7,057 light recipes

Crisp bell peppers, bean sprouts, and celery stir-fried in sesame oil with tofu, sunflower seeds, and a splash of dry sherry. A light, crunchy Chinese-style vegetarian meal ready in 35 minutes.

Pastitsio makaronia me feta: a Greek baked pasta casserole with elbow macaroni, cubed feta, grated cheese, and eggs wrapped in crispy buttered filo pastry. Nutmeg-scented and golden-topped.

These delicious popovers take advantage of lemon's strong affinity with freshly ground black pepper. They rise best in baked in deep molds in a very hot oven. One of the best ways to grate lemon peel is to remove the zest in strips using a vegetable peeler, then grind it to a powder in a spice mill.

Pureed vegetable soup with broccoli florets: silky potato-thickened base of carrots, celery, onion, and garlic with thyme and nutmeg, then scattered with steamed broccoli florets for bite.

French onion soup with caramelized Spanish onions, white wine, and beef broth, finished with a Jarlsberg, Swiss, and Parmesan crust under the broiler. Classic bistro soup, made at home.

A Kentucky Derby-inspired tart with chocolate chips, pecans, bourbon, and melted butter baked in a pie shell until puffy and golden. Topped with bourbon whipped cream. Pure Southern indulgence.

Chewy coconut almond macaroons made with homemade almond paste, ground coconut, and egg whites. Naturally gluten-free, crisp on the outside, soft in the middle. Makes 3 to 4 dozen.

Hearty double-bran muffins brightened with fresh orange and lemon zest, studded with chopped dates, and finished with a sesame seed crunch. A fiber-packed grab-and-go breakfast that actually tastes great.

Sweet cornbread: a quick one-bowl batter of cornmeal, flour, and sugar baked into a moist, lightly sweet round. The fast, fluffy cornbread that goes with chili, barbecue, or a bowl of soup.

A delicious all chocolate cake with a delicious thich chocolate icing

A low-calorie party dip made from cottage cheese, garlic, parsley, white wine vinegar, and Italian seasoning. No cooking, just mix and chill. Light enough for any diet, flavorful enough for any crowd.

Silky pureed potato and leek soup simmered in white wine and fish stock, finished with milk and topped with tender poached fish. A light, elegant fish soup that works hot or chilled.

A fast wok stir-fry with large shrimp, snow peas, and bok choy in a bright lemon-orange sauce thickened with cornstarch. Dinner in 20 minutes, start to finish. Light, fresh, and full of crunch.

Fresh apple chiffon cake, light and airy with shredded McIntosh apples, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, and a caramel drizzle. Whipped egg whites give this oil-based tube cake its tall, tender, moist crumb.

Orange chiffon pie folds whipped egg whites into a citrusy gelatin-set orange custard for a cloud-light filling in a flaky pastry shell. A retro chilled pie topped with whipped cream and orange slices.

Thai-inspired crab salad tossed with lemongrass, fish sauce, lime juice, and cilantro, spooned into cool hollowed-out cucumber cups. A no-cook appetizer that's fresh, light, and packed with bright Southeast Asian flavors.