Several readers challenged our test kitchen to come up with a tasty, but healthful, revival of a Jewish dish that usually flaunts a pint of sour cream, a pint of cottage cheese, half a stick of butter, 4 eggs and a cup of milk. We took the challenge--lightly.

Makes 12 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 2 hours

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

10 ounces wide egg noodles (8 cups)
2 tablespoons butter
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 cups nonfat cottage cheese
2 cups nonfat plain yogurt
1 cup skim milk
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 cups crushed cornflakes
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water until tender but firm, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and refresh with cold water. Set aside.
3. Melt butter in a small skillet over low heat. Skim off froth and cook until it begins to turn light, nutty brown, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. (Be careful not to burn the butter.) Pour into a small bowl and let cool.
3. Whisk together eggs, egg whites and cornstarch in a large bowl. Mix in cottage cheese, yogurt, milk, sugar, raisins, vanilla, salt and the browned butter. Stir in the cooked noodles and turn into the prepared baking dish. Stir together cornflakes, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the noodle mixture.
4. Bake until browned and set, about 1 hour. (If topping starts to burn, cover with aluminum foil.) Let cool for at least 20 minutes. Cut into squares and serve warm or cold.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 310 calories; 4 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono); 60 mg cholesterol; 57 g carbohydrate; 13 g protein; 1 g fiber; 483 mg sodium; 128 mg potassium.


3 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings

Excellent kugel and very rich. I was able to cut the squares a bit smaller, and was still very satisfied since it was so deceptively rich tasting.

Anonymous