A pinch of saffron goes a long way to add flavor and intense color. The aromatic spice is expensive, and can be eliminated without sacrificing all the flavor. With or without the spice, this pasta and chicken soup recipe is low-cal and low-fat.
It makes the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer for the weekend and the leftovers serve as a great light lunch during the week.The best part: You get the full-on flavor without the bloat-inducing sodium in traditional restaurant versions.
Ken Oringer believes chefs need to make a point of eating healthy dishes when they can, so he includes protein-rich quinoa in his diet at least three times a week. Here he mixes the grain with black beans, onions and peppers to make a hearty and very satisfying side dish that's a fun variation on prosaic five-bean salad.
Pepperoni provides the zip in this pizza-flavored casserole that kids of all ages will enjoy. "Serve it with a tossed salad and garlic toast, and you'll have a winner every time," assures Nancy Scarlett of Graham, North Carolina.
Cowboy Caviar starts with a spicy base of black-eyed peas, tomatoes, corn, and avocado. Scoop it up with tortilla chips for an appetizer, or add cabbage and it becomes a coleslaw.
