Posts under ‘Healthy Options’

Let’s face it, 2009 melted into 2010 and skinny jeans aren’t going anywhere. So what better way to sizzle (re: fit) into the new year than with an arsenal of healthy recipes that are loaded with tempting tastes and guilt-free flavor.
Check the list below for some of my most popular healthy recipes then slip into [...]

It’s been strangely warm the last couple of days here in New York so I opted to save my line-up of soup and stew recipes and take on a lighter challenge: Winter Panzanella. Panzanella, or Italian bread salad, is a mix of homemade croutons tossed with assorted veggies, oil and vinegar.
I loved the bright colors [...]

I’m not the type of person who turns to food for comfort, so I’ll spare you the Star Jones “food never judged me” speech. But this pizza was undeniably the result of a much needed emotional release. To me, that’s the beauty of cooking - it’s a welcome distraction in my mind, allowing me to [...]

As summer comes to an end, I find myself turning to the last of my “beat the heat” recipes in order to steer clear of preheating ovens and slaving over the stove. My sweet and savory four bean salad is a perfect refreshing side that can be made a day or more in advance of [...]

Toasted bran. Pureed dates. Whole wheat flour. Probably tastes like cardboard, right? Think again! This recipe has actually accomplished the often sought after yet rarely achieved combination of healthy and delicious.
My mom, Noni, adapted this recipe from a pastry served at La Brea Bakery, using pureed dates in place of raisins. But don’t let the [...]

Welcome to my first ever fish fry! This recipe represents a big milestone in my slowly growing culinary repertoire, as it’s the first time I’ve ever attempted to cook fish. And I’m proud to report that with Sandra Lee’s help, it turned out to be a great success.
I stuck to the basics with this recipe [...]

I get a bit nervous when it comes to “lightening up” recipes since I’ve had both successes and (massive) failures in doing so. Most memorably, there was the time I substituted in whole wheat flour for all-purpose when I was making doughnut holes. The result? An all-too enlightening discovery that doughnut batter can actually take on the [...]

Bruschetta is a great appetizer for summer months and can be made with any combination of healthy fruits and vegetables. I’ve topped these garlic-rubbed whole wheat toasts with marinated artichokes, mushrooms and tomatoes. A touch of Parmesan cheese rounds out this flavorful mixture, which is packed full of low fat, low calorie ingredients. Mushrooms provide [...]

Poaching fruit is a great way to infuse flavor without adding fat. Ripe pears stew in vanilla and cinnamon until tender and are then paired with tangy crème frâiche. A drizzle of agave nectar adds a final touch of sweetness to this simple fruit dessert that’s both light on calories and light on your wallet.
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One portobello mushroom has about 30 calories and no fat or cholesterol. The hearty mushrooms are great substitutes for meat and cook up quickly over a grill. Fresh garlic, balsamic vinegar and olive oil season the portobellos while the tomato, basil and mozzarella toppings add Caprese-inspired flavors to the meal. Tuck the ingredients into soft, [...]