Notes:
A much lower-fat version of the alfredo that we all love; try changing the veggie combinations, adding red pepper flakes or other spices, or increasing the protein with a little lean grilled chicken. Lots of people like to replace the onion with another 3 or 4 cloves of garlic for a stronger flavor. Thanks to AllRecipes.

• Calories: 299
• Total Fat: 4.6g
• Cholesterol: 6mg
• Sodium: 406mg
• Total Carbs: 50.4g
• Dietary Fiber: 3.6g
• Protein: 14.6g

Servings: 8

Ingredients:
* 1 onion, chopped
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
* 2 cups skim milk
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 16 ounces dry fettuccine pasta
* 16 ounce package frozen broccoli florets

Directions:
1. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until golden brown.
2. In a small saucepan, stir together milk, chicken broth, flour, salt and pepper over low heat until smooth and thick. Stir into onion mixture.
3. Continue to cook over medium low heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce is thick. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water. Add broccoli to the pasta for the last several minutes of cooking. Continue cooking until the pasta is al dente.
4. Drain the pasta and vegetables, and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with sauce and serve.

Submitted by:
Sarah

Notes:
A delicious vegan Chinese stirfry from AllRecipes. You can cut the fat a bit more by reducing the amount of sesame oil. Sliced bamboo shoots are a great addition.

• Calories: 160
• Total Fat: 8.1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 58mg
• Total Carbs: 14.1g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 9.9g

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
* 1 (14 ounce) package firm tofu
* 3 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
* 1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained
* 3 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
* 1 1/2 cups snow peas, trimmed
* 1/2 teaspoon oyster sauce or mushroom-based oyster-flavored sauce
* 1 cup water

Directions:
1. Slice tofu lengthwise into 3 pieces. Wrap each slab in paper towels, and press to squeeze out excess water.
2. Heat 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a large skillet (use less if desired, but make sure you use enough that the tofu doesn't stick). Fry tofu for about 5 minutes on each side, or until delicately browned.
3. Remove tofu from skillet and slice into cubes.
4. Add the remaining teaspoon sesame oil to the skillet, and stir fry the water chestnuts, mushrooms and snow peas.
5. Mix together water and oyster sauce (or mushroom-based oyster-flavored sauce), and add to the skillet along with the tofu. 6. Cover and cook over low heat for about 10 minutes.

Submitted by:
Sarah

Notes:
These vegetarian “burgers” are a great alternative to those bland frozen veggie discs. They also taste great with substitutions such as rolled oats or brown rice in place of the bread crumbs, and additions like corn. AllRecipes to the rescue.

• Calories: 200
• Total Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 53mg
• Sodium: 623mg
• Total Carbs: 33.4g
• Dietary Fiber: 9.6g
• Protein: 11.1g

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
* 1 (16 ounce) can black beans
* 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
* 1/2 onion, cut into wedges
* 3 cloves garlic, peeled
* 1 egg
* 1 tablespoon chili powder
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 tablespoon cumin
* 1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
* 1/2 cup bread or cracker crumbs

Directions:
1. If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly oil a baking sheet.
2. Drain and rinse black beans very well. Pat try, pour into a medium bowl and mash with a fork until thick and pasty.
3. Finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Strain to remove excess moisture and mix with mashed beans.
4. In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, chili sauce, salt and pepper.
5. Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide into four patties.
6. Place patties on foil and grill about 8 minutes on each side, or place patties on baking sheet and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

Submitted by:
Sarah

Notes:
Seriously, what would I do without AllRecipes? This is a delicious way to get more veggies, and a way to satisfy your urge for Italian food without loading up on pasta. You can cut the fat even further if you use less oil and/or cheese, or substitute light cheese for full-fat. Use homemade sauce if you have it, and this dish goes from tasty to phenomenal.

• Calories: 190
• Total Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 13mg
• Sodium: 479mg
• Total Carbs: 16.1g
•  Dietary Fiber: 3.8g
• Protein: 8g

Servings: 5

Ingredients:
* 2 large zucchini, thinly sliced
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 large onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
* 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Boil the zucchini until tender; drain.
3. In a medium frying pan heat the olive oil over medium heat and saute the onion and garlic until the onion is tender.
4. Combine the zucchini, onion and garlic in a 9×12 inch casserole dish and mix well.
5. Pour the spaghetti sauce over the mixture and stir well. Top with mozzarella cheese (use more or less depending on your tastes and dietary concerns).
6. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Submitted by:
Sarah

Notes:
Black beans are one of my favorite foods, and in this flavorful alternative to beans and rice, corn and quinoa (a nutty South American grain) lend the beans a delicious flavor. The quinoa is similar to couscous and lighter than traditional rice, but it is also higher in protein and lower in carbs. I found this recipe at one of my favorite sites, AllRecipes.

• Calories: 152
• Total Fat: 1.7g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 513mg
• Total Carbs: 27.5g
• Dietary Fiber: 7.7g
• Protein: 7.7g

Servings: 10

Ingredients:
* 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
* 1 onion, chopped
* 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
* 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
* 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
* 1 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 cup frozen corn kernels
* 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until lightly browned.
2. Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Stir frozen corn into the saucepan and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro.

Submitted by:
Sarah

Notes:
This is a delicious, healthy vegan recipe that I found at AllRecipes. It makes an excellent taco filling but it’s tasty as a dip as well.

• Calories: 143
• Total Fat: 2.5g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 542mg
• Total Carbs: 24.1g
• Dietary Fiber: 8.7g
• Protein: 7.5g

Servings: 8

Ingredients:
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 bell pepper, chopped
* 2 (14.5 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed & drained
* 2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal
* 1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
* 1 teaspoon paprika
* 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1 teaspoon chili powder
* 1 cup salsa (jarred or homemade)

Directions:
1. Roughly mash the beans so they have a consistency similar to that of refried beans. Set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
3. Stir in onion, garlic, and bell pepper; cook until tender.
4. Stir in mashed beans and salsa.
5. Add the cornmeal and spices. Cover and cook 5 minutes over medium heat. Try different spice combinations to suit your tastes, or considering adding hot sauce if you like it spicy.

Submitted by:
Sarah