive, fabulously delicious – or a combination of all that and more.

Note: Images are of similar recipes from our website, not specifically the reader’s best meal.
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As regulars of this blog know, we have a popular feature called Best Meals of the Week where readers and team members share our culinary creations. In honor of the kids in our families heading back to school – now or soon, depending on your state! – we thought it’d be fun and helpful to share our Kids’ Best Meals.

We’ve included a few from team members below, and we would really love to hear what your kids eat for breakfast, pack in their lunchbox or gobble down for dinner after a long day of learning! Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for some great ideas for getting a good, simple meal on the table this week? These “Best Meals” from readers and team members are sure to help. Don’t forget to share your “best meal” in the comments below. We’re always inspired by what other people are cooking, right? Remember, “best” is highly subjective: healthy, super quick, inexpensive, fabulously delicious – or a combination of all that and more.

Note: Images are of similar recipes from our website, not specifically the reader’s best meal.

From Hannah, a reader:

My favorite meal this week was a really simple, tasty wrap! First, I sliced a zucchini with a carrot peeler into long, thin strips. Then I chopped up a red bell pepper. I sprinkled both with a little olive oil and crushed garlic and roasted in the toaster oven. Yanked out the zucchini before the red bell pepper, since it cooked much faster. Then I made a wrap with a tortilla. I filled it with the zucchini, red bell pepper, shredded lettuce, crumbled feta, and a handful of cranberries. Then a spritz of vinegar and oil on top. It actually surprised me how good it was!

Here’s another simple wrap recipe for Turkey and Cucumber with Ranch Dressing. Read the rest of this entry »

Summer has officially arrived and just about everyone around here is looking for simple meals that don’t heat up the kitchen…or the cook! Maybe some of the “best meals” below will inspire you. Share your “best” in the comments below. Remember, “best” is highly subjective: healthy, super quick, inexpensive, fabulously delicious – or a combination of all that and more.

From Amanda:

I made WONDERFUL halibut kabobs for my in-laws. Serve with a box of couscous; it is yummy and quick!

2 lb cubed halibut (the seafood guys can cube it for you so you’re ready to go)

1 red pepper, cut into squares

Pineapple chunks, in produce section

Marinade

1/2 cup 365 Organic balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup Wild Oats Apricot preserves

1/4 cup 365 Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Marinate for 4 hours, put on skewers, grill for 7 minutes. Serves 4.

Note: You can also try our Grilled Tuna Kabobs with Peach and Mango Salsa. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m always looking for fresh meal ideas. Some excellent ones have come from this ongoing “Best Meal of the Week” post where we get to help each other figure out what’s good for dinner. Remember, “best” is highly subjective: healthy, super quick, inexpensive, fabulously delicious – or a combination of all that and more. Post your “best” in the comments below.

Here are a few tasty ideas from Whole Foods Market team members.

From Joe:

My best meal of the last few weeks is the traditional shrimp boil. We had one on Mother’s Day, another one two weeks ago at the beach, and yet another one this past weekend for my birthday. Why is it the “best?” Well, first off, it’s utterly delicious. It’s festive, summery and an alternative to grilling. It’s cheap, since the only expensive part is the shrimp; the rest is just veggies and spices. It’s healthy – low fat and veggie-packed, really just shrimp and veggies cooked in water. It’s adaptable – you can throw in or leave out ingredients as you like, choose sausages based on preference, etc. And it’s easy – instructions are basically “Boil water. Dump in stuff. Serve.” It’s my new favorite summer meal. Read the rest of this entry »

With the change of the season, which brings a change in the fresh produce available, I’ve been dusting off recipes from last spring. I bet you have too! So what “best meals” have you had lately? I need some inspiration!

Remember, “best” is highly subjective: healthy, super quick, inexpensive, fabulously delicious – or a combination of all that and more. Post your “best” in the comments below.

My fellow teammates said some of their faves have been Gazpacho (Whole Foods Market Cookbook version), Chicken Lo Mein with Whole Wheat Pasta and Red Cabbage and “the first basil of the season from my own garden minced with a little fresh garlic and spread on a veggie burger with goat cheese mozzarella and fresh tomato on a whole wheat bun.” Yummy!

Want more detailed recipe ideas? Try these:

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Let’s keep those ideas coming on your Best Meal of the Week. You can check out our archived posts with lots of great ideas.

Remember, “best” is highly subjective: healthy, super quick, inexpensive, fabulously delicious – or a combination of all that and more. Here are a few featured Best Meal ideas to get those creative juices flowing. Post your “best” in the comments below.

From Cindy, a reader:

For a super quick and easy meal, I like baked quesadillas. Simply take whole wheat tortillas put shredded cheese of your choice on half of each tortilla, include small amounts of other ingredients like black beans, chicken, shrimp, caramelized onions, red peppers or jalapeños. You can use whatever you have as leftovers that sounds good. Just keep it to small amounts so you don’t over power the tortilla. Fold the tortilla in half and place on a cookie sheet. Place in oven at 350°F until cheese is melted and tortilla is slightly golden. Top with sour cream and salsa. Using low fat cheese makes this a very healthy dish.

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Here’s how this works: post your Best Meal of the Week in the comment section below so others can share in the scrumptiousness of your culinary genius. Remember, “best” is highly subjective: healthy, super quick, inexpensive, fabulously delicious – or a combination of all that and more. We’re archiving all of the “Best Meal” posts so you can cruise through them whenever you are looking for some awesome ideas. Here are a few that struck a chord from last time around.

From Joyce, a reader:

It was one of those evenings where it’s 7pm and no idea what’s for dinner. My 17 year old son and I created a fantastic, tasty, inexpensive, beautiful dinner in 20 minutes! Here it is: store bought cheese tortellini with swiss chard (the red chard made it beautiful). We boiled the tortellini for less time than the instructions say, about 4 to 5 minutes. At the same time, we made a chiffonade of the swiss chard and sautéed it in olive oil with garlic, thinly sliced onion, salt and pepper. Added the drained tortellini along with freshly grated parmigiano reggiano, tossed and sautéed another minute or so. Served with freshly baked french bread (store bought refrigerated dough, which we popped in the oven first). He wasn’t even hungry and he had 2 helpings, there were no leftovers! We’ll be making this often.

For a recipe along these lines, try our Grilled Vegetables with Cheese Tortellini. Read the rest of this entry »