Cooking Done light moved to http://cookingdonelight.com
We didn’t actually remodel our kitchen.
Although this wordpress.com version of Cooking Done Light will remain until the search engines get around to fully indexing the new site I will one day make it disappear.
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I have received quite a few requests for some “healthier” chocolate chip cookies in the past few weeks. Traditional chocolate chip cookies can vary from 120 calories PER COOKIE (that is the “lowest” I could find) up to a whopping 285 calories per cookie, depending on how they are made!!! Now I don’t know about you - but for 285 calories, I want more than one stinkin’ cookie!!!
So what’s the problem? Well, I have been hesitant to post a recipe for two main reasons:
#1 - People are VERY particular about their chocolate chip cookies. There are typically two groups of chocolate chip cookie lovers - the soft, moist chewy group, and the crispy, crunchy group.
#2 - You can use the same exact recipe time after time when making your cookies - and one time they will come out perfect, “just the way you like them”, and then the next time - something is just not quite right. How can be this be? Well I have listed quite a few reasons for this phenomenon (along with “tips and tricks” on how to get them “just the way you like them every time. So be sure to check out all of the useful information that follows the recipe!
→ 4 CommentsCategories: Desserts
Black Forest Cake is one of my family’s favorite desserts. Who could blame them? Rich, dark chocolate cake with sweet, moist cherries and whipped cream - what a combination! The picture above is of the cake that I made for my father this past week for his birthday. I normally make this cake with just two layers, but for my dad, I made the recipe as stated below, but then cut each cake layer in half to make 4 layers, instead of the two called for (because I wanted it look really impressive!) I must say, that while it looked great - it was A LOT more work! Next time I will definitely keep it more simple with just the two layers. Also, I topped his cake with dried cherries instead of reserving some of the sour cherries - so feel free to make that substitution as well.
This cake definitely takes a little time, a little extra work, and a lot of dirty dishes - but it is really, really worth it. A few family members stated that it was more moist and flavorful than the black forest cakes they get from their bakeries!! Now that’s quite a compliment! And THIS version has 1/3 the calories of the black forest cakes from the bakery - so keep in mind that even though it takes a little more work - it is well worth the reward!!
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This is a fantastic, fast and easy meal that is simply packed with flavor. Don’t let the simplicity of the ingredients and the recipe fool you - everything in this dish compliments each other so well, that you wind up with a very rich meal with great depth. If you are looking for something a little more “hearty”, cook some very lean ground beef or chicken to mix in to the sauce, top it with a little low fat shredded cheese, and serve it with a salad and fresh multi-grain bread; Voila! A great, delicious, well-balanced and healthy meal in less than a half an hour!
→ No CommentsCategories: Dinner · Pasta
This traditional hearty, warming cool-weather specialty is a favorite of many. We revamped the recipe to be lighter on calories and fat, without sacrificing it’s rich, comforting flavor.
→ 1 CommentCategories: Appetizer · Lunch · Soup
You can substitute turkey cutlets, or even fish fillets in place of the chicken in this recipe with excellent results. You can also grill them (rather than broiling) if you so desire.
→ 1 CommentCategories: Chicken · Dinner
I recently received a request from Brianne who wrote “I was wondering if you could do a rhubarb cake recipe. My grandmother used to make it for me as a kid every fall but it was loaded with butter, and not exactly “healthy eating” friendly!”
So here it is Brianne - a low fat version of rhubarb cake! It does contain 3 tablespoons of butter, but divided among the 8 servings, it is far from being “loaded” with it! I really hope that you enjoy it, and that it at least comes close to the cake that you so fondly remember. Also, if you happen to be a fan of rhubarb, make sure to check out the recipe for Strawberry-Rhubarb Muffins - you can freeze them to have on hand for whenever you would like (even after rhubarb season is over!). Thank you again for the request!
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Warming and deliciously chewy, this mixed-grain porridge makes a hearty morning meal. The whole grains used in this recipe will leave you feeling full and satisfied far longer than any “packet” of instant oatmeal ever could. I “grew up Irish”, so porridge for breakfast is a very common concept for me (as it is for many people overseas), but unfortunately, here in the United States - many people turn their nose up at this traditional breakfast fare. I will admit, this is not a “pretty” meal by any means - as a matter of fact, a bowl of porridge is fairly unappetizing and unappealing to look at!! However, once you have had your first experience with the rich, chewy, comforting and deliciously different flavors of this dish, it will change how you think of it! People are very particular about they like their porridge, hence the optional addition of extra liquid at the end. Some people prefer it more “soupy” in consistency, while others like it very thick and “heavy”. I belong to the latter group, and typically add just a small splash of milk at the very end - but play around until you reach the texture and consistency that YOU prefer. As far as “mix-ins” are concerned, you can add pretty much any topping you are in the mood for. I usually opt for sliced banana and crushed walnuts - but dried fruit is very good too.
I really hope that you will at least try this dish. It really is a wonderful breakfast meal.
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As the seasons transition from one to the other, the foods that you eat should transition with them. There is such a huge variety of fruits of vegetables available to us, that there is no reason not to try them all at least once. You never know - you may just discover a new favorite! Here is a list of just some of the produce available during certain seasons.
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