Innholdsfortegnelse for Carb-Smart Recipes - Winter 2026 i Cooking Light

Avocado-Sprout Toast HANDS-ON 5 MIN. TOTAL 5 MIN. Start your morning with brain-boosting avocado. Rich in unsaturated fat, avocados contribute to healthy blood flow and improved cognitive function, as your brain needs a steady supply of blood to work effectively. 1 (1-oz.) slice whole-grain bread, toasted¼ ripe avocado, sliced and lightly mashedDash of kosher saltDash of black pepper¼ cup alfalfa sprouts2 tsp. sunflower seeds½ tsp. fresh lemon juiceRed pepper flakes (optional) Top bread with avocado. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; top with sprouts, seeds, and lemon juice. Sprinkle with pepper flakes, if desired. SERVES 1 (serving size: 1 slice) CALORIES 169; FAT 10g (sat 1g, unsat 7g); PROTEIN 6g; CARB 17g; FIBER 5g; SUGARS 2g (added sugars 2g); SODIUM 232mg; CALC 4% DV; POTASSIUM 6% DV Coconut-Buckwheat Granola HANDS-ON 6…

Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa HANDS-ON 10 MIN. TOTAL 25 MIN. Brighten up simple grilled chicken breasts with a salsa featuring heart-healthy avocado, tomato, and onion. 2 tsp. minced fresh cilantro2½ Tbsp. fresh lime juice1½ Tbsp. olive oil4 (6-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves¼ tsp. saltCooking spray1 cup chopped plum tomato2 Tbsp. finely chopped onion2 tsp. fresh lime juice¼ tsp. salt⅛ tsp. freshly ground black pepper1 avocado, peeled and finely chopped 1. Toss together cilantro, 2½ tablespoons lime juice, oil, and chicken in a large bowl; let stand 3 minutes. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Sprinkle chicken evenly with ¼ teaspoon salt. Heat a grill pan over medium-high. Spray pan with cooking spray. Add chicken to pan; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done. 2. Stir together…

No-Sugar-Added Mini Apple Pies HANDS-ON 1 HR. TOTAL 1 HR. 30 MIN. These single-serving tarts are sweetened with dates instead of refined added sugars. Top with a little unsweetened whipped cream to take this dessert to the next level. Cooking spray1 cup chopped pitted dates1 cup boiling water1½ cups pecans, toasted and finely ground1½ cups oat flour⅓ cup melted butter½ tsp. salt1 cup apple cider3 medium apples, peeled and chopped½ tsp. ground cinnamon1 tsp. vanilla extract1 Tbsp. cornstarch 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tray with cooking spray. 2. Place dates in a medium bowl and cover with boiling water. Let soak for 20 minutes. 3. Drain dates, reserving ¼ cup soaking liquid. Place half the dates in a food processor (reserve the rest for filling). Add…

PLAN AND PREPARE Create a weekly meal plan to avoid impulse purchases. Shop seasonally for fresh produce at lower prices. Use coupons and store sales to your advantage. Sign up for grocery loyalty programs. Order groceries online if it’s hard to resist impulse buys at the supermarket. Avoid food waste and save money by taking a weekly inventory and doing meal prep with on-hand items. COOK AT HOME Prepare meals at home and eat out occasionally. Use simple recipes that require few ingredients. Consider batch cooking to save time and money. Use a slow cooker or Instant Pot to cook large batches of food efficiently. Incorporate more vegetarian and vegan meals, which are generally more affordable than meat-centered meals. Explore creative new ways to use leftovers. CHOOSE AFFORDABLE FOODS Opt…

Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps HANDS-ON 30 MIN. TOTAL 30 MIN. These low-carb wraps are filled with a spicy, crunchy mixture of tofu, mushrooms, carrot, and daikon radish. 3 Tbsp. rice vinegar2 Tbsp. hoisin sauce2 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce1 tsp. sesame oil¼ tsp. crushed red pepper1 (14-oz.) pkg. extra-firm tofu1 Tbsp. canola oil8 oz. white mushrooms, finely chopped1 cup finely chopped daikon radish3 large cloves garlic, minced1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger4 scallions, sliced8 large leaves Bibb or iceberg lettuce¼ cup thinly sliced carrot 1. Stir together vinegar, hoisin, soy sauce, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl; set aside. 2. Cut tofu in half horizontally. Press tofu slices between paper towels to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Crumble tofu. Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet…

Grilled Flank Steak with Onions, Avocado, and Tomatoes HANDS-ON 20 MIN. TOTAL 30 MIN. Flank steak is a lean cut of beef and an excellent source of protein. 2 medium-size red onions, cut into ½-in.-thick slicesCooking spray1½ lb. flank steak, trimmed1 tsp. kosher salt, divided1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved¼ cup balsamic vinegar1 ripe peeled avocado, cut into 8 wedgesChopped fresh cilantro (optional)Lime wedges (optional) 1. Preheat grill to high (450°F to 500°F). Lightly spray onions with cooking spray. Place onions on grill grates; grill 10 minutes on each side or until tender. Place onions in a bowl; cover tightly with foil. Keep warm. Lightly spray steak with cooking spray; sprinkle with ¾ teaspoon salt and ¾ teaspoon pepper. Place steak on grill grates; grill…

White BBQ Sauce This tangy twist on classic barbecue sauce is a knockout addition to burgers and makes a great dip for veggies. Whisk together 1 cup canola mayonnaise, 5 Tbsp. white wine vinegar, 2 tsp. prepared horseradish, 1 tsp. black pepper, ⅜ tsp. kosher salt, and ⅛ tsp. paprika in a medium bowl. Serve immediately, or store covered in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. SERVES 16 (serving size: 1 Tbsp.) CALORIES 38; FAT 4g (sat 0g, unsat 3g); PROTEIN 0g; CARB 0g; FIBER 0g; SUGARS 0g (added sugars 0g); SODIUM 154mg; CALC 0% DV; POTASSIUM 0% DV Pineapple-Chile Salsa Serve at room temperature over grilled pork or fish. Stir together 2 cups finely chopped fresh pineapple (about 12 oz.), 2 thinly sliced scallions, 1 seeded and finely chopped…

Olive Oil–Poached Mahimahi with Mediterranean Tomato Sauce HANDS-ON 10 MIN. TOTAL 44 MIN. Poaching the tomatoes and the fish in olive oil adds rich flavor and heart-healthy fat. Not all of the oil is absorbed during cooking, so the fat content is not excessively high. 2 cups olive oil6 plum tomatoes, halved1 fresh rosemary sprig4 (6-oz.) mahimahi steaks½ tsp. kosher salt½ tsp. freshly ground pepper, divided¾ cup pitted kalamata olives, quartered1 Tbsp. capers2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary1 tsp. red wine vinegarChopped fresh rosemary (optional) 1. Heat oil in an 8-inch straight-sided skillet over medium-low 8 minutes. Carefully add tomato halves and rosemary sprig. Cover and poach at a light simmer, adjusting heat as necessary, 10 minutes or until tomatoes are tender. Remove tomatoes from skillet using a slotted spoon; place,…