Sticking to your low-fat eating goals while still being able to indulge in your favorite foods just became a whole lot easier! We have recipes for you that will keep you full and satisfied, while still eating a low-fat diet, each and every day. Everything from dessert, to side dishes to comfort food, we have you covered!
Roasted cauliflower with dried cranberries and sherry vinaigrette
Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring. This recipe for roasted cauliflower with dried cranberries and sherry vinaigrette is so full of flavor, you won’t even know you are being healthy. The sherry vinaigrette adds a sweet acidity to the roasted cauliflower. Toasted pine nuts and sweet cranberries add a perfect contrast of flavors and textures to this very healthy and low-fat veggie side dish. Most holiday dinners are laden with the richest, creamiest foods, so why not balance out the buffet with an earthy, seasonal vegetable dish?
Classic black-eyed peas
A traditional, Southern black-eyed peas dish is said to bring good luck, which makes it the perfect soulful dish with which to ring in the new year. Plus, they are packed with protein and they are low in fat, so there is no guilt here. The black-eyed peas are cooked until tender with garlic, onions, kale and pancetta, which gives this dish a rich, smoky depth that will leave you craving more. Jalapeños, ancho chili pepper flakes and tangy hot sauce bring the luscious heat to round out the dynamic flavors of this classic (and healthy) dish.
Easy zucchini tots
Tots that are healthy? Yes, please! This recipe for easy zucchini tots, from Yummiest Food, is a fantastic way to indulge in comfort food while also getting your daily dose of vegetables in. The great news is this recipe could not be any simpler. Just five basic ingredients and you are good to go. Zucchini is inexpensive, and often bountiful when grown in your garden. Just shred some up, wring out any excess water, mix with Parmesan cheese, panko, egg and seasoning, and then bake. The beauty of this recipe is that you can make a large batch and freeze some. These tots heat up well straight from the freezer for that quick, and low-fat, midweek dinner.
Spinach and artichoke mini stuffed peppers
You just can’t go wrong with spinach and artichoke anything. But if you are looking for a delectable appetizer or snack that is a little more on the healthy side, definitely give these spinach and artichoke mini stuffed peppers, from Real Housemoms, a try. They are still packed with all the great flavors you know and love, like cream cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan, artichoke hearts, fresh spinach and garlic, but they are stuffed and baked into an ultra-healthy sweet pepper. The mini sweet peppers add a wonderful crunch, a sweet flavor and a beautiful color to this dish. Snack away!
Spicy shrimp with cauliflower mash and roasted kale
This dish is perfect on a chilly night at home because it is pure comfort food, but it is also so good for you. Instead of the typical mashed potato, this recipe for spicy shrimp with cauliflower mash and roasted kale, from Pinch of Yum, uses cauliflower, along with garlic, white beans, milk and a little cheese to make a creamy, dreamy veggie dish you will not believe is also good for you. Spicy shrimp and roasted kale are really simple to make with just a few ingredients. Even better, kale (which is a superfood!) is loaded with plenty of vitamins and nutrients. The whole dish comes together when the tangy spicy shrimp and garlicky kale are served on top of a warm scoop of scrumptious cauliflower mash.
Seared scallops and pecan pesto over polenta
Get ready to fall in love with this dish of Seared scallops and pecan pesto over polenta from Real Food By Dad. The flavors are delicious and the ingredients are all good for you. The made-from-scratch pesto sauce uses pecans and arugula instead of the usual basil and pine nuts. Pecans are loaded with tons of nutrients, and the spicy, peppery, leafy green arugula is packed with vitamins. This luscious, brightly colored pesto is served over polenta, rather than the typical white flour pasta. Perfectly seared scallops are served on a bed of all this goodness for a dinner that will knock your socks off.
Slow-cooker turkey chickpea chili
Chili is the ultimate rainy day comfort food This slow-cooker turkey chickpea chili recipe, from Kristine’s Kitchen Blog, turns the usual hot bowl of goodness into one that is also healthy and low in fat. Adding veggies like yellow and orange bell peppers, onions and tomatoes, you will get in plenty of vitamins and nutrients. Using ground turkey instead of ground beef makes this dish a low-fat one that you will have zero guilt indulging in. The addition of delicious chickpeas adds an extra dose of protein. Chickpeas also bring a nice texture and heartiness to the chili. Top with cheese and tortilla strips, if you like, and dig in!
