When baking, substitute some butter or oil with pureed fruit like applesauce or pureed pears, using equal volumes fruit for fat. Add only half the extras the recipe calls for, like chocolate chips, candy pieces or coconut. Toast nuts and spices to enhance flavor. Chop finely and distribute evenly. Serve hot baked breads stuffed with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese.
Stuffed breads make fabulous lower-fat appetizers.
Season mashed potatoes with plenty of garlic and herbs instead of butter. Fold in mashed potatoes and low fat milk. Whisk up low-fat milk, flour, salt, pepper and a pinch of grated, dry jack cheese. Top desserts with fat-free frozen yogurt or whipped evaporated skim milk. Romaniw is the Community Nutritionist for the Fraser Valley Health Region in Abbotsford, B.C., Canada.