1,562 light recipes

Otak otak: Southeast Asian fish mousse with a lemongrass-galangal-chili spice paste and coconut milk, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled. Each packet holds a shrimp inside a fragrant, spiced fish paste.

A lighter (less butter) version of Hollandaise sauce with foolproof directions. This lemony creamy sauce is perfect for serving with any kind of fish.

Hot cakes recipe folds beaten egg whites into a sour-milk batter with melted lard for old-fashioned pancakes that puff tall and tender. Eight pantry ingredients.

Crunchy Waldorf-style salad with crisp apples, sweet grapes, celery, and walnuts in creamy yogurt-sour cream dressing for a lighter take on classic fruit salad.

Gluten-free rice flour pancakes with creamy yogurt and a touch of cornstarch. Silver-dollar size, golden-edged, and tangier than wheat pancakes for a lighter breakfast option.

Tangy yogurt and bright lemon zest blend into soft oatmeal cookies with crisp edges, then get showered with powdered sugar for a lighter twist on classic cookies.

A lighter ranch dressing made creamy with nonfat cottage cheese, low-fat mayo, and buttermilk powder, brightened with fresh dill and shallot. Thick, tangy, and only 19 calories per serving.

Dad's fried meatballs are eight ingredients of pure Italian-American comfort: ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, oregano, parsley, and grated cheese rolled into balls and pan-fried golden. Drop into tomato sauce or eat as is.

Low-fat vegan potato pancakes (latkes) with shredded potato, onion, and oat flour. A lighter take on the Hanukkah classic, pan-fried in a single spray of oil. Ready in 15 minutes.

Juicy turkey cheddar burgers seasoned with sage, thyme, lemon zest, and sauteed garlic onions, with melted cheese stuffed right inside the patty. Grill or broil in 40 minutes for a lighter burger that still oozes with flavor.

Beef tenderloin wrapped in buttered phyllo with a mushroom-shallot duxelles and Madeira sauce. A lighter, flakier alternative to classic beef Wellington.

Roasted tomatillo salsa verde with charred jalapenos, eight cloves of garlic, and fresh cilantro pureed smooth. Bright, tangy, and ready in 30 minutes.

A slow-simmered tomato broth with white wine and clam juice, loaded with catfish chunks and shrimp. Garnished with fresh coriander and lemon. Hearty, soul-warming seafood stew for eight.

Quick beef and cheese burritos with seasoned ground beef, cottage cheese, salsa, and melted mozzarella wrapped in flour tortillas. A lighter take on the classic, ready in 30 minutes.

Skinless chicken braised in dry white wine with mushrooms, carrots, celery, and thyme. A lighter take on French country cooking with a reduced wine sauce. Serves 6.

Breaded chicken breasts baked in tomato sauce with Italian herbs and melted mozzarella. A lighter take on chicken Parmesan using whole wheat crumbs and wheat germ.