Beef
New York Strip Steak Salad
A 3-ounce serving of the best steak possible is the centerpiece of this large salad. Cook the steak on an indoor, two-sided contact electric grill.
Stovetop Chili
Reduce the sodium by rinsing the beans and using low-salt canned tomatoes.
Fish and Seafood
Enlightened Crab Cakes
These are delicious with a swirl of avocado sauce—avocado mashed with low-fat sour cream and lemon juice.
Fiesta Shrimp
A simple meal for one, quickly prepared in a microwave oven.
Seasoned Salmon for One
Serve with cooked, chopped spinach to which you’ve added low-fat sour cream, cooked instant brown rice, and a bit of butter.
Shrimp Scampi Pizza
A fun variation on traditional pizza toppings, with shrimp, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella.
Desserts
Brownie Kisses
Melted chocolate, chocolate chips, and nuts make a great combo for these cookies.
Carrot-Oatmeal Muffins
These muffins are perfect for breakfast or a snack. They get their crunch from chopped walnuts.
Cherry Swirl Pudding
Each serving contains about 145 calories, 8 grams protein, 9 grams fat, no cholesterol, 24 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams fiber and 100 mg sodium.
Dark Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
You don't have to tell anyone these are homemade, healthy granola bars. Just let your guests enjoy the chewiness of the oats and dense chocolate flavor from the highest-quality dark chocolate you can find.
Peach Berry Crisp
Fresh peaches and blueberries are nestled under a topping flavored with ginger and lemon.
Peach Melba Smoothie for Two
Put peaches, yogurt, ice and all but six raspberries into blender and puree. Serve in tall glasses. Garnish with reserved berries. The smoothie will be thick enough to float them on top. Add fresh mint leaves if you have them.
Quick Apple Crisp
Each contains about 134 calories, 1 gram of protein, 3 grams of fat, no cholesterol, 28 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of fiber and 44 mg of sodium. For more crunch, add 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts, which adds 38 calories, 1 gram of protein, 4 grams of fat, 1 gram of carbohydrate and no cholesterol, fiber or sodium to each serving.
Red, White and Blue Berry Tarts
In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla and confectioner's sugar with a whisk to make no-cook pastry cream. Put mixture on top of graham cracker crumbs. Top with berries.
Strawberry Cheesecake
Chill the cheesecake overnight, then top with fresh strawberries and a drizzle of melted raspberry jam.
Pork and Veal
Ginger Grilled Pork
Marinate pork tenderloin in a mixture of Dijon mustard, soy sauce, garlic and ginger.
Spicy Pork Skewers
Marinate the pork in a spicy tomato sauce, then thread on skewers and broil.
Poultry
Chicken Salad Blues
Each serving contains about 175 calories, 15 grams protein, 10 grams fat (51 percent calories from fat), 46 mg cholesterol, 3.5 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, and 675 mg sodium.
Chicken Soup
Each serving contains about 257 calories, 24 grams protein, 5 grams fat (18 percent calories from fat), 63 mg cholesterol, 30 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, and 195 mg sodium.
Cornish Hens with Ginger Plum Stuffing
Each serving contains about 247 calories, 27 grams protein, 8 grams fat (30 percent calories from fat), 117 mg cholesterol, 14 grams carbohydrate, 6 grams fiber, and 321 mg sodium.
Honey-Herb Chicken
Each serving contains about 149 calories, 27 grams protein, 1.5 grams fat (9 percent calories from fat), 69 mg cholesterol, 5 grams carbohydrate, less than a gram fiber, and 79 mg sodium.
Lime Thyme Chicken
A whole chicken is roasted with Vidalia onions and plum tomatoes, seasoned with lime juice and thyme.
Zesty Grilled Chicken with Thyme
Each serving contains about 133 calories, 27 grams protein, 2 grams fat (14 percent calories from fat), 69 mg cholesterol, 1 gram carbohydrate, less than a gram fiber, and 110 mg sodium.
Sandwiches
Breakfast on the Run
Each serving contains about 137 calories, 10 grams protein, 3 grams fat (20 percent calories from fat), 11 mg cholesterol, 19 grams carbohydrate, 2.5 grams fiber, and 400 mg sodium.
Confetti Wraps
Before rolling, toss thin strips of the ham, turkey, and cheese with the veggies. It should look like confetti!
Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches
Combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in bowl. Dip eggplant slices in egg substitute, then coat generously with the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
French Toast Sandwiches
Make the sandwiches first, then dip them in the egg-milk mixture and cook on a griddle until golden.
Greek Roasted-Vegetable Sandwich
Create four open-faced sandwiches by layering vegetables with a little feta cheese. Return to the oven to melt the cheese and toast the bread.
Lamb Pockets
Ground lamb joins roasted eggplant and feta cheese in these tasty pocket sandwiches.
Soups and Salads
Beet-All Pasta Salad
Mix pasta, spinach, beets, onion and walnuts in a salad bowl. Combine maple syrup, vinegar and olive oil in a small jar and shake well. Pour over salad. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until you're ready to eat.
Black Bean Chili
Each serving contains about 333 calories, 20 grams protein, 2 grams fat (5 percent calories from fat), no cholesterol, 63 grams carbohydrate, 15 grams fiber, and 204 mg sodium.
Cantaloupe Soup
This is a picture-pretty first course for a summer meal. Make in advance and serve chilled.
Chicken Salad Blues
Each serving contains about 175 calories, 15 grams protein, 10 grams fat (51 percent calories from fat), 46 mg cholesterol, 3.5 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, and 675 mg sodium.
Chicken Soup
Each serving contains about 257 calories, 24 grams protein, 5 grams fat (18 percent calories from fat), 63 mg cholesterol, 30 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, and 195 mg sodium.
New World Salmon Florentine
This casserole uses chunks of fresh salmon with lots of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It also has real cheese for flavor.
New York Strip Steak Salad
A 3-ounce serving of the best steak possible is the centerpiece of this large salad. Cook the steak on an indoor, two-sided contact electric grill.
Orange-Walnut Salad
Layer the ingredients in a large salad bowl, then add the dressing and cheese just before serving.
Roasted Winter Squash Soup
Each serving contains about 182 calories, 1 gram protein, 6 grams fat (30 percent calories from fat), 15 mg cholesterol, 27 grams carbohydrate, 3 grams fiber, and 10 mg sodium.
Tuna Salad in the Round
Make a main-meal salad lunch or light dinner for two with a can of tuna and a ring mold, such as a 4-1/2-inch diameter mini-spring-form pan or an empty can with the top and bottom cut out (a 28-ounce can is about 4 inches in diameter).
Vegetarian
All Red and Ready-to-Go Pizza
Put the flat bread spread with the toppings on an oven tray and use the "top brown" setting. It's ready when the cheese bubbles -- three to five minutes.
Blender Bean Dip
Drain and rinse beans and put into blender. Drain tomatoes and add to blender. Add cumin, chili powder and cilantro. Blend to desired consistency. Refrigerate until ready to serve with baked corn chips or toasted whole-wheat pita triangles.
Blueberry Banana Smoothie
Bananas that are getting past ripe work perfectly in smoothies. Peel them, wrap them in plastic, and freeze them.
Cheddar-Vegetable Surprise
Each serving contains about 202 calories, 10 grams protein, 4 grams fat (18 percent calories from fat), 4 mg cholesterol, 33 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams fiber, and 551 mg sodium.
Ciabatta Pizza
Ciabatta, the Italian flat bread popular in panini (toasted sandwiches), makes a handy pizza base. You can reduce the carbs and calories slightly by pulling out some of the soft interior.
Do-It-Yourself Trail Mix
Toss wheat cereal and cashews with raisins, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots.
Fresh Cranberry Applesauce
Peel and core apples. Chop apples and put into a microwave-safe dish with cranberries. Add water. Cover and microwave on high for four minutes. Stir in sugar (or sweetener) and mash with a fork to desired consistency. Serve warm immediately or refrigerate and serve cold.
Fresh Tomato Sauce
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use, or use immediately. To make the dipping sauce, put it in a blender and blend on high about 10 seconds.
Garlic Walnut Sauce
This is a great sauce for meat, fish, fowl, or pasta. You can also use it as a spread for crackers or bread.
Go Swiss with Rosti
Rosti has been called the national dish of German-speaking Switzerland. Rosti is similar to hash browns and is usually topped with cheese.
Mediterranean Vegetable Strata
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. You can prepare this dish in advance, refrigerate it and bake it in the morning.
Oriental Greens
After combining ingredients, cover and chill for two hours before serving.
Pineapple Smoothies
Just three ingredients: pineapple chunks, vanilla yogurt, and ice. Quick and yummy!
Pink Lemonade
Turn your lemonade pink with fresh, ripe strawberries.
Red Rosemary Vinegar
To prepare as a gift, strain the vinegar into pretty bottles. Add a fresh sprig of rosemary to each.
Roasted Asparagus
Roast for 15 to 20 minutes (depending on thickness of asparagus), shaking once to turn spears. Pour on balsamic vinegar and serve hot or at room temperature.
Roasted Vegetables
Roast carrots, turnips, squash, and garlic for about an hour, stirring once or twice.
Spicy Asian Veggie Pasta
Serve this dish hot, at room temperature, or chilled as a side dish—to grilled salmon, for instance.
Stacked Fruit Salad for One
If you use the can as a mold, remove it carefully. Cover loosely and refrigerate, unless you're ready to eat it at once. If you use the ring mold, some juice may leak out during refrigeration. Use a paper towel to dry the plate just before serving.
Tico Stuffed Peppers
Costa Ricans, who call themselves "Ticos," regularly eat rice with beans. This meal is generally lightly seasoned, which allows each diner to add condiments to individual taste.
Tofu Stir-Fry
You can make this dish in a wok or a large frying pan. If you're not feeling vegetarian, you can add shrimp.
Topped Potatoes
Sour cream or butter taste delicious on baked potatoes, but they come with a price: Both contain saturated fat and cholesterol. Here's a healthy, and tasty, alternative topping for your next baked potato.
Vegetable Dip Mix
These ingredients are in the right proportions for one batch of dip mix. For a gift jar, keep adding a round of all five ingredients until you have enough to fill the jar.
Vegetable Tart
Pre-bake the crust, then spoon in the filling and top with shredded cheese.
Vegetarian Chili
Textured vegetable protein makes this dish a hearty vegetarian meal.
Whole-Grain Party Mix
You can make a healthier party mix by using whole-grain cereals, olive oil instead of butter or margarine, and soy nuts or wasabi peas rather than the usual mixed nuts.