Top 10 Recipes, Slimmed Down - Part 2

Yesterday, we gave you hints for slimming down some of Foodnetwork.com's top recipes from 2008. As promised, here are tips for lightening up the remaining five.

Yesterday, we gave you hints for slimming down some of Foodnetwork.com's top recipes from 2008. As promised, here are tips for lightening up the remaining five.

Drum roll, please...

Instead of: ground beef

Try: 90-95% ground sirloin beef or reduce the ground beef and add ground turkey

Instead of: serving 4

Try: slicing smaller pieces for person and pairing with more fresh and light sides

Ribs

Photo by: Stephen Murello

Stephen Murello

Instead of: baby back ribs

Try: pork tenderloin. Rub the tenderloin with dry rub then grill or broil, and baste periodically with the braising liquid.

Lasagna Rolls

Photo by: STEPHEN MURELLO

STEPHEN MURELLO

Instead of: unsalted Butter (for the pan)
Try: non-stick cooking spray
Instead of: whole milk
Try: skim or 1% milk
Instead of: whole milk ricotta cheese
Try: part-skim ricotta cheese and use less

Instead of: 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan

Try: About 1/3
Instead of: shredded mozzarella
Try: part-skim mozzarella
French Toast

Photo by: Stephen Murello

Stephen Murello

Instead of: eggs

Try: egg substitutes (1 egg = 1/4 cup of egg substitute) or a combination of eggs and egg substitute

Instead of: half-and-half
Try: whole or 2% milk
Instead of: whole milk
Try: skim or 1% milk
Instead of: buttered sheet pan
Try: non-stick cooking spray
Instead of: praline topping mix
Try: chopped nuts and cinnamon
Macaroni & Cheese

Photo by: STEPHEN MURELLO

STEPHEN MURELLO

Instead of: whole milk
Try: 1% or skim milk
Instead of: butter

Try: less than what's noted in recipe or a small amount of trans fat-free margarine

Instead of: 12 ounces of cheese
Try: about 1/3 less or the low-fat version
Instead of: egg

Try: egg substitute (1 egg = 1/4 cup egg substitute)

Instead of: white pasta
Try: whole wheat pasta

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