7,057 light recipes

Pepper poached pears simmer in white wine with black peppercorns, ginger, cinnamon and a whisper of chili heat, then chill in a syrup reduced from the poaching liquid. An elegant, lightly spiced dessert.

Thick-cut pork chops stuffed with a caraway rye bread and mushroom filling, pan-seared golden then finished with a tangy vinegar pan sauce.

Easy asparagus salad with whole canned asparagus spears, sieved hard-boiled egg, and mayonnaise on lettuce. A retro 5-minute side that feels straight out of a 1960s ladies' luncheon.

Soupe de saumon a la creme is a French salmon cream soup made with a homemade fish stock, diced salmon, and whipped cream finished with fresh dill. An elegant, light first course for a dinner party.

Drop dumplings for soup made from butter, egg, flour, and milk, spooned straight into simmering broth where they puff up light and pillowy. An old-fashioned five-ingredient dumpling, ready in about ten minutes.

Sweet and sour meatballs with pineapple chunks, snow peas, and a tangy ginger sauce. Browned beef meatballs tossed in a glossy pineapple-vinegar glaze for a one-skillet dinner.

Pasta with crab sauce: sweet crab meat folded into a light tomato and white wine sauce with shallot and celery, tossed over hot pasta. An elegant seafood pasta that comes together in about half an hour.

Millionaire stuffed shrimp: butterflied jumbo shrimp topped with a lump crabmeat stuffing, then baked and broiled until golden. Southern coastal restaurant classic worth its name.

Orange meringue pie, a sunny twist on lemon meringue with a silky fresh-orange custard, a flaky blind-baked crust, and a cloud of glossy toasted meringue. A splash of grenadine gives the filling its rosy glow.

Strawberry-grape smoothie blends juicy strawberries and sweet grapes into a refreshing, naturally sweet fruit drink. No added sugar needed, just two fruits and a blender, ready in about five minutes. A light, thirst-quenching sip.

Roux-thickened Creole onion soup loaded with golden onions, three cheeses, cayenne, and herbs, topped with seasoned bread cubes. French onion goes full Louisiana.

Cashew chicken made better than takeout: cornstarch-crisped chicken in a glossy hoisin glaze with garlic, green onion, and crunchy cashews over jasmine rice. A 30-minute stir fry.

Madeleines are delicate French shell-shaped sponge cakes, scented here with orange flower water and made from a simple batter of eggs, cake flour and melted butter. Buttery, light, and dusted with powdered sugar.

Buttery spice cookies with crystallized ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Pressed thin and baked until light golden, these make-ahead cookies keep for a week or freeze for a month.

Portuguese fried squid rings in a light egg-white batter that fries up crispy and dry when the oil is hot enough. Lulas Sevilhana are a classic Iberian calamari dish seasoned with lemon juice.

This French style loaf can be made from start to finish in a little over an hour. It's a hearty loaf that is delicious sliced and lightly toasted and served with soups, stews, and salads, with a generous grinding of black pepper