230 calories per serving From Country Living Active time 10 minutes Total time 35 minutes Makes 8 Main-Dish Servings 1 lb. red potatoes, diced Salt and pepper 3 Tbsp. plus 4 tsp. olive oil 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 red bell pepper, diced 1½ Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme 3 … Read more

Biologically based leaveners—primarily yeast, but also bacteria for salt-rising breads—are surely the oldest method for generating air in foods. Presumably, a prehistoric baker first discovered that a bowl of flour and water left out will begin to ferment as yeast from the surrounding environment settles in it. 1. Yeast Yeast is a single-celled fungus that … Read more

1.2. Yeast in breads Baker’s yeast comes in three varieties: instant, active dry, and fresh. All three types are the same strain: Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The instant and active dry versions have been dried so as to form a protective shell of dead yeast cells surrounding some still-living cells. Fresh yeast—also called cake yeast because it … Read more

1.3. Pizza If there’s one stereotypical geek food, it would have to be pizza: ubiquitous, cheap, and cheesy. But the stuff sold in your local strip mall is far inferior to what you can make at home. It’s like the difference between canned fruit and the fresh thing: both can be good, but the fresh … Read more

243 calories per serving Total time 30 minutes Makes 8 Appetizer Servings Blue-Cheese dressing 2/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream 2 Tbsp. light mayonnaise 2 Tbsp. cider vinegar 6 Tbsp. crumbled blue cheese Chicken ½ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs 2 tsp. cayenne (ground red pepper) Salt 2 large egg whites 6 Tbsp. … Read more

 320 calories per serving Active time 25 minutes Total time 1 hour 15 minutes Makes 12 Main-Dish Servings Bisque 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 2 lb. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks 4 large Cranny Smith apples (1½ lb.), peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks 1 cup sliced leek (white part only), washed … Read more

73 calories per spiral Active time 20 minutes Total time 30 minutes plus chilling Makes 30 Spirals 6 Tbsp. sugar 11/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, thawed ½ cup chopped pecans 1 orange, zested 1.    Preheat oven to 400°F. In small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. … Read more

Iced Mocha Frappés 165 calories per drink Total time 5 minutes Makes 2 Drinks 2/3 cup cold strong brewed coffee 2/3 cup whole milk 2 Tbsp. chocolate syrup 4 tsp. sugar 2 cups ice cubes In blender, combine coffee, milk, chocolate syrup, sugar, and ice. Blend until mixture is smooth and ice is finely crushed. … Read more

377 calories per slice Active time 10 minutes Total time 45 minutes Makes 6 Slices 1 Tbsp. olive oil 11/3 lb. fresh or frozen (thawed) pizza dough 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese 1 cup frozen chopped broccoli, thawed 2 roasted red bell peppers, thinly sliced (½ cup) ¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives, each cut … Read more

345 calories per serving Total time 25 minutes Makes 4 Main-Dish Servings 4 oz. rice noodles 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar 2 Tbsp. olive oil ½ lb. flank steak Kosher salt and pepper 4 oz. shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced 4 oz. snow peas, thinly sliced lengthwise 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 red chile, … Read more

Think that love conquers all? Not when it comes to your bank balance. So what happens when rands get in the way of romance? We spoke to finance experts, psychologists and couples in the know, so you can have the best of both worlds. The Beatles were right – money can’t buy you love, but … Read more

…You’re both set in your financial ways Allowing someone into your life can mean surrendering a degree of control. “Financial and emotional independence often coincide, especially when you’ve been single for a prolonged period,” says Lurie. Capetonians Caryn, 27, a journalist, and Rob, 29, an IT consultant, had both been single for a few years … Read more

381 calories per serving From Redbook Total time 20 minutes Makes 4 Main-Dish Servings 4 boneless chicken-breast halves, skin on (5 oz. each) Salt and pepper ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 Tbsp. olive oil 3 shallots, halved and thinly sliced ½ lb. sliced, mixed mushrooms ½ cup dry Marsala wine ¼ … Read more

295 calories per serving Active time 20 minutes Total time 1 hour 20 minutes Makes 12 Servings Butter, for greasing pan and parchment 1¾ cups all-purpose flour 12/3 cups granulated sugar 1 cup plus 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder 2½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. salt 3 large egg whites 1 cup low-fat buttermilk 2/3 … Read more

80 calories per cookie Active time 15 minutes Total time 40 minutes Makes 4 Dozen Cookies ½ cup packed brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup trans-fat-free vegetable oil spread (60% to 70% oil) 1 large egg 1 large egg white 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1¼ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda ½ … Read more

265 calories per serving Active time 15 minutes Total time 55 minutes plus cooling Makes 10 Servings 6 Tbsp. butter or margarine ¼ tsp. salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 4 large eggs 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate ½ cup half-and-half or light cream 1 Tbsp. sugar 1 quart light vanilla ice cream 1.    Preheat oven to … Read more

356 calories per serving Active time 30 minutes Total time 1 hour 30 minutes Makes 8 Main-Dish Servings 1 jar (26 oz.) fat-free tomato-basil sauce 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes in juice, drained 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 container (16 oz.) low-fat cottage cheese 4 oz. part-skim mozzarella cheese, finely shredded 6 Tbsp. freshly … Read more

255 calories per serving Active time 20 minutes Total time 1 hour 25 minutes plus cooling and chilling Makes 16 Servings ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs 2 Tbsp. trans fat-free vegetable oil spread, melted 3 packages (8 oz. each) reduced- fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel) 1 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. cornstarch 1½ pints fat-free sour cream … Read more

While yeast allows for the creation of many delicious foods, it has two potential drawbacks: time and flavor. Commercial bakers with high volumes and those of us with limited time to play in the kitchen can’t always afford to wait for yeast to do its thing. Then there’re the flavors and aromas generated by yeast, … Read more

Gingerbread Cookies Chemical leaveners aren’t always used to create light, fluffy foods. Even dense items need some air to keep them enjoyable. In a bowl, mix together with a wooden spoon or electric beater: ½ cup (100g) sugar 6 tablespoons (80g) butter, softened but not melted ½ cup (170g) molasses 1 tablespoon (17g) minced ginger … Read more