Author: Melissa D’Arabian
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Let five-spice powder turn a ‘blah’ chicken into warm spice
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Eating healthy on a budget and tight schedule means the boneless, skinless chicken breast makes frequent appearances on the table. It’s a smart choice as a lean protein – one cup of cubed chicken breast has a whopping 43 grams of protein yet only 5 grams of fat (fewer than 2 of those are saturated).…
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How far can you reduce sugar in a pavlova? Surprisingly low
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Pavlovas are dreamy. For the uninitiated, a pavlova (named after the famed ballerina’s fluffy tutu) is essentially a meringue shell baked at low heat until the outside is barely golden crisp but the inside remains soft and billowy. The shell then is typically filled with whipped cream, custard or fruit compote. Pavlovas are a splendid…
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Try this filling and satisfying salad for your winter-blahs
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Winter is upon us. And when the indoor winter blahs get to me, I turn toward my first line of defense to get out of my funk: my diet. When I’m in a slump, I immediately consider what I am eating. I stop processed sugar and focus on getting an extra dose of vegetables, protein,…
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Wintertime comfort-in-bowl is savory, meaty braised beef
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Braising is a long-honored method of cooking that coaxes out tenderness and deep flavors from tougher cuts of meat. The basic technique involves a Dutch oven and four main steps: Brown the meat and remove; cook the mirepoix (chopped onion, celery and carrot); deglaze the pan with liquid; and return the meat to the Dutch…
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Latest rage in avocado toast trend adds sweet potato slices
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Sweet potato slices are the latest rage in the avocado toast trend. If you are involved with Pinterest, you know this. Pop slices of unpeeled sweet potato in a toaster and then top them with healthy goodies for a breakfast or snack filled with slower carbs and healthy fats. I’ll admit; I was skeptical. But…
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Cheese fondue that’s healthy thanks to a sneaky ingredient
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Cheese fondue is the ultimate winter comfort food. Living in France in my early 30s, I fell in love with the classic recipe made with crisp white wine and nutty gruyere cheese. French fondue is life-changing. And I’ve found a way to capture all that flavor for a fraction of the calories. OK, not really.…
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Make these chocolate rosemary biscotti for a snack or a gift
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As the days grow colder and shorter, and cookie- baking season is ushered in, the calorie-counter in me steps aside enough to strike a balance of reasonable indulgence. A perfect example of smart cookie indulgence is the biscotti. Biscotti are firm, dry Italian cookies that typically are served alongside an espresso or coffee for dunking.…
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With this cauliflower puree, you won’t miss mashed potatoes
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Cauliflower entered the healthy food scene a few years ago as a solution to our low-carb-seeking, starch-loving woes. With good reason: Cauliflower is versatile and can be used to replace carbs in many recipes – risotto, pizza crust and couscous to name a few. While health-conscious folks likely will continue to debate the benefits and…
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Make a low calorie whipped cream from an unlikely source
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I remember the first time my daughter tried lasagna. She loved pasta, yet it took serious coaxing. Today, I’m going to ask you to have the same faith when I share a recipe for a lower-calorie whipped cream whose main ingredient is garbanzo bean juice. The liquid left over from the slow cooking of beans…
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A wild rice side dish that complements any meat or fish
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We all have our favorite winter dishes and mine is stuffing – or dressing, technically, since I don’t stuff it in a turkey. The classic flavors lull me into feeling like I’m in white-capped mountains. Rosemary, sage, thyme, dried cranberries and a little sausage work winter-wonderland magic for me. My oldest daughter is also a…