74 low spring recipes

Velvety cold curried carrot soup with coconut milk, ginger, and lime, topped with crisp shrimp. A showstopping chilled soup starter that's worth every minute of chill time.

Red potato salad with a tangy grainy mustard and yogurt dressing, scallions, celery, and black olives. Low-fat, mayo-free, and great served warm or cold.

Fettuccine with prosciutto, peas, carrots, and fresh tomato tossed in a light chicken broth sauce with Parmesan. A quick, lighter pasta dinner ready in 15 minutes.

Vegetarian garbanzo bean burgers spiced with cumin, coriander, and chili powder, bound with cottage cheese and wheat germ. Served in whole wheat pita with tomato, sprouts, and yogurt.

Low-calorie eggplant mozzarella casserole layered with cottage cheese instead of ricotta, mushroom-enhanced spaghetti sauce, and melted mozzarella. Light and satisfying.

Potato-tomato bisque with rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes, corn, celery, and thyme in a half-pureed base thickened naturally with blended potatoes and low-fat milk. A creamy, low-fat soup with concentrated tomato flavor.

Slightly Italian crockpot chicken: slow-cooked chicken breasts with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and Italian dressing sauce thickened with tapioca. Set-and-forget weeknight dinner for four.

Tuscan tuna salad with kidney beans, olives, tomatoes, and a zesty picante-Italian dressing served over fresh spinach. A no-cook, protein-packed lunch ready in 20 minutes flat.

Low-fat open-faced vegetable sandwiches on whole wheat toast with a cottage cheese, mushroom, and sprout spread topped with melted low-fat cheese. A vegetarian lunch under 100 calories.

A lighter take on classic potato salad using low-fat cottage cheese and just a touch of mayo. Packed with celery, green pepper, pimento, and olives for a single-serving side that's full of crunch.

Twice-baked stuffed potato loaded with cottage cheese, cheddar, sunflower seeds, green pepper, carrots, and scallions. A lean, vegetable-packed baked potato made in the microwave.

Whole wheat herb bread with cottage cheese, scallions, dill, and V8 juice: soft yeast loaves enriched with eggs, kneaded until elastic, and baked until golden hollow-sounding.

Garden turkey and brown rice salad with toasted wheat germ, celery, carrots, and a light Italian-lemon dressing. A healthy no-cook meal salad ready in 10 minutes.

Quick chicken and walnut stir-fry with mushrooms, red bell pepper, and a glossy oyster-soy sauce. Light, fast, and full of crunch.

Fresh mixed greens layered with buttery avocado, salty feta, Spanish olives, and crisp vegetables for a fast Mediterranean-style bowl.

Christmas vegetable salad mold: a savory gelatin holiday side built with chicken broth, yogurt, green peppers, radishes, dill, and scallions. Retro festive table presentation, diabetic-friendly.