242 plain recipes

Creamy cucumber dressing with nonfat yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and white pepper. Light, tangy, and cool. A falafel-friendly dressing that doubles as a fresh salad topper.

Broiled orange roughy fillets glazed with a creamy salsa sauce made from light mayo, yogurt, lime juice, and cayenne. Two coats build a golden, tangy crust. Lighter fish dinner in 30 minutes.

Toasted pearl barley pilaf simmered in chicken broth with fresh basil, green onions, and a pinch of nutmeg. A nutty, herbaceous whole grain side dish ready in one hour.

Strawberry yogurt cooler blended with fresh strawberries, nonfat yogurt, and fizzy club soda. A light, no-sugar-added smoothie that's diabetic-friendly and refreshing.

Cold cucumber mint soup blended with yogurt, chicken broth, and fresh mint then chilled until refreshing. A light, creamy no-cook summer soup garnished with radishes and diced cucumber.

Pineapple chiffon cake layered with chocolate cookies and a light-as-air gelatin mousse. A no-bake, low-calorie dessert with bright tropical flavor and lemon zing.

Crispy broiled chicken double-dredges pounded chicken breast in egg white and garlic-rosemary breadcrumbs, then broils 10 minutes for a low-fat fried chicken substitute that still crackles.

Polenta pie with a cornmeal crust, pizza sauce, porcini mushrooms, and homemade yogurt cheese topped with capers and parmesan. A low-fat vegetarian take on deep-dish pizza.

Baked scallops in white Zinfandel wine with garlic, onions, and crumbled cracker topping. An elegant yet effortless seafood dish ready in just 15 minutes from start to finish.

Moong dal pounded into a paste with red curry and kaffir lime, shaped into walnut-sized balls and fried golden. Served with a sweet rice vinegar dipping sauce. A traditional Thai snack.

No-bake party mix with chocolate candies, pretzel sticks, cheese crackers, and raisins. Five minutes, four ingredients, 8 cups of sweet-salty snacking for any crowd.

Try something different for dessert in this Thanksgiving, this low fat and low calorie pumpkin pudding is a good pick for a light dessert.

Cucumber yogurt sauce with shredded cucumber, dill, scallions, and a splash of vinegar. A cool, tangy tzatziki-style dip that pairs with grilled meats, pita, or appetizers.

Low-fat spiced bran muffins with molasses, honey, ginger, cloves, golden raisins, and walnuts. Made with egg whites and nonfat yogurt instead of butter and whole eggs.

Simple 3-ingredient breakfast parfait with cottage cheese or yogurt, fresh fruit, and wheat germ. A 5-minute high-protein breakfast or snack for busy mornings.

Fresh quartered strawberries topped with a silky blended sauce of low-fat yogurt, raspberry jam, powdered sugar, and orange zest. A low-fat, 10-minute dessert that feels indulgent without the guilt.