Ellie Krieger

Sweet, earthy beets and tangy, bright citrus are a heavenly pair, but when you toss some cool, crisp fennel into the mix you have a truly memorable trio.

With every new health report and every new must-try recipe, there is another cooking oil conundrum. Some have a high smoke point, while others form potentially unhealthy compounds in the presence of heat. Ellie Krieger, author of Weeknight Wonders, explains how to use five types of oil.

This Mediterranean-inspired salad is delicious proof of how effortless and quick it can be to pull together an elegant, satisfying, healthy meal. It's just a matter of elevating cupboard staples with a few fresh, flavorful, easy-prep ingredients. Here canned white beans and tuna are upgraded with a bright lemon-oregano dressing, served on a bed of crisp radicchio and lettuce and garnished with fresh parsley leaves. Serve it with some good crusty bread for a meal that is simply stunning. I call for olive oil-packed tuna for its decadently rich taste and texture. Enjoy this salad with some crusty whole-grain bread or Parmesan-Herb Flatbread Crackers.

If you have yet to discover the glory of smoked paprika, this is your official invitation. Made from smoked red peppers, it is a key ingredient in Spanish cooking (where it is called pimentón). It imparts a deep ruby color and distinctive smoky flavor and aroma, instantly giving the simplest foods, like eggs, potatoes, or grilled chicken, a huge wow factor. In this dish, it teams up with golden toasted garlic for doubly exciting seasoning for sautéed shrimp and spinach. You can buy smoked paprika in sweet or hot varieties, but I buy the sweet because I figure you can always add some heat if you want it—and I do add a touch here.