Dairy
Seared Beef Rolls
By Patricia Yeo
Buttermilk Cornbread with Monterey Jack Cheese
This cornbread is a little firmer and denser than one made for eating on its own so that it will hold up to grilling and tossing with the dressing for the Grilled Cornbread Salad with Red Onions, Arugula, and Red Wine Vinaigrette.
By Tom Douglas
Insalata di Rucola
Investor Ashton Kutcher has cozied up to current flame Demi Moore at this see-and-be-seen Melrose restaurant. Other famous patrons include Halle Berry and Sharon Stone, who have feasted on the Whole-Wheat Penne With Eggplant, Tomato, and Buffalo Mozzarella. To avoid filling up on a heavy entrée, start with this salad, which contains heart-friendly fat from olive oil.
Lentil Salad with Carrots, Yellow Tomatoes, and Bell Peppers
Healthy bonus: Fiber and protein from lentils; vitamin A from carrots
Spicy Thai Shrimp with Mint Raita
This calorie bargain, the second winner from Red Mountain, owes its flavor to chef Luethje's mix of Thai chile paste, fresh ginger, and raita, an Indian yogurt salad. The shrimp supplies lean protein, the yogurt calcium.
Turtle Cheesecake
Testers refused to believe that chef Terry Conlan's ultra-creamy cheesecake was low in fat — but we triple-checked the numbers, and they're gloriously correct. Calories are still a bit high, but light butter and fat-free cream cheese drop the fat count to only 20 percent of the recipe's calories (less than half that of a regular slice), and goodies like caramel sauce and chocolate chips maximize the taste.
Mediterranean Vegetable-Cheese Pie
The secret to this healthy dish's deceptively rich taste? Cheeses that are loaded with flavor but light on fat. Chef Gonzalo Mendoza further reduces the fat content by lining the pan with thinly sliced potatoes instead of piecrust (which typically contains a lot of butter or lard) for a big fat-calorie savings. The spinach, tomatoes, and onion add nearly 8 grams of fiber to every hearty slice.
Mixed Berries with Mascarpone-Limoncello Cream
Limoncello can be found at most supermarkets and at liquor stores.
Grilled Vegetables with Mint Raita
Improv: Add or substitute corn on the cob, eggplant slices, or portobellos.
By Mark Bittman
Smoked-Cheddar-Stuffed Chicken with Green Apple Slaw
The classic apple and cheese combo gets a fun twist in this delicious dish. What to drink: Taz 2003 Chardonnay, Santa Barbara ($20).
By Ted Reader
Jícama, Radish, and Pepita Salad
For a main-course salad, add some grilled shrimp or chicken and diced papaya.
Creamy Southwestern Potato Salad
A bold medley of cumin, cayenne, corn, and cilantro ups the flavor here. Great with: Grilled-fish tacos, steak fajitas, or chipotle-rubbed chicken.
Cherry-Apricot Yogurt Sundaes
Though you could certainly use regular red cherries in this recipe, we prefer yellow cherries such as Royal Ann or Rainier, available in supermarkets, for their lovely yellow color, as well as their bright flavor and mild sweetness.
We use Greek yogurt because it has a much thicker texture than other yogurts and holds its shape nicely.