This easy and delicious stuffed mushroom recipe is definitely healthy and low in calories.  Each serving (4 mushrooms) contains only 175 calories.  Use Pecorino Romano cheese because it complements the bread crumbs.

Ingredients:

28 large white mushrooms (stemmed), 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, 1/2 cup Italian-style dried bread crumbs, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves, 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, salt and pepper

Procedure:

1.  Preheat the oven to 400°F.

2. In a medium bowl, combine Pecorino cheese, bread crumbs, garlic, mint, parsley and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

3.  Spoon the cheese and breadcrumb mixture into the…

This lasagna recipe is definitely healthy and quick to prepare.  Skip the layering and long baking to make a quick and yummy meal for your family.
Ingredients:  8 ounces whole-wheat rotini or fusilli, 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 chopped onion, 3 sliced garlic cloves, 8 ounces sliced white mushrooms, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, 8 cups baby spinach, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 3/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
Procedure:

1. Bring a large pot to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions.  Drain and transfer to a large bowl.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick pan…

This light Japanese-style dish is great as a snack.  Yaki nasu is broiled eggplant with dashi and soy-based cold soup.  The charred eggplants soak up the broth resulting in an intense smoky, salty, sweet and savory snack.

Ingredients:

1 pound Japanese eggplant, 1 tablespoon olive oil, Kosher salt, 1 cup dashi found in Asian markets, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 3 tablespoons mirin, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 2 finely sliced scallions, large pinch katsuobushi (dried, shaved bonito found in Asian markets), 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Procedure

1.  Drizzle eggplant with olive oil and sea salt.  Set broiler to high and place the eggplant on foil-lined broiler pan and place 6-inches under broiler element. …

This pasta dish is simply yummy because of the tomato sauce and ricotta cheese.  If you have the extra time, you can make your own tomato sauce and ricotta cheese for a more delicious meal but store-bought ingredients would do.

Ingredients:

8 ounces capellini or angel hair pasta, 2 cups tomato sauce, good quality olive oil, 1 cup fresh ricotta , chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Procedure:

1.  Boil a large pot of water and add some salt.  Cook the pasta according to package directions.

2.  Warm the tomato sauce and olive oil in a saucepan.  In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with ¼ teaspoon kosher salt…

This easy and yummy dinner salad recipe is made up of sweet scallops, spinach and frisée.  The tangerine vinaigrette complements the scallops that are coated with coriander.  Frisée has a big flavor and a sturdy texture that stands up to the warm scallops.  If you cannot find frisée, substitute it with escarole and curly endive.

Ingredients:

Tangerine Vinaigrette: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon tangerine or orange zest, 2 tablespoons tangerine or orange juice, 4 teaspoons white vinegar, 1 tablespoon minced shallot, 2 teaspoons finely chopped spring herbs like chervil, chives, tarragon and dill, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Salad: 6 cups baby spinach,…

Try making this Moroccan-Style Chickpea soup.  This soup is packed with chickpeas that will easily make you feel full so you’ll eat less.  Add a refreshing burst of flavor by putting fresh lemon and cilantro and make this into a meal by serving with fresh-baked pita bread.

Ingredients:

3 cups low-sodium chicken or veggie broth, 2 cans chickpeas (rinsed and drained), 1 can diced tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 diced medium onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 5 or 6 ounces spinach (cooked), lemon wedges

Procedure:

1.  Combine broth, chickpeas, tomatoes, saffron and ½ teaspoon…