Low calorie recipes

Two peas with turmeric and mint blanches sugar snap and snow peas, then tosses them in a turmeric-lemon butter with fresh mint. Bright spring side dish, gluten-free, ready in 30 minutes.

Italian baked flounder marinated in low-fat Italian dressing, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce, then baked and broiled until golden and crispy at the edges.

Chocolate cannoli cake turns the Italian classic into a layered loaf: butter cake split and filled with a sweet ricotta cannoli cream studded with chocolate chips and dried fruit, then drizzled with chocolate sauce.

Lighter ricotta chocolate mousse made with part-skim ricotta, gelatin, cocoa powder, and chocolate syrup. A 25-minute Weight Watchers-friendly chocolate dessert that skips heavy cream entirely.

Oven-baked sea bream fillets with cherry tomatoes, capers, anchovies, black olives, and white wine. A Mediterranean one-pan fish supper finished under foil and served with crusty bread.

Rice with black beans, corn, plum tomatoes, green chiles, cilantro, and scallions. Low-fat, vegan, and ready in 40 minutes. A Southwestern side that does it all.

Indonesian tofu satés marinated in sweet kecap manis and garlic, skewered, and broiled until the edges catch color. Served with a quick peanut-chili dipping sauce for a vegetarian take on a Southeast Asian street food classic.

Portobello, basil, and tomato sandwich (PBT) on garlic-rubbed grilled sourdough with a lemony mayo spread. A vegetarian take on the BLT with meaty grilled mushrooms instead of bacon.

Fresh garden vegetable pasta tosses spaghetti with a chunky sauce of tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onion, simmered with basil and garlic. A naturally vegan, low-fat dinner that lets summer vegetables shine.

Banana rum sherbet made with yogurt, dark brown sugar, lime juice, nutmeg, and chopped almonds. A tropical frozen dessert churned in a food processor, no ice cream maker needed.

Low-calorie cottage cheese plate with fresh vegetables or tropical fruit, a hard-boiled egg, and rye crisp crackers. A high-protein, no-cook light lunch on a bed of lettuce.

Mandarin orange cornbread with orange extract and canned mandarin slices stirred right into the batter. A sweet, citrusy twist on classic cornbread that bakes in 30 minutes.

Bite-size pepperoni pizza bites made on English muffins with pizza sauce, green pepper, and melted mozzarella. Microwaved in 1 minute for a 5-minute snack.

Smoky charred tomatoes meet tender poached chicken and crisp broccoli in a bright lemon dressing with a kick of chili, creating a protein-packed salad that's light yet satisfying.

Sautéed kale, crimini mushrooms, and green beans with white wine, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, and Parmesan. A low-carb, healthy side dish ready in under 30 minutes.

Carrot soup with North African spices: velvety pureed carrots warmed with cumin, coriander, and ginger, brightened with orange juice, and finished with a swirl of creme fraiche. A vibrant vegetarian bowl.