Content
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 4 servings: 1/2 of 9-inch pizza each Pizza is one of those foods that I don’t think I could live without. And this recipe is one of the reasons why. It’s got it all—cheesiness, savoriness, freshness, and crispness. It’s grilled which creates mouth-watering smokiness, too. [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 2 servings: 4 wedges each I was inspired at a recent National Mango Board event. So instead of just providing you with a “tasteover”, I’m providing you with a “mangover”! And since it’ll soon be Cinco de Mayo, I went Mexican here, too. Though, please [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 18 side-dish servings: 3/4 cup each Picnic and cookout season is here. So I thought I’d share with you a recipe that’s sure to be popular at casual outdoor parties. It’s simply traditional pasta salad … but a bit more special than your everyday recipe. [...]
©Photographed by Stephanie M. Smith. Visit her Web site www.healthnut.zenfolio.com. (For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 6 servings My fabulous intern, Stephanie Smith, and I came up with this “tasteover” together. We wanted to highlight fresh colorful berries in a comforting dessert. This rasberry-blackberry cobbler is the result. The photo speaks [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 20 servings: 1 slice each My brother, Jim, challenged me to develop a sweet yet good-for-you recipe to enjoy in the morning that has a punch of protein. I love challenges. So voilà … here’s one option for you, my dear brother. The protein in [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 3 servings: 1 banana split each The grilled banana provides an extra special touch in this reinvented banana split. It’s designed to be served as a petite dessert for three. Each person gets one of the flavors—strawberry, chocolate, or almond. Or, if you’re brave, mix-and-match [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 8 servings If you’re a lover of kale like I am, you’re sure to become a lover of this mac and cheese recipe. It’s half kale—so you’ll be able to indulge in this comfort food and feel good about it. And don’t worry … I [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 4 servings: 1 sandwich each Sorry, Philadelphia. I changed your sandwich too much to call this a true Philly cheesesteak. Since I developed and tested the recipe in Brooklyn, my borough is getting the credit for this made-over version. The goal here was simply to [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 16 servings Superbowl party, anyone? Or maybe an Oscar soiree? Whether you’re hosting a gathering or going to one, here’s an app that’ll be gone before the end of the evening. It’s basically a Mexican layer dip with a few new twists. Frankly, I make [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 10 servings My favorite part of making this comforting strata recipe is that you prepare it in the evening, so that all you need to do in the morning is place it in the oven. It’s a perfect entrée for any breakfast or brunch gathering. But [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 2 servings: 3/4 rounded cup each Some people might be surprised to hear that I approve of culinary shortcuts … at least on occasion! However, I am particular about what those quick picks are. For me, it still needs to be 100% natural. One fast [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 4 servings: 1 3/4 cups each I’m a big football buff! And what food goes best with gameday? Chili, of course. I’ve created one that’ll be sure to please every palate. It’s vegan … but you may not want to tell the guys beforehand! You [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 5 servings: 1/4 cup each I’m an appetizer kind of gal. That means sometimes I prefer a plate of tasty bites rather than the actual meal. So here’s a lovely dip that I just whipped up for any appetizer table. So why do dip? Dunking [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 24 servings: 1 bar each My latest cookbook, 1,000 Low-Calorie Recipes (Wiley, October 2012), has hit the shelves! I’m so excited for you to see it. So this “tasteover” comes to you directly from the pages … giving you a sweet eat to tempt your [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 1 serving: 1 cup each I’m firmly in support of food enjoyment. And that means sometimes you’ve just gotta have dessert! So here’s a shake to make when in need of a chocolate fix (or a chocolate-mint fix!)—any time of the year. It seems super [...]
(For larger photo, click on photo, then click again!) Makes 4 servings: 1 sandwich each Though grilling is a most popular in summertime, I find I cookout more during the fall. But I like to mix things up a bit and not stick to the tried and true. Here’s one of those not-so-tried-and-true results. It’s [...]
Makes 4 servings: 1 1/2 cups each Here’s a surprising and scrumptious “fried” rice … and one that you’ve never had. That’s because I just created it. Not only is it vegan, it contains one of fall-time’s favorites: the apple! The apple picks up savoriness and heat when cooked with the onion and Serrano pepper. [...]
Makes 8 servings: 1/4 cup each I’m always looking for mouthwatering ways to include one of my favorite nuts—pistachios or almonds—into cuisine. My most recent pick: pesto mayo! Even just saying those two words makes my mouth water. But I’ll admit I have a bit of a guilt factor when I’m enjoying a sandwich with [...]
Makes 4 servings: 1 1/2 rounded cups each Comfort food isn’t just for wintertime. So here’s some summer comfort for you. Your family and friends will feel they’re getting treated like royalty when served this pasta recipe. That’s because this isn’t just any pasta dish. It’s decadent from a just-right amount of cream. And casaracce [...]
Makes 4 servings: 1 sandwich each Once this was meaty, now it’s just mouthwatering. You don’t need the meat to give this sub full-bodied Italian goodness. You’ll find a vibrant veggie in place of each type of meat. It’s fit for a festive entrée for four. Serve two or three of these attention-grabbing sandwiches at [...]
Makes 24 servings: 1 blondie each I crave salty stuff! But occasionally I simply gotta have a sweet treat—a fresh-baked-from-the-oven one. Of course, it’s not in my nature to simply make anything the way it’s supposed to be prepared. So I transformed traditional peanut butter cookies into non-traditional blondie-like bars. I actually tend to savor bars [...]
Makes 4 servings: 2 cups each Surprisingly, the biggest caloric issue with sesame noodles is often not the sesame oil or the peanut butter … it’s the actual noodles. So here’s how I solve this quandary. Bell peppers basically become part of the noodles to provide fewer calories and bigger flavor. You’ll cook the bell [...]
Makes 6 servings: 1 cup each Potato salad is not Lebanese cuisine. But I was craving potato salad and Lebanese food—which is how this inspired recipe came to be. It’s a truly refreshing twist on the traditionally overly-caloric summertime favorite. This fragrant version is vegan, too. I adore this recipe. I hope you do, too! [...]
Makes 6 servings: about 1 cup each Time for a backyard barbecue? Planning a picnic? You’ll definitely want to whip up a batch—or two or three—of this scrumptious soiree-friendly side. I’ve taken a creamy macaroni salad recipe like my mother used to make, then I went a bit mad with veggies. So now it’s full [...]
Makes 4 servings: 1 1/4 cups each One of my guilty pleasures is pesto sauce. It’s a bit indulgent so I tend not to eat it as much as I’d like to. How about you? Well, to all of you pesto lovers out there, today’s your lucky day. I’ve developed a creamy, calorie-friendlier version of [...]
Makes 4 servings: 1 “steak” each Chicken Parmesan is one of those Italian comfort foods that seems like it might not be overly caloric. But the chicken is usually breaded and fried—which gives the dish a greasy start before anything else is added. The goal here was to create an entrée that was a little [...]
Makes 1 serving: 1 sandwich One of the classic breakfast-on-the-go sandwiches is the McDonald’s Egg McMuffin®. Calorie-wise it’s actually a fine choice for fast food. But if you take a look at the actual ingredients, there are better for you and better tasting ways to savor an egg sandwich. I’ve got one for you! It’s [...]
Makes 6 servings: 2 loaves each I encourage plant-based eating. It’s simply an all-round better way to eat. For those of you who are meat eaters, this doesn’t mean you need to give up meat cold turkey. Just punch up the veggies in place of some beef or pork, for instance. That applies to comforting [...]
Makes 8 servings: 1/4 rounded cup each True confession … one of the snacks that I simply can’t have around me is potato chips and dip. I seriously can’t stop myself! So I made a personal pact that the only time I can eat the tempting duo is at parties—which luckily includes parties that I [...]
Makes 16 servings: 1 slice each My friend Mo sent me an overly decadent recipe to makeover for her husband’s birthday. Of course, she gives me a dessert recipe that seems quite intimidating. (I’m definitely a cook, not a baker!) But going outside my comfort zone often results in very good things. So baker or [...]
Makes 8 servings: 1 burrito each I’m delighted to share one of my very own taste buds’ recipe requests. The request: To create a better-for-you vegetarian burrito with the lusciousness of an authentic stewed beef burrito and with fewer than 500 calories. I’m always up for a challenge … especially when it comes to Mexican [...]
Makes 8 servings: about 1 1/2 cups each There’s no better time for a comforting bowl of soup than smack dab in the middle of winter. I love to make a big batch (like this one is!) and freeze it in individual servings so I can reheat a cup or two to take the chill [...]
Makes 6 servings: 4 cups each When I was back in Ohio for Christmas, my sister, Rebecca, handed me a recipe that she requested I personally make-over for her. Since diabetes runs in our family, she was concerned about the calories—especially the sugar calories—in the salad. (It can always be surprising how many hidden calories [...]
