Cooking Light - Cooking Light Comfort Food

Comfort Food Introduction Everybody has their own idea about what constitutes comfort food and why, but there are some general types of food that seem to always make us happy: salty snacks, creamy desserts, steaming soups, cozy casseroles, and fried foods. The problem is that many of these foods, while seemingly offering comfort, can really do a number on our health if we overindulge on a regular basis. However, at Cooking Light we believe that healthy eating is no longer about deprivation but rather a celebration of eating foods you love and paying attention to the colors, textures, flavors, and aromas that surround your senses as you come to the table. In this book, we offer lightened versions of common comfort foods, proving that food can be comforting to your soul as well as good for your body. Contents Satisfy your cravings with these savory snacks that just happen to be nutritious. Curb your cravings with multi-grain breads and veggie-packed pastas.

Soothe your soul with a spoonful of velvety pudding or luscious custard that tastes too good to be light. Save yourself a trip through the drive-through with these healthy versions of burgers, fries, tacos, and Thai. Take a trip back to Moms kitchen with these lightened versions of your favorite home-style dinners. When nothing else but dessert will do, these guilt-free treats are totally worth the splurge. 01. CRISPY & CRUNCHY SATISFY YOUR CRAVINGS WITH THESE SAVORY SNACKS THAT JUST HAPPEN TO BE NUTRITIOUS! Crispy Potato Chips HANDS-ON 10 MIN.

TOTAL 30 MIN. It may sound impossible, but you can create crispy potato chips without deep frying or even baking. The answer is the microwave. Use a mandoline to slice the potato thin enough to crisp, and then just place the slices on parchment paper and zap until crunchy. 1 medium-size purple sweet potato (about 8 oz.) 1 medium-size baking potato (about 8 oz.) 1 Tbsp. salt Cut purple sweet potato and baking potato crosswise into -inch-thick slices. salt Cut purple sweet potato and baking potato crosswise into -inch-thick slices.

Combine 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil and teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add potatoes; toss gently to coat. Cut a circle of parchment paper to fit a microwave-safe plate. Cover plate with parchment paper; arrange purple potato slices in a single layer over paper. Microwave at HIGH for 4 minutes or until potatoes are crisp and begin to brown. Repeat procedure with baking potatoes, reusing parchment paper.

SERVES 8 (serving size: about 13 chips) CALORIES 59; FAT 2g (sat 0g, unsat 1g); PROTEIN 1g; CARB 10g; FIBER 1g; SUGARS 2g (added sugars 0g); SODIUM 89mg; CALC 8mg; POTASSIUM 5% DV Kitchen Confidential Store these chips in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. BBQ Potato Chips HANDS-ON 34 MIN. TOTAL 34 MIN. With 0 grams of fat and less than 100 mg of sodium, these sweet-and-spicy chips are a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite crunchy indulgence. 1 large baking potato, unpeeled, cut into -in.-thick slices To get perfectly thin slices, use a mandoline or the thin slicing blade of a food processor. sweet and applewood-smoked grilling rub Arrange one-third of potato slices on a large microwave-safe plate. sweet and applewood-smoked grilling rub Arrange one-third of potato slices on a large microwave-safe plate.

Coat tops of potato with cooking spray, and sprinkle with one-third of rub. Microwave, uncovered, at HIGH 4 minutes. Turn potato slices over. Microwave at HIGH 4 minutes or until dried, crisp, and just beginning to brown. Remove from plate; cool completely on wire racks. Repeat procedure with remaining potato slices and rub.

SERVES (serving size: about 10 chips) CALORIES 47; FAT 0g (sat 0g, unsat 0g); PROTEIN 1g; CARB 11g; FIBER 2g; SUGARS 1g (added sugars 0g); SODIUM 86mg; CALC 0% DV; POTASSIUM 5% DV Beet Chips with Turmeric-Yogurt Dip HANDS-ON 22 MIN. TOTAL 22 MIN. Beet chips crisp up in a flash in the microwave for an easy, healthy snack. 3 medium beets, peeled and cut into 116-in.-thick slices 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 tsp. ground turmeric 1 tsp. onion powder tsp. kosher salt tsp. ground red pepper Line a large microwave-safe plate with paper towels. ground red pepper Line a large microwave-safe plate with paper towels.

Working in batches, spread beet slices on towel-lined plate; microwave at HIGH for 3 minutes or until crisp. Combine yogurt and remaining ingredients; stir well. Serve dip with beet chips. SERVES 8 (serving size: about cup chips and 2 Tbsp. dip) CALORIES 64; FAT 3g (sat 1g, unsat 2g); PROTEIN 3g; CARB 7g; FIBER 2g; SUGARS 5g (added sugars 0g); SODIUM 230mg; CALC 4% DV; POTASSIUM 6% DV Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips HANDS-ON 34 MIN. TOTAL 34 MIN.

Rather than tear into a bag of sour creamonion chips, make your own satisfying fat-free chips with Russet or Idaho baking potatoes. 1 large baking potato, unpeeled, cut into -in.-thick slices Cooking spray 1 tsp. dry ranch dressing mix Arrange one-third of potato slices on a large microwave-safe plate. Coat tops of potato with cooking spray, and sprinkle with one-third of dressing mix. Microwave, uncovered, at HIGH 4 minutes. Turn potato slices over.

Microwave at HIGH 3 to 4 minutes or until dried, crisp, and beginning to brown. Remove from plate; cool completely on wire racks. Repeat procedure with remaining potato slices and dressing mix. SERVES 6 (serving size: about 10 chips) CALORIES 52; FAT 0g (sat 0g, unsat 0g); PROTEIN 1g; CARB 12g; FIBER 1g; SUGARS 0g (added sugars 0g); SODIUM 71mg; CALC 0% DV; POTASSIUM 5% DV French Onion Dip with Sweet Potato Chips HANDS-ON 1 HR. TOTAL 2 HR. 55 MIN.

If youre craving crispy chips, you might also be in the mood for a creamy onion dip to go with the chips. Try a combination of orange and purple sweet potatoes for a pop of color. 1 lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and ends trimmed 5 tsp. olive oil, divided 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp. lower-sodium Worcestershire sauce 10 oz. soft tofu, drained and patted dry 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives Preheat oven to 200F. chopped fresh chives Preheat oven to 200F.