63 prodigy recipes

Classic pancakes from a small-batch base of flour, milk, egg and a touch of sugar. Tender, golden discs that hit the griddle in 20 minutes flat. The kind of weekend stack that needs only butter and maple syrup.

Sauerbraten pot roast marinated 4-10 days in malt vinegar and horseradish, then slow-braised with onions. A traditional German sour roast with tangy, fork-tender beef.

Cream of mushroom soup with nearly two pounds of fresh mushrooms, dry sherry, thyme, milk, and heavy cream. Rich, chunky, and homemade in 40 minutes.

Classic eggplant Parmigiana with breaded and fried eggplant rounds layered with homemade tomato-basil sauce, Parmesan, and sliced mozzarella. The Italian-American staple done from scratch.

Hamburgers au poivre take the French steak au poivre treatment and apply it to ground beef patties: black pepper-crusted burgers seared hard, served on a toasted bun with a red wine, Dijon, green peppercorn, and tarragon cream sauce.

A savory bean and ham soup that is simmered to perfection in your crockpot or slow cooker.

Herbed chickpea patties blended with egg whites, bread crumbs, dry mustard, oregano, and basil, pan-fried on a nonstick griddle. Low-fat vegetarian fritters similar to falafel but lighter and easier to make.

Lentil pasta sauce: hearty meatless tomato sauce with lentils, oregano, and a kick of hot sauce, perfect for vegan or vegetarian pasta night. Protein-rich alternative to classic meat ragu.

Practically fat-free York gingerbread bars made with pureed carrots, buttermilk, fresh ginger, and molasses. No butter, no oil. Moist crumb with bright orange zest and a cinnamon-sugar top.

Vegan lemon garlic dressing with cucumber, onion, apple cider vinegar, dill, and celery seeds blended smooth. An oil-free, fat-free salad dressing that keeps well in the fridge.

A light frozen fruit yogurt dessert lightened with whipped egg whites into an airy, mousse-like treat. Raspberry puree, tangy yogurt, and a touch of juice concentrate, no ice cream machine needed.

This is a Middle Eastern soup, typical of the simple foods served in the desert regions. Serve with pita bread and a grain or vegetable dish for a simple meal. This soup is also food served cold, stuffed into a pita bread.

A refreshing vegan brown rice salad tossed with fruit cocktail, tomato, celery, and green onions in a tangy tarragon-Dijon vinaigrette. Light, nutty, and naturally sweet.

Warm sauteed apples, pears, and onion rings in a honey-sherry-vinegar sauce served over fresh spinach. A warm-cold salad with sweet fruit and tangy dressing that wilts the greens.

Oprah's mock Caesar salad lightens up the classic with a no-egg, no-anchovy dressing built on lemon juice, soy sauce, and garlic. Romaine and Belgian endive, ready in 10 minutes and naturally low-fat.

Fat-free apple oat muffins using pureed prunes as a fat substitute, egg whites instead of whole eggs, and maple syrup for sweetness. Just 90 calories each.