Recipes

If you love decadent, fuggy brownies, but dont want to spend an entire days fat-and-calorie budget on one chocolate treat, put aside your skepticism about the surprising ingredient in this recipe and give it a try. Pured canned beans are the magic ingredient. They replace half of the butter, with canola oil standing in for the remainder. Additional fat-trimming techniques include: substituting cocoa for some of the chocolate, two egg whites for one of the eggs and switching to whole-wheat flour. The result: a brownie with fewer than 100 calories and one-forth of the saturated fat of the traditional recipe. And, the best part: no one will guess that this is a healthy brownie!

It is hard to imagine the holidays without cookies! Sadly, it is hard to find healthy options in the cookie jar. But, here is an exception. These delicate, thin cookies are made with whole grains, contain minimal saturated fat, and (for a cookie) are relatively low in calories-as long as stop after one or two. This simple batter is versatile. Use the recipe as a base and add variety to your holiday treats by trying the variations below.

Nothing beats pesto for a simple and satisfying pasta sauce. Classic pesto is made with basil and pine nuts, but it is a very flexible recipe. You can substitute other herbs and even tender leafy greens, such as spinach and arugula, for basil. Various different types of nuts also work well; walnuts are an easy way to boost omega 3s and antioxidants. The trick to creating a generous-looking portion of pasta without piling on the calories is to stretch the pasta with pasta-like strands of zucchini. 1 oz whole-wheat spaghetti has 100 calories, while 1 oz zucchini has just 5 calories!

There are plenty of good reasons for eating sardines. They are one of the best sources of omega 3s, which are so important for brain and heart health. Sardines also supply calcium and are one of the few foods that are naturally high in Vitamin D. They are considered one of the most sustainable seafood choices, and of course, you cant beat inexpensive canned sardines for convenience. So, stock up and enjoy sardines often. Here are some appealing ways to embellish a humble can of sardines.

This simple yet satisfying brunch or supper dish pairs eggs with a flavorful vegetable ragout. It makes a healthful alternative to traditional egg dishes, which typically include fatty bacon, sausage, cheese, or caloric potatoes. If you would like to make this dish ahead, prepare the ragout the day before and refrigerate. Just before serving time, reheat the stew and drop in the eggs. Or if you are cooking for one or two, you can reserve a portion the vegetable ragout to reheat and finish with eggs on subsequent days.

With Spring around the corner, it's a great time to get outside and re-energize your exercise routine. As you take to the trails to walk, run or bike, tuck one of these bars into your pocket for an energy-boosting treat. They provide slow-burning carbohydrates for refueling your body, as well as protein for muscle repair. The bars are easy to make-they dont even require baking-and taste so much better than any bars you can buy!

Turkey burgers (when made with ground turkey breast) are a healthy alternative to fatty beef burgers, but all too often they turn out dry and flavorless. Our solution is to add grated fresh apple to the lean turkey. Not only does this add moisture to the patties, the apple contributes a delicious sweet-tart flavor. Cider-glazed caramelized onions and a creamy mustard sauce provide the finishing touches to these burgers.

If you are looking for healthier alternatives to traditional meat-centered meals, turn to beans. They are a tasty, inexpensive source of plant protein, which also provide fiber and antioxidants. Wrapping seasoned black beans in a whole-wheat flour tortilla with a little cheese, yogurt and lots of fresh garnishes is an appealing way to prepare them. This recipe comes together in minutes, so it is ideal for a quick weeknight supper. If you are cooking for just one or two, the bean mixture can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated to make subsequent meals.

An enjoyable way to ensure that you are getting benefits of whole grain in your bread is to bake it yourself-at a fraction of the cost of bakery bread. Made with just a few basic ingredients, this dough develops a full wheaty flavor during its long slow rise. The trick to making 100% whole-wheat bread with an appealing moist, airy texture is to start by making a sponge (a loose mixture of flour, yeast and water) the day before baking. In addition, soaking a portion of the remaining whole-wheat flour in water overnight brings out its nutty flavor and helps build structure in the loaf, saving you kneading time.

In the chill of winter, comfort food is especially appealing. Here is an unconventional update of the perennial favorite, macaroni and cheese. Instead of the usual cream sauce, this recipe uses an easy sauce made with frozen squash, an excellent source of beta carotene, and low-fat milk. Surprising! Yes, but it works! Whole-grain fiber boosts fiber, while the delicious sweetness of caramelized onions complements the squash and cheese.