918 light recipes

Light carrot cake made with applesauce instead of oil and egg whites instead of whole eggs, studded with raisins and drizzled with a fresh orange glaze. Lower in fat but still full of flavor.

Crisp, crumbly Swedish coconut cookies leavened with baker's ammonia for an ultra-light snap. Rolled into walnut-sized balls and baked until golden. Makes 4 dozen buttery, coconut-flecked treats in under an hour.

No-bake raspberry chiffon pie in a cinnamon vanilla wafer crust with whipped cream, gelatin-set raspberry filling, and lemon zest. A light, creamy frozen raspberry dessert that chills to a mousse-like texture.

Brown rice stuffing with mixed dried fruit, sautéed onions, celery, and a trio of herbs. A hearty, naturally gluten-free alternative to bread stuffing that feeds a holiday crowd with ease.

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.

Tuscan-style white bean and potato pie: garlic-pureed navy beans topped with caramelized onions, potatoes, and Parmesan, baked into a golden rustic torta. Vegetarian Italian main dish.

A light Chinese chicken noodle salad with angel hair pasta, shredded chicken breast, crisp snow peas, cucumber, and red bell pepper tossed in a teriyaki-sesame-rice vinegar dressing. Served cold or at room temperature.

Honey nugget cookies are chewy, oat-packed drop cookies sweetened with honey and brown sugar, spiced with cinnamon. A vintage church-cookbook recipe that bakes up tender on the inside, lightly crisp at the edges.

The name of these triple chocolate cookies says it all- or almost. Serve them only to guests who you don't want to have leave- ever!

A British-style crumble cake with a buttery almond and cinnamon base, a layer of stewed blackberries and apples, and a golden crumble topping. Warm, fruity, and brilliant served with cream or custard.

Vegetarian bean and corn casserole topped with sliced zucchini and a cornmeal custard, loaded with Monterey Jack cheese and green chilies. One-dish Southwestern comfort.

A naturally gluten-free almond cake made with whole boiled oranges, pith and all, served with a luscious marmalade cheesecake cream. Moist, fragrant, and utterly irresistible.

Turkey casserole baked in a mashed potato shell with mixed vegetables, cream of mushroom soup, and melted cheddar. A low-fat way to use leftover turkey.

Turkey pumpkin chili with great northern beans, kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and canned pumpkin. A lean, high-fiber fall chili loaded with cumin, oregano, and chili powder.

Chocolate PB jeebies, intensely fudgy chocolate cookies loaded with chocolate and peanut butter chips, served with a warm chocolate ganache for dunking. A double-chocolate-peanut-butter treat made for dipping.

Boasting 3 kinds of beans and rich, authentic south-of-the- border flavor, this meatless chili makes a satisfying light main dish year 'round and a super side dish for favorite grill-top fare, as well.