505 plain recipes

Baked white bean and brown rice patties with Mexican seasoning, chili peppers, and garlic. A high-protein vegetarian burger alternative with serious spice and crunch.

Low fat lemon poppy seed Bundt cake using yogurt and egg substitute for tender crumb without the butter. Bright citrus glaze finishes each slice.

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.

This recipe came about from a need to clean out my refrigerator, I had some fruit that need to be eaten and I used them this way, the result was tart, crispy and just plain good. There are a lot of combinations of fruit you could use but this one works well.

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.

Low-fat ricotta cheesecake with ginger and nutmeg on a Grape Nuts crust, set with agar instead of eggs. A no-bake, lighter cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries.

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.

A tropical blueberry passion fruit smoothie with banana, yogurt, and toasted wheat germ. Thick, creamy, and naturally sweetened with honey. Serves 4 in under 5 minutes.

Cucumber dip with pita crisps is a light yogurt and sour cream dip with shredded cucumber, garlic, mint, and cilantro. Served with homemade whole wheat pita chips. Ready in 25 minutes.

Curried Waldorf salad reworks the classic with yogurt, a whisper of curry powder, orange segments, crunchy toasted walnuts, and golden raisins. A lighter take on the retro lunch staple.

My version of Bobby Flay's very distinctive southwestern, egg-less potato salad from his restaurant, Mesa Grill. Make sure you pour the sauce over the potatoes while they're still warm to ensure the flavors soak in. This salad goes nicely with grilled meat, poultry or seafood.

Herring salad with apples, dill pickles, and horseradish in a sour cream sauce. Matjes herring soaked in buttermilk overnight, then dressed for a classic Northern European appetizer.

Vegetarian kasha soup with kombu broth, miso, sauerkraut, lima beans, mushrooms, cabbage, and potatoes. A hearty, umami-rich bowl ready in 30 minutes.

Creamy cucumber dressing with garlic, chives, parsley, light mayo, and yogurt. A cool, tangy salad dressing that doubles as a dip for vegetables.

Microwave poached pears glazed with orange marmalade, brown sugar, and citrus zest, served chilled with a creamy yogurt sauce. A light, elegant fruit dessert.

Smoked salmon platter with a tangy apple-horseradish cream, sliced black bread, steamed broccoli, capers, and lemon wedges. A light, elegant spread ready in just 15 minutes.