7,057 light recipes

Old-fashioned peach shortcake with tender butter biscuits split and filled with sugared peaches and fresh whipped cream. Served warm for a classic summer dessert.

Vichyssoise is the chilled French leek and potato soup, enriched with heavy cream and half-and-half, finished with snipped chives. Silky, cold, and the original elegant summer first course.

Banana split sundaes for two with a microwave hot fudge sauce made from semisweet chocolate, sweetened condensed milk, and corn syrup. A 10-minute date-night dessert.

Banana split sundae for one with homemade microwave hot fudge, ice cream, peanuts, and a quartered banana. Single-serving solo dessert ready in five minutes.

Rich chocolate pound cake with a full cup of cocoa, melted butter, and half-and-half cream baked in a tube pan. Dense, velvety, and deeply chocolatey.

Chocolate peanut pie with melted semi-sweet chocolate, corn syrup, and unsalted peanuts in a from-scratch butter crust. Like a pecan pie but with chocolate and peanuts.

Asian peanut sauce with peanut butter, soy sauce, chili oil, garlic, and brewed tea for a smooth base. A spicy, savory dipping sauce for noodles, spring rolls, and satay.

Thick French bread slices hide melted Monterey Jack pockets inside, then get dipped in spiced egg batter and pan-fried golden. Serve these stuffed toasts with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for a Southwestern breakfast twist.

Giant chocolate chip cookie rolled flat like a pizza crust, topped with sweetened cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and chopped nuts. Cut into wedges with a pizza cutter. A semi-homemade dessert pizza that steals the show at any gathering.

Heart-healthy braised chicken in a tangy orange sauce with brown sugar, ginger, sherry, and soy. A skinless braised chicken dish from the AMA cookbook that's lower-fat without sacrificing flavor.

Mexican quiche baked in crispy tostada shells with Swiss cheese, crumbled bacon, green chiles, and a half-and-half custard. Mini quiches with a cayenne kick for an unusual brunch presentation.

Danablu soup: Danish blue cheese melted into a chicken broth and roux base, finished with cream and topped with whipped cream and parsley. Elegant first course.

Filipino-inspired beef short ribs braised in vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic until fork-tender, then seared for a crispy crust. Served over blanched spinach for a hearty, tangy one-plate meal.

Homemade cream of mushroom soup built on a butter roux with 4 to 5 cups of fresh sliced mushrooms, celery, and onion, finished with half-and-half. No canned soup compares.

"SOUTH TO NORTH -- `Everything' Salsa Adds Zing to, Well, Everything." Jacqueline Higuera McMahan

Tomato and Swiss cheese quiche with reduced fresh tomatoes, herbs, and a custard of eggs and half-and-half. Par-baked crust stays crisp under the cheesy, jammy filling. A summer brunch staple.