Free Recipes | Easy & Healthy Cooking

Who says you have to leave chocolate or desserts out when trying to eat healthy? You don’t have to deprive yourself of those oh-so-decadent desserts if you make good food choices in the rest of your diet. Low fat, fat-free, and sugar-free ingredients are a great way to incorporate desserts of ...

This tasty burger is great for those who are trying to cut back on their meat intake. The sautéed vegetables give it a low-fat twist. For something a little different, try a couple of fresh basil leaves on each sandwich instead of the lettuce leaves. You can also make a great ...

Turkey is easy to cook and adapts to many different flavorings, like this homemade Herb Marinade. Grilling your turkey makes it even more of a snap. Adding the grilled vegetables means less time in the kitchen. Turkey is also quite healthy. Both the white and dark meat contain many nutrients, ...

These healthy Pumpkin Pie Whole Wheat Muffins are great for a quick breakfast or a late afternoon snack. Most whole wheat flours are ground from red wheat, which leaves the flour with a bitter taste. Whole white-wheat is ground from wheat grains that give us healthier flour along with better taste. Whole ...

Finding appetizers or party foods that are healthy can be hard to accomplish. These Cheesy Ranch Tortilla Rolls are healthy, and they taste great too. Be careful when chopping the peppers. Use disposable gloves if you have them, and don’t rub your face or eyes unless your hands are thoroughly washed. ...

This is a great dip to show your children how to make a wonderful after-school snack. Use cut-up apples, oranges, or banana slices for dipping. Even grapes taste great when used with this sweet dip. It can also be used as a spread on graham crackers.

Here’s a hint: If you are ...

Most kids love fish sticks, and this is a way to change up their way of eating them while also helping them to eat a few more of those dreaded veggies. If your children prefer tartar sauce with their fish, spread it on the buns instead of making the taco mix.

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Being in the kitchen can be a lot of fun, not only for children but also their adult helpers. Be sure to teach your children about kitchen safety. Remind them of hot water, sharp knives, and hot cooking surfaces. Teaching them safety in the kitchen also teaches them good habits that ...

During Sunday night's season finale, three potential Food Network finalists met with executives Bob Tuschman, Susie Fogelson, and celebrity chef Bobby Flay as the final results of "The Next Food Network Star" were revealed. And the winner of Season 6 is Aarti Sequeira, a 31-year-old food blogger ...

Kids of all shapes and sizes enjoy a good pizza, but when they can make it themselves, it’s even better. These quesadillas are perfect for them to cook. Make sure they don’t fill them too full, though, or all the goodies will end up in the pan instead of their quesadillas.

Ask ...

One of the best ways to teach a child how to cook is by baking. This recipe is very simple and makes a great beginning recipe for children just learning to cook. These muffins will disappear pretty quickly, but just in case there are leftovers, they can be frozen and reheated ...

These are fun little nibblers to take on a picnic or to serve as a summertime appetizer.  They are also great rolled in toasted pecans or walnuts. 

Ingredients:

3/4 C flaked coconut
1 (3 oz.) block cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 C chicken, cooked and chopped
2 Tbsp. onion, minced
1 Tbsp. ...

In an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep, food writer and celebrity Nigella Lawson offered her insight to keep cool and refreshed throughout the remainder of the summer.

Her recommendations include a watermelon/feta salad, red currant sorbet, minted limeade, chilled caramelized oranges with yogurt, and of course lemonade -- but not just ...

Any type of deli turkey breast works with this sandwich. Try honey-roasted with mustard and mayonnaise spread.  Just replace the garlic sauce and lime juice with a tablespoon of mustard.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp. chili garlic sauce
½ c. mayonnaise
3 Tbsp. scallions, sliced
1 lb. oven-roasted turkey breast, deli style
12 slices ...

This is a simple recipe that results in a great-tasting meal. Use any type of tomatoes you wish, including pre-seasoned varieties. If you prefer, you may add 2 tsp. of mixed herb seasoning with the tomatoes instead of adding Italian seasoning.

Ingredients:

1 turkey breast, cut into 1-inch slices
1 (16 oz.) ...

The only hard part about making these rolls is waiting on the dough to rise before you can bake them. If you prefer just a regular glaze, you may omit the maple syrup. Try these rolls for breakfast or brunch and see how fast they go.

Ingredients

1/3 C + 1 ...

There is always an overabundance of summer squash in the garden. Whether it is zucchini, crookneck, or any of the other types of summer squash available, there’s always more than we can use or give away. Because the skins are thin and edible, there is no need to peel your squash ...

This is a great budget side dish or dessert to make with those last little bits of summer berries. Use whatever types of berries are on sale, or scrounge up the ones still sitting in your fridge that need to be used soon. The whole family will enjoy it. To use ...

Baked beans are always a favorite. These are even better because they are quick and economical. Have leftovers? Stir in some browned ground beef with onion, and serve over biscuits for a delicious next-night meal.

Ingredients:

1 (15 oz.) can pork and beans
1 (15 oz.) can Great Northern beans, rinsed and ...

Buying day-old bread is much cheaper than buying the fresh stuff. For recipes such as this, it works perfectly. Homemade cheese bread is also much cheaper than pre-packaged bread, and it takes just a little time to prepare. To turn this into garlic cheese bread, spread on garlic butter instead of ...

Kids love these little sandwiches.  They make a great lunchbox meal that they are sure to eat.  Cut them into bite-size pieces for easy snacks or party treats, too.

Ingredients:

2 medium Washington apples, cored but not peeled
1 C water
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 Tbsp. mayonnaise style salad dressing
3 Tbsp. mustard
6 (12 ...

If you like chocolate, you’ll love these little treats. Want more chocolate? Use chocolate-flavored crisped rice cereal instead of the regular variety. These Crunchers will stay fresh in an airtight container for up 4 days. Do not refrigerate, or they will become too hard to eat.

Ingredients:

8 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/3 C unsweetened ...

Canned carrots will retain their sweet flavor, and the texture will be perfect for any dish you use them in. To check the seals to ensure the jars have sealed correctly, wait until the jars have cooled completely (which can take up to 24 hours). Push the center of lid, and ...

Who doesn’t love some good strawberry jam? No reason to wait for the strawberry season, because this jam is just as good as any jam made from fresh strawberries. If you grow your own strawberries, slice them and freeze them to use later in this tasty jam. Powdered pectin comes in ...

As this salsa cools and then sets, the heat of the jalapenos will get stronger. Use less jalapenos if you prefer a milder salsa. This salsa will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. Use it on all of your favorite Mexican foods or as a dip with ...

There’s nothing like canned raspberries to add to your smoothies, pies, or morning pancakes. Any soft berry such as blackberries may be canned using this method. Remember to choose berries that are not soft or mushy. Handle the berries as little as possible, but be sure to wash and drain them ...

Peppers make a great addition to any recipe, especially when sautéed with onions. Use all four colors of peppers together if you wish. Mix and match the colors any way you like to make a pretty jar of delicious, sweet bell peppers. Always choose firm peppers to get the best results. ...

Who doesn’t love sweet corn, especially in the summertime? Yet having that fresh corn taste in the middle of a cold winter is a great way to fight off those winter blues. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using a pressure canner. Also, never drop the pressure by using cold water. ...

This cool, colorful gelatin salad is appealing to look at, and it’s heaven to the taste buds. Fruit is a necessary part of a healthy diet, and this salad has it all. Frozen cranberries may be used in place of the fresh cranberries if you wish. Turn this delightful dish into ...

This light but tasty soup is a great side dish to any sandwich. For an even healthier lunch, serve this soup with a light salad. Remember, soup is not only a comfort food but can provide nutrients and vitamins our bodies need to stay healthy. If you prefer, you can use ...

This healthy wrap is enhanced by the lime juice marinade. Low on fat but high on taste, this fajita wrap will ensure a healthy lunch for the entire family. Use any type of bell peppers you like including yellow, orange, or even purple. The colorful vegetables help when it comes to ...

Salmon is an oily fish that is full of omega-3 fatty acids. Be careful not to overcook your salmon. The rule of thumb for cooking fish that is used by most professional cooks is to measure it at the thickest area. Cook the fish for 10 minutes per inch. If you’re ...

What a truly yummy (and healthy) fruit dessert. You can make it even more patriotic for this weekend by adding some frozen mini blueberries in the mix.

To pit cherries easily, use a paper clip. Lift the small curve of the clip and bend it back. Bend the tip slightly. Remove the ...

If you are on a low cholesterol diet or just watching your cholesterol intake, this omelet is perfect for you. The egg substitute lowers the cholesterol in this recipe. If you prefer, whole eggs may be used in place of the egg substitute. The cream cheese gives this nutritious breakfast a ...

These make a great appetizer when you have company over. Believe it or not, the potato skins are where most of your nutrients are found in potatoes. Serve these with a light blue cheese dressing as a dip. Use the reserved potato pulp to make a chunky potato soup or for ...

These tasty little cookies are great for an after-dinner dessert, when company is coming, or with a nice cup of coffee in the middle of the afternoon. You can use any type of filling you like such as cherries and pecans, or peaches and walnuts. Experiment to find the perfect filling ...

Waffles are an easy and delicious way to serve breakfast to a few or to a crowd. These waffles are light, fluffy, and full of great taste. To keep them healthy, top them with fresh berries instead of syrup.

Ingredients:

2 C flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 ...

This nutritious meal makes a great Sunday dinner. The parsnips take place of those starchy potatoes and they taste just as good. Vegetables are a good source of nutrition, and often we leave these important foods out of our diets. With this dish, you can have your cake and eat it ...

Jerk seasoning can be found in a powder form, a dry paste, or even a marinade. Many people enjoy making their own. The essential ingredients for jerk seasoning include allspice, hot chilies, salt, and thyme. Many people enjoy adding their own special touch by including garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, brown sugar, ...

This chicken dish is a great quick meal for a weeknight dinner. To clean watercress, cut about 1 in. off the bottom of the bunch before untying it. Wash it under cold water and let it drain well. Tear into smaller pieces or leave it whole if you prefer. Watercress has ...

This summer platter is great for a late lunch on a hot day. Just place mounds of the ingredients onto the platter and add a loaf of crusty bread and enjoy. Substitute chicken, turkey, or even pork for the tuna if you wish.

Ingredients:

Water
1/4 tsp. salt
8 oz. fresh green beans, ...

Soup is not only a comfort food but also very nutritious. A good bowl of soup helps to fight off hunger, fills us up, and provides valuable vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to stay healthy.

This recipe may be doubled if you prefer. That way, there will always be soup ...

This Red Delicious Chicken Salad is a delicious change from your everyday chicken salad. You can add a few chopped grapes if you want to change the taste slightly.

Ingredients:

1/2 C plain yogurt
1/2 C mayonnaise
1 Red Delicious apple, cored and chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
3 Tbsp. sweet onion, finely chopped
1/4 tsp. ...

This protein-packed dinner has all your food groups in one meal. It’s eggs benedict at suppertime. The smoked cheese takes the place of a hollandaise sauce and gives these little gems a more flavorful taste as well as cutting down your preparation time. For a softer egg, allow them to simmer ...

There’s nothing that cools you down on a hot summer day than fresh melon. This fruit dish is no exception. Seedless grapes, sliced strawberries, or any of your favorite berries may also be added or used in place of the peaches and blueberries.

Ingredients:

1 C water
3/4 C sugar
3 Tbsp. ...

The vinegar and thyme are what give these mushrooms their vibrant taste. Grilling mushrooms gives them a caramelized taste. Serve these burgers with a side salad of all your favorite veggies for a great summertime lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

4 large Portobello mushroom caps
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 Tbsp. ...

When roasted, pork often becomes quite dry --but by adding a filling such as this cheese stuffing, the pork will come out moist and very tasty.

Serve the roast with a cream sauce to pour over each delicious slice. To make a cream sauce, sauté a little chopped onion in butter until ...

Broiling quesadillas is time-saving in more ways than one. First, it allows you to cook all your quesadillas at once instead of one at a time as you would in a skillet. It also helps in keeping the filling inside the tortilla because there is no turning and no chance of ...

If you live in area known for its fish, you know that fried fish ranks at the top of fried foods. This recipe gives you something a little different to look forward to. If you are new to the taste of fried fish, Lemon Battered Fried Fish Bites are a great ...

This complete dinner takes about 20 minutes to prepare and cook. It just doesn’t get any better than that. If you prefer, you can use brown sugar over the yams instead of honey.

Ingredients:

2 pork steaks, trimmed
2 dehydrated pineapple slices
2 yams
1 C chicken broth
1 C frozen peas and pearl onions
1 ...