Category Archives: Smart Cooking

Potato Salad Traditional potato salad recipes are typically rich in mayonnaise and dressing, which makes them yummy but also heavy. Here is a lighter alternative. ♥ Replace mayonnaise with fat-free yogurt Makes 6 servings Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds small red […] Read more »

Corn Bread This is a standard cornbread recipe. You can spice it up by adding soaked bacon bits to the batter for a “southern” flavor, or stir in diced Anaheim chilies and a little grated cheddar cheese for a more […] Read more »

Greek Salad This salad is commonly heavy on cheese and olives, but not on greens. For better nutritional value, you may consider this lighter version. ♥ Use half the amount of cheese and olives. ♥ Reduce the quantity of dressing. […] Read more »

Caesar Salad A classic Caesar dressing that is lower in fat and sodium. ♥ Replace eggs and most of the oil with low fat mayonnaise. ♥ Add low fat buttermilk to thin consistency. ♥ Instead of tossing Parmesan with the salad, […] Read more »

Salsa Making salsa from fresh ingredients, rather than using a processed product, can help to cut down on sodium. It also tastes better and allows you to control the amount of spice to suit your palate. I recommend Roma tomatoes […] Read more »

Fresh Fruit Syrup Summer-sweet, fresh-picked and high in vitamins and antioxidants, seasonal berries make an excellent syrup for French toast, waffles, and pancakes. Makes 2 to 3 servings Ingredients: 2 cups fresh strawberries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or blackberries work best), or thawed frozen unsweetened berries 1 […] Read more »

Blackeyed Pea Salad This simple but colorful dish can be served on a bed of lettuce as a salad or as a side dish with a chicken or fish entrée. ♥ Reduce the amount of oil in salad dressing. Makes […] Read more »

Cream of Tomato Soup Traditional comfort food with a new twist. ♥ Replace cream with a low fat béchamel sauce. Makes 6 servings Ingredients: 3 cups milk, low fat 1/2 medium yellow onion, coarsely chopped 1 clove garlic, finely chopped […] Read more »

Vegetable Soup Fresh seasonal vegetables and rich stock produce full flavors. ♥ Smoke or grill vegetables to add flavor, rather than smoked meats. ♥ Use low sodium and fat-free broths, preferably homemade. Makes 10 servings Ingredients: 1 medium onion, sliced […] Read more »