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    Home » MSN

    Mood-Enhancing Dishes: Food That REALLY Makes You Feel Good

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 26, 2024, updated May 22, 2024 - Leave a Comment

    Food has the power to affect not just our taste buds but also our mood. In this article, we'll explore dishes that can genuinely lift your spirits and make you feel good. Discover how the right foods can have a positive impact on your overall well-being, and enjoy some tasty food while you're at it!

    Smoked Salmon Risotto

    Smoked salmon risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Salmon is high in Omega-3, which can help stabilize your mood. And this super easy no-stir Smoked Salmon Risotto is done in just 30 minutes! Loaded with amazing flavors from lemon, asparagus (another food that can help boost your mood!) and cold smoked salmon, and sure to quickly become your go-to dinner party dish. Get the recipe from always use butter.

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    Lemon Pepper Salmon

    Baked lemon pepper salmon.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Spaking of salmon, this is probably the best and easiest salmon version ever - all done with just 3 ingredients and 20 minutes of cooking. Get the recipe from always use butter.

    Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Marry me chicken pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    You might not know this, but carbs - even regular pasta! - can be good for your mood. Not just because of the amazing taste and comforting feel of a warm bowl of pasta, but there is scientific backing for it as well. Pasta is rich in selenium, low levels of which has been linked to low moods. Further, carbohydrates are important for adequate serotonin levels.

    This specific flavor-packed Marry Me Chicken Pasta is quick and done in just 20 minutes. Apart from pasta, it also has chicken - another food high in selenium. Add to that a super creamy sauce with a delicious flavor combo of crème fraîche, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, paprika & oregano - all achieved with pantry staple dried herbs & minimal prep - and you've got yourself a winner!

    Get the recipe: Marry Me Chicken Pasta

    Salmon Stir-fry

    Salmon stir-fry.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Another salmon recipe, this time loaded with broccoli which is also rich in omega-3, as well as folic acid. Low levels of folic acid can cause lower levels of serotonin in the brain, and there's a reason serotonin has been called the "feel good hormone". This quick stir-fry loaded with veggies has a light & citrusy flavor profile you'll love - and is just as good served on its own as with a side of rice. Get the recipe from always use butter.

    Vegetarian Tacos with Black Beans, Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo

    Vegetarian Tacos with Black Beans, Feta Cheese & Pico de Gallo
    Photo Credit: always use butter.

    Feel-good tacos are made with black beans rich in folic acid and served in selenium-rich flour tortillas. Add to that crumbled feta cheese and heaps of homemade pico de Gallo, and you have a quick and easy vegetarian taco recipe that's sure to have you coming back for more!

    Get the recipe

    Smoked Salmon & Spinach Pasta

    Salmon spinach pasta.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    We already know salmon and pasta are good for the mood - now let's welcome spinach to the club. Spinach is rich in folic acid, and adds a nice green bost to this super quick pasta dish you will be coming back to over and over again.

    Get the recipe from always use butter.

    Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Bake

    sun-dried tomato pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cheesy chicken and pasta loaded with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach for a filling comfort food meal that's super easy to make.

    Get the recipe from always use butter.

    Firecracker Salmon

    Firecracker salmon on a teal plate.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Cook this quick Firecracker Salmon in just 15 minutes for a delicious dinner with spicy, tangy sauce and perfectly cooked salmon. This deliciously spicy salmon recipe makes for a quick and easy dinner that will be the star of your table.

    Get the recipe: Firecracker Salmon

    Orange Chicken

    Air fryer orange chicken.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Make Air Fryer Orange Chicken that tastes just like takeout - but healthier, and cheaper! Perfectly air fried chicken is covered in the juiciest orange sauce, all done in under 30 minutes with a few simple steps.

    We already discussed the mood-boosting benefits of chicken, and orange juice is also great for ensuring adequate levels of folic acid.

    Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

    Buffalo chicken quesadillas.

    Two favorites combine to create this cheesy, spicy, goodness. A perfect mid-week treat with mood posting flour tortillas, chicken and spinach. Get the recipe from always use butter: Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

    Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

    Chicken pasta bake.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Lots of chicken and broccoli for a super filling dinner that will be sure to leave you leftovers.

    Get the recipe from always use butter.

    Roasted Beet & Fennel Salad

    Beet & fennel salad.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Beets are another food that's high in folic acid, which can help ensure adequate levels of serotonin. With just 15 minutes of active cooking and a few simple steps you can make this flavor packed beetroot and feta salad. Served a bit warm and loaded with beets, feta cheese, fennel and roasted pine nuts it's a salad that works in all seasons - and for any salad skeptic.

    Get the recipe from always use butter: Beetroot and Feta Salad with Fennel

    Source: WebMD

    12 Ground Beef Dump-and-Bake Dinners for Super Busy Nights

    Company Casserole (Ground Beef Pasta Casserole)
    Photo Credit: neighbor food blog.

    Say goodbye to complicated meal prep and hello to effortless cooking with these delicious dump and bake ground beef recipes. We've gathered a variety of delicious and hassle-free dishes that will save you time in the kitchen. Get ready to enjoy hearty and satisfying meals with minimal effort, making weeknight dinners a breeze!

    Find the whole list here.

    12 Dump-and-Bake Recipes Done in 30 Minutes (Or Less!)

    20 Minute Baked Ravioli Casserole
    Photo Credit: midwest foodie blog.

    Say goodbye to complex prep and hello to easy and satisfying meals with this fantastic roundup of dump and bake recipes that can be done in under 30 minutes. These recipes range from hearty casseroles to creamy pasta dishes and will be the quick-fix recipes that will make your busy days a breeze!

    Find the whole list here.

    Storebought Wins: 10 Foods That Are NOT Better Homemade

    A woman forming dough.
    Photo credit: Ground Picture/Shutterstock.

    A lot of the time we value homemade food much higher than what we get from the store. And in many cases, this is correct - homemade is better. But for some foods, this is definitely not the case. Whether due to the difficulty of making it, lack of access to the right ingredients, or just the homemade version missing that special "something" we get in the storebought version - some foods are just not worth it making at home. Read on for the 10 top foods that are NOT better homemade, as decided by a group of foodies on an internet forum.

    Find the whole list here.

    41 Easy But Fancy Meals You Can Make Tonight!

    A pan full of smoked salmon risotto.
    Photo credit: always use butter.

    Do you want to impress your family or friends with a delicious home-cooked meal tonight? Here you go! We've put together a colelction of 41 exceptional recipes that are perfect for any night of the week. These easy-to-follow recipes use simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, helping you create a satisfying and flavorful meal right in the comfort of your own kitchen - even if you're not a cooking star!

    Find the whole list here.

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    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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    Hi, I'm Emmeline! I love tasty food, but I'm always in a hurry. And I have the quick and easy recipes to prove it!

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