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Pistachio-Crusted Chicken with Warm Barley Salad

If you’re looking to keep your brain sharp, try one of these healthy dinner recipes. These recipes featureingredients from the MIND diet, an eating plan that focuses specifically on foods that can help reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. From ingredients like whole grains to poultry and more, the MIND diet includes components of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet to help you stay sharp and healthy as you age. Recipes like Two-Pepper Shrimp with Creamy Pecorino Oats and Pistachio-Crusted Chicken with Warm Barley Salad are nutritious, flavorful and ready in 30 minutes.

01of 24Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Quinoa SaladView RecipeThis zesty quinoa salad is delicious all on its own, with some serious Mediterranean flair. Make a double batch for lunches later in the week.

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Salmon with Roasted Red Pepper Quinoa Salad

View Recipe

This zesty quinoa salad is delicious all on its own, with some serious Mediterranean flair. Make a double batch for lunches later in the week.

02of 24Pistachio-Crusted Chicken with Warm Barley SaladView RecipeBarley and pistachios give this healthy chicken recipe a double dose of nutty flavor. For an easy change-up, swap in your favorite whole grain, such as brown rice, farro or quinoa.

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Pistachio-Crusted Chicken with Warm Barley Salad

Barley and pistachios give this healthy chicken recipe a double dose of nutty flavor. For an easy change-up, swap in your favorite whole grain, such as brown rice, farro or quinoa.

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Two-Pepper Shrimp with Creamy Pecorino Oats

04of 24Rainbow Grain Bowl with Cashew Tahini SauceView RecipeThis vibrant bowl is packed with nutrients to keep you full for hours. Look for precooked lentils in the refrigerated section of the produce department.

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Rainbow Grain Bowl with Cashew Tahini Sauce

Rainbow Grain Bowl with Cashew Tahini Sauce

This vibrant bowl is packed with nutrients to keep you full for hours. Look for precooked lentils in the refrigerated section of the produce department.

05of 24Escarole & White Bean Salad with SwordfishView RecipeIn this healthy fish recipe, meaty swordfish gets a dusting of herbs before being pan-seared. Then it’s served on top of a healthy escarole and white bean salad with a lemon-Dijon vinaigrette.

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Escarole & White Bean Salad with Swordfish

In this healthy fish recipe, meaty swordfish gets a dusting of herbs before being pan-seared. Then it’s served on top of a healthy escarole and white bean salad with a lemon-Dijon vinaigrette.

06of 24Chicken Thighs with Couscous & KaleView RecipeOne-pot meals, like this all-in-one chicken thigh, kale and Israeli couscous recipe, are perfect for nights when you want to keep cleanup to a minimum. Look for Israeli couscous–small pearl-shaped pasta made from semolina flour–near other Middle Eastern dry goods in well-stocked supermarkets or specialty-foods stores.

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Chicken Thighs with Couscous & Kale

One-pot meals, like this all-in-one chicken thigh, kale and Israeli couscous recipe, are perfect for nights when you want to keep cleanup to a minimum. Look for Israeli couscous–small pearl-shaped pasta made from semolina flour–near other Middle Eastern dry goods in well-stocked supermarkets or specialty-foods stores.

07of 24Whole-Grain Spaghetti with Italian Turkey Sausage, Arugula & Balsamic Tomato SauceView RecipeTotal happiness in a bowl: pasta, sausage, tomatoes and herbs. The tomatoes get sweet and tender and turn into sauce with the stock and the pasta. Without ever adding any butter, the spaghetti sauce is rich and silky. Adding the herbs at the end gives the dish a fresh pop of color and flavor. This is one healthy pasta recipe we can definitely get behind!

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Whole-Grain Spaghetti with Italian Turkey Sausage, Arugula & Balsamic Tomato Sauce

Total happiness in a bowl: pasta, sausage, tomatoes and herbs. The tomatoes get sweet and tender and turn into sauce with the stock and the pasta. Without ever adding any butter, the spaghetti sauce is rich and silky. Adding the herbs at the end gives the dish a fresh pop of color and flavor. This is one healthy pasta recipe we can definitely get behind!

08of 24Chickpea Coconut CurryView RecipeDera BurresonHere, coconut milk adds creaminess while keeping the dish vegan. Serve over basmati rice or with a side of naan.

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Chickpea Coconut Curry

Dera Burreson

Coconut Curried Chickpeas

Here, coconut milk adds creaminess while keeping the dish vegan. Serve over basmati rice or with a side of naan.

09of 24Poached Cod & Green Beans with PestoView RecipeUsing just one skillet, this easy fish recipe cooks cod right on top of fresh green beans and uses the same pan to make a flavorful sauce. The result is perfectly flaky fish, tender-crisp vegetables, a savory pan sauce and very little cleanup.

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Poached Cod & Green Beans with Pesto

Using just one skillet, this easy fish recipe cooks cod right on top of fresh green beans and uses the same pan to make a flavorful sauce. The result is perfectly flaky fish, tender-crisp vegetables, a savory pan sauce and very little cleanup.

10of 24Chicken & Vegetable Penne with Parsley-Walnut PestoView RecipeHomemade pesto may seem daunting, but in this quick pasta recipe you can make a simple sauce in minutes while the pasta water comes to a boil. You can substitute frozen green beans and cauliflower for fresh; in Step 4, cook the frozen vegetables according to package directions before tossing with the pasta and pesto.

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Chicken & Vegetable Penne with Parsley-Walnut Pesto

Chicken and Vegetable Penne with Parsley-Walnut Pesto

Homemade pesto may seem daunting, but in this quick pasta recipe you can make a simple sauce in minutes while the pasta water comes to a boil. You can substitute frozen green beans and cauliflower for fresh; in Step 4, cook the frozen vegetables according to package directions before tossing with the pasta and pesto.

11of 24Farro White Bean CupsView RecipeThis tasty grain and bean dish is vegan friendly!

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Farro White Bean Cups

This tasty grain and bean dish is vegan friendly!

12of 24Pistachio-&-Halloumi-Crusted HalibutView RecipeThe high melting point of briny halloumi cheese keeps it firm even when you cook it until crispy at high heat. It’s a good choice for combining with nuts and breadcrumbs for the crunchy topping on this fish. Since your oven is already on, make some roasted potatoes to serve alongside.

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Pistachio-&-Halloumi-Crusted Halibut

Pistachio-&-Halloumi-Crusted Halibut

The high melting point of briny halloumi cheese keeps it firm even when you cook it until crispy at high heat. It’s a good choice for combining with nuts and breadcrumbs for the crunchy topping on this fish. Since your oven is already on, make some roasted potatoes to serve alongside.

13of 24Chickpea & Quinoa Grain BowlView RecipeIt seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

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Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl

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It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado and loads of veggies!

14of 24Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & BeansView RecipeTaco night meets baked potato night with this simple recipe for loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with sweet potatoes in place of russets.

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Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans

Taco night meets baked potato night with this simple recipe for loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with sweet potatoes in place of russets.

15of 24Almond-Thyme-Crusted Mahi Mahi with Lemon Chardonnay SauceView RecipeFirm, mild-flavored mahi mahi gets a delicate coating of almonds and bread crumbs and a drizzle of a light white-wine sauce for a main dish that’s quick and a little bit fancy.

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Almond-Thyme-Crusted Mahi Mahi with Lemon Chardonnay Sauce

Firm, mild-flavored mahi mahi gets a delicate coating of almonds and bread crumbs and a drizzle of a light white-wine sauce for a main dish that’s quick and a little bit fancy.

16of 24Vegetarian GumboView RecipeThis flavorful vegan dinner is a veggie version of the Louisiana classic. It’s chock-full of butternut squash, tomatoes, poblano peppers and okra, to name just a few. This vegetarian gumbo is a quick dinner packed with flavor and spice that’s done in only 30 minutes. To make it a meal, serve it with cornbread drizzled with olive oil.

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Vegetarian Gumbo

This flavorful vegan dinner is a veggie version of the Louisiana classic. It’s chock-full of butternut squash, tomatoes, poblano peppers and okra, to name just a few. This vegetarian gumbo is a quick dinner packed with flavor and spice that’s done in only 30 minutes. To make it a meal, serve it with cornbread drizzled with olive oil.

17of 2425-Minute Chicken & Veggie EnchiladasView RecipeThese chicken enchiladas are great for using up any veggies you have lingering in your fridge. Our chicken enchilada recipe calls for zucchini, squash and onion, but you could easily swap in spinach, onions or potatoes.

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25-Minute Chicken & Veggie Enchiladas

veggie enchiladas

These chicken enchiladas are great for using up any veggies you have lingering in your fridge. Our chicken enchilada recipe calls for zucchini, squash and onion, but you could easily swap in spinach, onions or potatoes.

18of 24Chickpea Pasta with Lemony-Parsley PestoView RecipeWe love using chickpea pasta in this quick and easy dinner recipe, but other bean pastas or whole-wheat noodles are just as good with this fresh and zesty pesto sauce.

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Chickpea Pasta with Lemony-Parsley Pesto

We love using chickpea pasta in this quick and easy dinner recipe, but other bean pastas or whole-wheat noodles are just as good with this fresh and zesty pesto sauce.

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Turkey & Bean Soup

20of 24Almond-&-Lemon-Crusted Fish with SpinachView RecipeCoating fish with nuts and baking it is an easy, foolproof way to cook it elegantly. And it is especially nice with a mild white fish like cod or halibut. The spinach turns a little yellowy because it’s cooked with the acidic lemon juice, but what you lose in green color is more than made up for in great flavor.

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Almond-&-Lemon-Crusted Fish with Spinach

Coating fish with nuts and baking it is an easy, foolproof way to cook it elegantly. And it is especially nice with a mild white fish like cod or halibut. The spinach turns a little yellowy because it’s cooked with the acidic lemon juice, but what you lose in green color is more than made up for in great flavor.

21of 24Chicken & Veggie FajitasView RecipeTime to clean out the fridge? These versatile skillet chicken fajitas are designed to work with whatever vegetables you happen to have on hand. The key is to slice all the veggies to approximately the same size so they cook evenly.

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Chicken & Veggie Fajitas

Time to clean out the fridge? These versatile skillet chicken fajitas are designed to work with whatever vegetables you happen to have on hand. The key is to slice all the veggies to approximately the same size so they cook evenly.

22of 24Grilled Salmon and Peaches with Basil-Pistachio GremolataView RecipeGrilling a large salmon fillet is a surefire way to wow guests at the table. It’s also easier than grilling individual fillets and adds a little insurance against overcooking. If you’re nervous about grilling the fish, take heart: You don’t have to flip it, the skin keeps it intact, and even though you’re cooking it over both direct and indirect heat, it stays put on the grill. The skin crisps up beautifully, and the spice rub adds bold notes that pair well with sweet peaches and red onion.

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Grilled Salmon and Peaches with Basil-Pistachio Gremolata

Grilling a large salmon fillet is a surefire way to wow guests at the table. It’s also easier than grilling individual fillets and adds a little insurance against overcooking. If you’re nervous about grilling the fish, take heart: You don’t have to flip it, the skin keeps it intact, and even though you’re cooking it over both direct and indirect heat, it stays put on the grill. The skin crisps up beautifully, and the spice rub adds bold notes that pair well with sweet peaches and red onion.

23of 24Mac & Cheese with CollardsView RecipeDark leafy collards add bold flavor and boost the calcium in this healthy skillet mac and cheese recipe with a crispy topping. If you don’t have collards, kale, Swiss chard and spinach are delicious substitutes.

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Mac & Cheese with Collards

Dark leafy collards add bold flavor and boost the calcium in this healthy skillet mac and cheese recipe with a crispy topping. If you don’t have collards, kale, Swiss chard and spinach are delicious substitutes.

24of 24Arctic Char on a Bed of KaleView RecipeArctic char, related to salmon and trout, is sustainably farmed, making it a “best choice” for the environment. It has a mild flavor and cooks up quickly. We like the taste and texture of lacinato (aka dinosaur) kale in this dish. Serve with mashed potatoes.

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Arctic Char on a Bed of Kale

Arctic char, related to salmon and trout, is sustainably farmed, making it a “best choice” for the environment. It has a mild flavor and cooks up quickly. We like the taste and texture of lacinato (aka dinosaur) kale in this dish. Serve with mashed potatoes.

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