Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian Season 2 Episode 1 Healthy Helpings

In the first episode of the second season of Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian, titled "Healthy Helpings," Melissa sets out to prove that healthy eating doesn't have to be expensive or boring. She showcases four delicious and nutritious dishes, all accomplished on a tight budget.

The episode kicks off with a crunchy kale salad with apples, almonds, and Parmesan cheese, which Melissa claims is a nutritional powerhouse and a budget-friendly alternative to more expensive greens like arugula or spinach. She walks viewers through the preparation of the salad, emphasizing the importance of massaging the kale with lemon juice and olive oil in order to soften the leaves and make them more palatable. The finished product is a refreshing and satisfying combination of sweet and savory flavors, sure to please even the most skeptical of kale eaters.

Next up is Melissa's take on a traditional Greek dish: moussaka. Instead of the typical layers of fried eggplant and fatty ground beef, Melissa lightens up this classic by substituting roasted zucchini for the eggplant and using lean ground turkey as the protein. She also adds a layer of creamy ricotta cheese, which she claims gives the dish a decadent texture without the added calories or cost of traditional bechamel sauce. With a sprinkle of feta cheese on top, the moussaka is a hearty and flavorful meal that won't break the bank.

For her third dish, Melissa demonstrates how to make a simple and satisfying black bean and sweet potato soup. She starts by roasting the sweet potatoes, which she explains is the key to unlocking their natural sweetness and depth of flavor. From there, it's just a matter of sauteing some onions and garlic, adding a can of black beans and some chicken broth, and simmering everything together until it's thick and fragrant. Melissa tops off the soup with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and some fresh cilantro, resulting in a creamy and filling bowl of soup that's perfect for a cold winter's day.

Finally, Melissa finishes off the episode with a showstopper: a chocolate avocado mousse. She explains that avocados are a great source of healthy fats and fiber, and that they also happen to make a luscious and creamy base for a decadent dessert. She blends avocado, melted dark chocolate, almond milk, vanilla, and a touch of honey together until smooth and silky, and then chills the mixture in the fridge until it's set. The resulting mousse is rich and chocolatey, with a velvety texture that's sure to impress anyone who tries it.

Throughout the episode, Melissa emphasizes the importance of affordable and accessible ingredients, smart substitutions, and making the most of what you have in your pantry and fridge. She proves that eating healthy doesn't have to be a chore or a drain on your wallet, and that with a little bit of creativity and know-how, anyone can whip up a delicious and nutritious meal without breaking the bank.