Live Healthy Iowa: Recipes, weight loss, diet

Asian Chicken Salad

When you need something quick and healthy for lunch, this salad is it. The greens are torn and ready to use. The dressing and oranges add a distinctly Asian flavor.

Start to Finish: 15 minutes

Makes: 4 main-dish servings

Asian Flank Steak Roll-Ups

It’s easy to tenderize flank steak, a naturally lean cut of meat. Simply score it and let it rest in an orange, lime, and ginger-flavor marinade.

Prep: 15 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce

Staying true to its Indonesian roots, this savory beef satay is skewered and served with a warm peanut sauce, perfect for dipping. For simplified preparation, partially freeze your steak to make slicing easier.

Prep: 25 minutes

Makes: 5 servings

Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes

Try this nutritious version of everyone's breakfast favorite from Better Homes and Gardens!

Broccoli Raab and Penne

Although it has broccoli in its name, broccoli raab is actually closely related to the cabbage and turnip families. Its pungent, somewhat bitter flavor is mellowed by a short cooking time.

Start to Finish: 25 minutes

Makes: 6 servings

Chicken and Corn Chowder

A south-of-the-border flavor dominates this thick, savory chowder. Green chile peppers provide a kick, and cilantro, a prominent herb in Mexican foods, adds the air of authenticity.

Start to Finish: 40 minutes

Makes: 4 main-dish servings (6 1⁄2 cups)

Chicken and Vegetable Stew

Caraway seed is an overlooked spice in cooking. In this recipe it adds a new flavor to chicken stew.

Prep: 45 minutes

Chicken Tetrazzini

Made the original way, this dish has the potential to be astronomically high in calories and fat. This healthier alternative tastes just as great. Serve it with a side salad tossed with reduced-calorie Italian dressing.

Prep: 30 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Chicken Waldorf Salad

Fruit gives this classic a tangy twist!

Recipe from Better Homes and Gardens

Chicken with Fruit Salsa

These juicy chicken breasts are paired with a sweet and fiery salsa that’s exploding with flavor. Chipotle peppers give the salsa a spicy kick, so if you like it hot, use the high end of the range.

Prep: 20 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Chicken with Red and Yellow Cherry Tomatoes

A simple topping of delightfully tangy red and yellow cherry tomatoes makes this meal perfect weeknight fare. Cooking the tomatoes boosts their antioxidant availability and gives them a richer flavor.

Prep: 15 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Cider Pork Stew

Apple cider or juice and an apple give this fix-and-forget stew a captivating hint of sweetness.

PREP: 20 MINUTES

Classic Monte Cristo Sandwiches

This hall-of-fame sandwich, known for its crisp egg-batter coating outside and melty perfection inside, gets an extra dose of opulence from sweet-tart cranberry mustard. Sound indulgent? Not this slimmed-down version.

Start to Finish: 15 minutes

Makes: 2 servings

Coriander-Studded Tenderloin Steak

Crushed coriander seeds bestow a slightly sweet citrus flavor upon these tender steaks, making them irresistible.

Prep: 10 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Down-Home Chicken and Greens

A pound of greens may sound like a lot, but they will cook down to a more manageable amount. Remember when choosing your greens that darker greens are more nutritious. Using any of the listed options will ensure you get a big dose of vitamin C.

Start to Finish: 40 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Frozen Fruit “Sorbet”

Chef Toni Sakaguchi suggests using fresh, ripe fruit for these recipes. The taste of the ripe fruit will be so sweet that you won’t miss the sugar in this creamy, light dessert.

Prep: 10 minutes

Makes: 4 (about 1⁄2-cup) servings

Fruit and Caramel Oatmeal

Kids love this warm oatmeal, thanks to the banana, nuts, and drizzling of caramel. Moms love it because it’s microwaveable and takes just minutes to make.

Start to Finish: 10 minutes
Makes: 2 servings

Fruit and Grain Cereal

If you’re looking for a hot cereal that tastes great and is good for you too, look no further. Keep a batch of this cracked wheat, brown rice, dried fruit, and cinnamon cereal in the refrigerator so you can cook up a fuss-free hot breakfast any day of the week.

Prep: 5 minutes

Makes: 5 servings

Fruit Soup

This unique dish from Better Homes and Gardens is delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dessert!

Makes 6 servings

Garden Pot Roast

Adapt this recipe to whatever fresh vegetables are in season for a different variation all year long.

Prep: 25 minutes

Makes: 8 servings

Greek Pork Chops

Balsamic vinegar is aromatic, so a tablespoon is all you need for these chops. The combination of balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, and feta cheese creates a simple but exquisite topping.

Prep: 15 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Grilled Mushroom Turkey Burgers

Italian flat-leaf parsley is no garnish in these juicy burgers; it’s a key ingredient that adds color, flavor, and vitamins A and C. Top your burger with any of the suggested condiments for a more filling meal.

Prep: 15 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Hearty Beef Chili

For a fall open house, serve this meat-filled chili. Offer several toppers, such as black olives, tortilla chips, or sour cream, so guests can personalize their chili.

PREP: 20 MINUTES

Herb Roast Turkey

Perfectly seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs and a dash of white wine, this roasted turkey breast makes an elegant entrée.

Prep: 20 minutes

Makes: 8 servings

Jamaican Pork Kabobs

An island air provided by mango chutney and Pickapeppa sauce makes this pork dish excellent summer fare. Pickapeppa, Jamaica’s renowned condiment, has a sweet, slightly spicy flavor and can usually be found with the other condiments at grocery stores.

Prep: 15 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Lemon Honey Drop Cookies

Mixed-Fruit Smoothies

Why spend the money for a meal- replacement drink when you can prepare your own at home? For an impressive party drink, make two-tone smoothies with mango and strawberry flavors.

Start to Finish: 15 minutes

Makes: 6 (about 5-ounce) servings

Mom’s Meat Loaf

Mom’s meat loaf—only better (but don’t tell her that!). This mix contains more vegetables than Mom’s, a few snips of basil, and chili sauce instead of catsup.

Prep: 30 minutes

Makes: 6 servings

Ricotta Mousse with Berries

The combination of fresh, sweet berries served over a spoonful of ricotta mousse is the perfect ending to your meal. Orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier or Bauchant adds dark citrus flavor to the mix.

Prep: 15 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Roasted Apples with Yogurt, Dried Cherries, and Hazelnuts

A holiday meal without dessert just wouldn’t be complete, so use this dish to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Don’t forget to plan ahead; the yogurt cheese needs at least 24 hours of refrigeration.

Prep: 15 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

No need for dieters to abandon well-loved side dishes like this one. Grilled chicken and steak wouldn’t be the same without a potato partner.

Prep: 25 minutes

Makes: 8 side-dish servings

Seafood Cioppino

This Italian-American classic features two types of fish plus shrimp. You can use 2 pounds of one type of fish, if you like.

PREP: 35 MINUTES

Slimmed Skillet Lasagna

When you think of lasagna, the words quick and easy don’t normally come to mind. But then again, neither do low calorie and low fat, and this version is all of the above.

Prep: 20 minutes

Makes: 6 servings

Southwest Skillet

It’s home on the range with a stove-top main course built on classic Southwestern flavors. Round up everything you need in the aisles of most supermarkets.

Start to Finish: 25 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Spinach, Chicken, and Wild Rice Soup

If you don’t have any leftover chicken, look in the supermarket’s meat department or freezer case for chopped cooked chicken or stop by the deli counter and pick up a roasted chicken.

PREP: 20 MINUTES

Steak with Rum- Chutney Sauce

Marinating the flank steak a full 24 hours ensures a flavorful, tender dining experience. While the steak grills, there’s enough time to whip up a side of rice or pasta, and to steam your favorite veggies.

Prep: 20 minutes

Makes: 6 servings

Stuffed Green Peppers

Stuffed green peppers have always been good for you, but this version is new and improved. The key is the extra-lean ground beef and just a sprinkling of cheddar cheese.

Prep: 35 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Taco Pizza

Intermingle pizza and tacos and what do you get? An instant kid classic. Why didn’t you think of it sooner?

Prep: 30 minutes

Makes: 8 servings

Tuna-Noodle Casserole

Make an old standby new again: Add green beans and mushrooms and breathe new life into everyday tuna-noodle casserole.

Prep: 25 minutes

Makes: 6 servings

Turkey and Rice Soup

Soups make great meals when you’re trying to lose weight. They’re filling, satisfying, and usually nutritious. This one is all three, plus it is low in calories and fat grams.

Start to Finish: 25 minutes

Makes: 6 servings (about 8 cups)

Turkey and Soba Noodle Stir-Fry

Japanese buckwheat noodles are amazingly versatile and becoming increasingly popular among Western cooks as their nutty flavor and nutritional value are realized. As the foundation of this vitamin C-rich stir-fry, buckwheat noodles add additional protein and fiber.

Start to Finish: 25 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Turkey and Sweet Potato Chowder

This recipe provides a terrific way to use leftover holiday turkey. But if you don’t have any, buy a cooked turkey breast half or substitute chopped cooked chicken.

PREP: 20 MINUTES

Tuscan Bean Soup with Spinach

This comforting soup is worth making on a cold wintry day. It makes a lot, so plan on leftovers for the following day.

Prep: 30 minutes

Vegetable and Tofu Stir-Fry

This nutritious stir-fry takes full advantage of tofu’s health properties—high levels of isoflavones and protein, and zero cholesterol. Be sure all your prep work is complete before tossing ingredients into the wok; the stir-fry method requires constant, brisk stirring once the ingredients have been added.

Start to Finish: 30 minutes

Makes: 4 servings

Vegetable Lasagna

You won’t miss the meat (or the calories) in this tasty lasagna. A sprinkling of tomatoes adds a fresh appeal. To cut calories further, use a light pasta sauce.

Prep: 30 minutes

Makes: 6 servings

Zucchini and Sweet Peppers with Feta

Make eating your vegetables enjoyable with this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens.

Recipes

Recipes for Live Healthy Iowa

Featured Recipes

Recipes

Recipes for Live Healthy Iowa

Featured Recipes

Live Healthy Sponsors