Classic Recipes Made Light

Every healthy lifestyle should include a little room for indulgence. Every once in a while, you should be able to have that dish that's so good, you just have to close your eyes and pause for a moment to take it all in. Good news. You can indulge in that dish more often if you find ways to cut calories from your favorite dishes. Natalie Morales, Ann Curry, and Hoda Kotb of the Today show and Italian chef Giada De Laurentiis all demonstrate how to cook lighter versions of their favorite dishes. Check out their segment and then try their recipes yourself.

Giada’s Lightened Up (Low-Fat/Low-Cholesterol) Tiramisu

Ingredients:

• 3 egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 pound light cream cheese
• 1 and ½ cups espresso
• 24 ladyfingers
• 2 teaspoons rum
• ¼ cup shaved chocolate
•  2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Total: 300 calories/serving (serves 10)

Preparation:

1. Beat eggs and sugar together, until thick and pale.
2. Add cheese and beat until smooth.
3. Add 1 tablespoon of espresso and mix until combined.
4. In a small shallow dish, mix remaining espresso and rum.
5. Dip each ladyfinger into mixture–only about 5 seconds to avoid getting soggy
6. Arrange in 13x9 baking dish–break in half to fill bottom if needed.
7. Spread half the cheese mixture over ladyfingers. Arrange another layer of soaked ladyfingers, and top with remaining cheese mixture.
8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hours, and up to 8 hours.
9. Sprinkle with chocolate shavings before serving.

Natalie’s Lightened Up Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 1 pound minced beef (90/10 ground sirloin)
• 1 32-ounce tub low-fat ricotta cheese (called “light”)
• 1 large jar tomato sauce (Classic tomato and basil)
• 2 eggs
• Parsley
• ½ cup 2% fat (low fat) shredded mozzarella
• No boil lasagna noodles
• ½ cup mushrooms
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup finely zucchini
• ½ cup onions
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

1. Brown the meat, then add the veggies and sauté.
2. Add the red sauce at let simmer.
3. Make the cheese mix (separate bowl)- mix ricotta, parmesan cheese, and parsley together.
4. Layer: Meat sauce, noodles, cheese mix, top with ½ cup mozzarella.
5. Bake at 375° for about 45 minutes until golden brown (cheese is crispy and golden).

Total: 390 calories/serving (serves 12)

Ann’s Standing Rib Roast with Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 8 medium Yukon gold potatoes
• 2 ounces butter (1/4 stick)
• ½ cup whole milk
• Salt and pepper
• 1 bottom round roast (6 ounces is 1 serving)
• Salt and pepper

135 calories for 1/8th recipe (one potato)

Preparation:

• Coat liberally with coarse salt and pepper.
• Cook the bottom round roast at 450° for 10 minutes.
• Lower heat to 250° and roast 15-30 minutes per pound for internal temp to 125°-130° for medium rare or 135°-145° for medium
• Let stand before carving–for at least 20 minutes–cover loosely with foil.

Serve with ½ cup steamed green veggies: Brussel sprouts or broccoli

Total: 550 calories/plate

Hoda’s Lightened Up Roasted Chicken and Couscous

Ingredients:

• 6 medium chicken breasts (bone in)
• Poultry seasoning, Garlic powder, paprika
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Chicken: 250 calories per serving

Preparation:

1. Make a paste of the seasoning and olive oil, and rub into chicken breasts.
2. Roast for 30 minutes at 350°.
3. Serve with couscous or baked potato. (Limit the starchy vegetables to ONE per meal!)

Enjoy the cup of couscous OR baked potato, but limit to one starch.

Replace the "naked" baked potato (or couscous) with 1 cup steamed mixed green beans and carrots.

Total: 500 calories/plate (chicken, couscous, vegetables)