Blog Posts by CookingLight.com

Seven top diet and cancer professionals (including an oncologist with culinary training, an integrative medicine nutritionist, and a chef) share tips and advice for what to eat when battling cancer to help bring joy back to the table. By: Maureen Callahan, MS, RD | Text: Maureen Callahan, MS, RD

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The Best Light Beers

All light beers claim real-beer flavor. These four quenched best.

Mass-marketed light beer horrifies some of the microbrew purists, but we were excited to do a blind tasting to see which light beers, if any, retained enough flavor and body to satisfy after having some of their carbs removed. This does save calories: Regular beer contains about 150 calories in 12 ounces, while light versions range from ultralight 55-calorie beers to moderately light versions with up to 125 calories. None of these match the body or flavor of your average brew-pub lager, but we did find four that we're happy to serve when the goal is icy, beery, light refreshment on a sizzling summer day.

See More: 5 Super Bowl Food Makeovers

BEST PREMIUM: Sam Adams Light, $7.97 (6-pack bottled)
Sam Adams' light offering is premium indeed. It features a thicker body and more substantial mouthfeel than others we tested. Its mild sweetness was balanced by a nutty flavor. Overall a great, well-rounded

Bacon MacOur version of comforting mac and cheese adds smoky bacon to the decadent cheese sauce for a whole new dimension, but still manages to keep the calories under 400 per serving. Serve with a green salad with a nice tart dressing―the acidity will help balance the creaminess of the sauce.

Bacon Mac

Ingredients

3 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
12 ounces strozzapreti or penne pasta
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups skim milk, divided
2 cups finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 slices center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
Cooking spray

See More: Comfort Food Dinner Recipes

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Bring 6 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil. Add pasta; cook 8 minutes or until al dente; drain.

3. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Gradually add 1 cup milk; bring to a boil. Cook 1

Chicken with Pepperoni-Marinara Sauce

Commercial marinara sauce and quick-cooking chicken cutlets give you a jump start on dinner when preparing this Italian-inspired chicken entree. Pepperoni slices and shredded mozzarella make this meal appealing to kids and adults alike.

Chicken with Pepperoni-Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

Cooking spray
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
16 slices pepperoni, coarsely chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 cups lower-sodium marinara sauce (such as McCutcheon's)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds chicken cutlets
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

See More: Superfast Kid-Friendly Recipes

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler to high.

2. Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add garlic and pepperoni; cook 2 minutes or until garlic begins to brown, stirring frequently. Add oregano; cook 30 seconds. Add marinara

Smart Ideas for Breakfast on the Go

Set yourself up for healthy-breakfast success by stocking your shelves with items you can grab and go. By Nicci Micco

1. Single-serving bowls of whole-grain cereal are packed with vitamins and minerals.

2. Pair string cheese with whole wheat crackers.

3. Hard-boil several eggs to have on hand for busy mornings.

See More: Grab-and-Go Quick Breakfast Recipes

4. Small cartons of low-fat yogurt are a good combination of carbohydrates and protein.

5. Whole-grain English muffins can serve as a base for a breakfast sandwich. Spread on peanut butter, a source of satisfying protein and heart-healthy fats.

6. Make breakfast wraps with whole wheat tortillas; roll in lean protein, such as turkey and low-fat cheese, scrambled eggs with diced peppers and onions, or peanut butter and bananas.

See More: 100-Calorie Oatmeal Toppings

7. Keep low-fat cheese slices on hand for breakfast sandwiches.

8. Single-serving cartons of low-fat, low-sodium cottage cheese

Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and NutsKids like the chewy gnocchi, sweet broccoli, and crunchy nuts. Look for shelf-stable packaged gnocchi with the dried pasta.

Browned Butter Gnocchi with Broccoli and Nuts

Ingredients

2 (16-ounce) packages prepared gnocchi (such as Gia Russa)
5 cups chopped broccoli florets
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
1.5 ounces shaved fresh pecorino Romano cheese (about 1/3 cup)

See More: Superfast Kid-Friendly Recipes

Preparation

1. Cook gnocchi in a large Dutch oven according to package directions. Add broccoli during last minute of cooking; cook 1 minute. Drain.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and oil; cook 7 minutes or until butter browns. Add gnocchi mixture and pepper to pan; toss to coat. Spoon about 1 1/2 cups gnocchi mixture into each of 6 shallow bowls. Sprinkle each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons pine nuts and about 2

Loaded Potato Soup

Make this reviewer favorite the star attraction of your soup night. Kids of all ages will enjoy topping it with bacon and cheese.

Loaded Potato Soup

Ingredients

4 (6-ounce) red potatoes
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup prechopped onion
1 1/4 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 bacon slices, halved
1.5 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1/3 cup)
4 teaspoons thinly sliced green onions

See More: Superfast Soup

Preparation

1. Pierce potatoes with a fork. Microwave on HIGH 13 minutes or until tender. Cut in half; cool slightly.

2. While potatoes cook, heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add broth. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk; add to pan with 1 1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; stir often. Cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in sour

Make your Friday nights lighter with these four frozen pizza pies.

If pizza is your no-cook movie-night choice, good news: The latest batch in the frozen-food aisle is healthier and tastier. And they're easy to jazz up with extra toppings.

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