2,200 light recipes

Crispy bacon bits and melted cheddar coat tender red potatoes roasted until fork-tender. Ranch dressing adds creamy tang to this crowd-pleasing side that feeds a group.

Tiny French cheese pastry sandwiches made with sharp cheddar dough and a melted Swiss cheese filling. Flaky, buttery, and gone in two bites. Makes 46 croutes.

Cream chicken soup with rivels and rice in a rich broth of whole milk, heavy cream, and chicken stock. An old-fashioned Pennsylvania Dutch-style comfort bowl.

White chocolate coconut truffles with shredded coconut, a splash of coconut liqueur, and a creamy white chocolate ganache center. Easy make-ahead holiday candy.

Light peach Bavarian cream dessert made with pureed peaches, peach yogurt, whipped egg whites, and real cream set with gelatin for an airy, no-bake treat.

Cantaloupe balls and blueberries in a fresh mint sugar syrup served as a fruit salad or chilled dessert with whipped cream. A light, refreshing summer fruit dish.

Light curried chicken and mango salad with a honey-lime yogurt dressing. Poached chicken breast and juicy mango cubes on lettuce, ready in 30 minutes. Low-fat and refreshing.

Roasted red potato salad with fresh corn, cucumber, tomato, and a cilantro vinaigrette. No mayo, just olive oil and vinegar for a light summer side.

High-fiber winter garden salad: shredded cabbage, carrots, broccoli, raisins, and sunflower seeds tossed in a curried yogurt and chutney dressing. Crunchy, sweet, lightly spiced.

Low-fat apple bread pudding sweetened with maple syrup instead of refined sugar. Egg whites and skim milk keep it light while apples and raisins add natural sweetness. A guilt-free comfort dessert.

Party lemon bisque is a vintage no-bake chilled dessert: lemon gelatin and partially-frozen sweetened condensed milk whipped into a cloud-light mousse over graham cracker crumbs. Tangy, sweet, and built for a crowd.

Filipino-style sauteed egg noodles (pancit) with pork, shrimp, cabbage, and carrots cooked in chicken broth and soy sauce. Served with fresh lemon slices.

Green tomato frittata with cornmeal-dredged fried green tomato slices set in eggs with scallions and fresh basil. A smart end-of-garden recipe that works for brunch or a light dinner.

Chilled prawn salad with melon balls, strawberries, avocado, and celery in a fresh strawberry-orange dressing. A light, elegant appetizer that's naturally low in fat and ready in 30 minutes with no cooking.

Indian meal muffins, a Pennsylvania Dutch cornmeal muffin made with just 6 ingredients. Quick, tender, and lightly golden. Ready in 30 minutes, yields one dozen.

Use light or low-fat cream cheese to reduce the fat and calories even further than this tasty rich buttercream frosting alternative.