Pound cake got its name from the original formulation: a pound each of sugar, flour, butter and eggs. Just the thought of it is enough to raise your cholesterol. Our version calls for half whole-wheat flour, less sugar, a modest amount of butter and loses quite a few egg yolks. To keep it rich we moisten the cake with reduced-fat cream cheese and buttermilk. It is every bit as delicious as the original, with only a third of the calories and fat.
If you like spinach-cheese pie, try these simple but elegant-looking little spinach cakes.
Diced eggplant turns tender and tasty sautéed with garlic and olive oil. Toss with fresh plum tomatoes, green olives and capers and you have a simple light summer sauce. We like it over angel hair pasta, but any type of pasta will work. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a mixed green salad.
These bean burgers will even please carnivores. The cornmeal coating gives a pleasant crunch and smoked paprika, cumin, cilantro and guacamole add Southwestern flavor.
In this zippy pork stir-fry we cut the bok choy into long, thin strips to mimic the long noodles. We like Japanese soba noodles because they are made with buckwheat, which gives them a nutty flavor and a boost of fiber. You can also use mild-flavored rice noodles or whole-wheat spaghetti. Serve with sliced cucumbers dressed with rice-wine vinegar and a glass of sauvignon blanc.
To make traditional cordon bleu, you layer prosciutto (or other ham) and cheese in between thin slices of chicken or veal, then bread and sauté the whole stack. This quick, easy version keeps the flavors the same, but skips the fussy layering and breading steps. Serve with: Delicata squash and broccoli.
Kids will love dipping bananas in melted chocolate and rolling them in coconut to make this tasty frozen treat.
According to recent data, Americans have reduced their fat intake from 41 to 34 percent of calories since the 1950s. However, our total calorie intake has actually increased, contributing to rising levels of obesity and its associated risks. Staying physically active, keeping portion sizes under control and selecting a good balance of foods that are naturally low in fat are a few ways to control calorie intake. Although we can’t help you get to the gym, we can give you some ideas for easy and delicious recipes that are lower in calories—350 calories or less for main dishes and 250 calories or less for side dishes and desserts. Feel free to mix and match and enjoy the feeling of being on the road to better health.