They’re what gives rye bread its classic flavor, but you can do so much more with this robust spice.
Caraway Basics
This member of the parsley family has a pungent aroma and flavor, nutty and warm with a hint of anise. This ancient slivered, black seed is a common element in Austrian and German cooking.
Available in both whole and ground seeds, whole seeds have a potent flavor and aroma. If a recipe calls for ground seeds, grind up just before using for best results.
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Everyone’s buzzing about cauliflower these days. It’s simple, tasty and apparently very trendy; we love that this cruciferous veggie is getting a chance to shine!
Healthy Attributes
Low in calories (25 per cup) but high in nutrients (fiber and vitamins C, K and B6), cauliflower also boasts various antioxidants, including those that may help prevent certain types of cancer.
Cauliflower is unique because has the ability to morph into many different forms. When it’s mashed, pureed, roasted or boiled – the texture and flavor completely change.
White is the most widely available variety, but you may also be able to find green, purple and orange versions at your local famers’ market.
Mains
Mahi Mahi With Cauliflower
Sicilian Cauliflower Pasta
Shepherd’s Pie
No-Bake Macaroni and Cheese
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Forget about getting tipsy – that’s not the point here. Cooking with a little liquor can be a healthy and tasty way to add a splash of depth, flavor and excitement to your recipes.
Flavor Boost
Whether it’s beer, sake, rum or Cabernet, using alcoholic beverages in cooking can act as a flavor enhancer. It can also be used to tenderize meat in marinades or concentrate flavor when simmered down into sauces.
What’s even more fun about cooking with alcohol is how versatile it can be. Beer can make a moist bread or add killer flavor to a fish taco. Hard liquor like vodka or rum can jazz up pasta sauces or be the finishing touch in a glaze for grilled or roasted meats.
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Relieve your dinnertime stress by making a slow-cooker meal. Toss the ingredients in this easy-to-use countertop appliance, press the button, and enjoy a delicious meal a few hours later. Eating healthier couldn’t be any simpler!
Soups
A great dinner can be as simple as a warming soup and salad. Pair one of these on these delicious soups with a homemade salad using whatever veggies are in your refrigerator.
Pork Dishes
Lean cuts of pork are brimming with energy-boosting B-vitamins—just one of the reasons pork made our top-5 list of energy-boosting foods.
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Mexican is quite possibly my favorite type of food. It’s the cuisine I crave most often. Unfortunately while it’s loaded with flavor, it’s typically packed with calories too. So the last time my craving for tostadas hit, I opted for a healthy variation.
Where do you get bold flavor without all of the fat? A zesty marinade of lime, garlic and chipotle peppers give Grilled Chicken Tostadas al Carbon their kick. Instead of frying the tortilla (as restaurants usually do), the chefs in the Food Network Kitchens toss it on the grill for a delightfully smoky taste. Add bright, bold toppings to the citrusy chicken and the fiesta really gets going.
The tomatillos bring a robust tang to the plate. After being charred on the grill, all that’s needed is a rough chop, a splash of oil and a pinch of salt. Throw on some shredded lettuce for body, diced onions for extra pow, and queso fresco, because a little bit of cheese is always a good thing.
The next time you’re searching for new chicken recipe, look no further. This lightened-up tostada comes in at just 365.5 calories per serving and will leave you completely satisfied. It’s so tasty, you won’t be missing the guacamole.
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Casseroles are perfect when temps dips below freezing, and they’re convenient too — everything’s all in one dish. Whether you like them for breakfast, lunch or dinner, warm up to any of these lighter casseroles — each has 500 calories or less.
Breakfast Casseroles
Weekends are a good time to whip up a breakfast casserole. An egg dish or a French toast bake will help start your day off right.
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Think you’re too busy to make dinner a healthy dinner at home? Think again. These recipes are all ready in under 20 minutes; they’re simple enough to throw together on a busy weeknight, but fancy enough to serve to company.
20-Minute Shrimp and Couscous With Hummus-Yogurt Sauce: This speedy shrimp dish gets you whole grains, protein, vegetables and fruit all ready to go in 5 minutes. Pro tip: Prep the couscous while the shrimp broils.
Pasta Puttanesca: While the whole-wheat spaghetti is boiling, put together a quick tomato sauce and get this classic Italian-style pasta dish on the table in less time than it takes to watch the evening news.
Whole-Wheat Spaghetti With Lemon, Basil and Salmon: Giada makes a complete meal — whole-wheat pasta with salmon and spinach — in just a few minutes by multi-tasking in the kitchen: the salmon cooks while the pasta is boiling.
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Mix up your snack routine with these fancy and fun low-snacks. Enjoy!
1. Roasted Sweet Potato with Salsa (92 calories)- Top half a medium baked skin-on sweet potato (51 calories) with 1/4 cup salsa (21 calories) and 2 teaspoons sour cream (20 calories).
2. Graprefruit Brulee (90 calories)- Sprinkle 1/2 a medium grapefruit (60 calories) with 2 teaspoons of turbinado sugar (30 calories) and broil until golden. (above, from Food Network Magazine)
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When fresh tomatoes aren’t in season, turn to canned as a healthy alternative. Check out these 12 ways to incorporate canned tomatoes into recipes.
Health Benefits
Canned tomatoes are low in calories and brimming with fiber, iron, and vitamins B6 and C. They’re also an excellent source of lycopene, an antioxidant that can help lower the risk of heart disease, cancer and macular degeneration (an eye disease that occurs in older folks).
When purchasing canned tomatoes, look for “no added salt” versions—you can always add salt at the end if the dish needs it. For those worried about BPA, companies like Eden Foods sell BPA-free canned tomatoes.
Chicken Parmesan
Using no-salt added crushed tomatoes keeps sodium at bay in this lightened version of an Italian classic.
Recipe: Lightened Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan (above)
Enchiladas
Tyler uses canned stewed tomatoes to make the delicious filling in his chicken enchiladas.
Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas
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