Grilled Portobello-Goat Cheese Pitas

Courtesy of Alison Lewis

If the tomatoes are ripe, skip grilling them. Serve with a tropical fruit salad of mangoes, cantaloupe, and pineapple sprinkled with toasted coconut.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 topped pita)

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 teaspoons bottled minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 4 (6-inch) pita rounds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1 (6-ounce) package portobello mushrooms
• 2 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1/3 cup (3 ounces) goat cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Preparation

Preheat a grill pan over medium heat.

Combine garlic and oil; brush evenly over pitas. Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper evenly over pitas. Place pitas in pan, and cook 2 minutes on each side or until toasted.

Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper evenly over mushrooms and tomatoes. Place mushrooms in pan; cook 6 minutes or until tender, turning once. Remove mushrooms from pan. Add tomatoes to pan; cook 1 minute.

Spread goat cheese evenly over pitas. Arrange the mushrooms and tomatoes evenly over pitas. Sprinkle with chopped basil.

Tex-Mex Pasta Salad

Recipe Courtsey of David Bonom

This kid-friendly recipe is a takeoff on macaroni and cheese; it makes a large batch that holds well for two or three days. Serve with pickled jalapeño slices for grownups who like spicy food.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: about 1 1/3 cups)

Ingredients

• 1 pound uncooked radiatore pasta (short coiled pasta)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 (1.25-ounce) package 40%-less-sodium taco seasoning (such as Old El Paso)
• 2 cups (8 ounces) preshredded reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese
• 2 cups chopped seeded tomato
• 1 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
• 1 (15.5-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 (8-ounce) container reduced-fat sour cream
• Salsa (optional)

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain; set aside.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add turkey; cook until browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in water and taco seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 4 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates and the turkey is done, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; cool slightly.

Combine pasta, turkey mixture, reduced-fat cheese, and next 6 ingredients (through beans) in a large bowl.

Combine lime juice, salt, cumin, and sour cream, stirring until well blended. Pour over pasta mixture; toss gently to coat. Serve with salsa, if desired.

Romaine and Turkey Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Recipe Courtesy of Nancy Hughes

Chop oven-roasted turkey breast from the deli counter into chunks for a quick start on this salad. With crisp parmesan toasts, it's a complete meal.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups salad and 2 cheese toasts)

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon light mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1/2 ripe peeled avocado, seeded and coarsely mashed
• 8 (1/2-ounce) slices diagonally cut French bread (about 1/2 inch thick)
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) preshredded Parmesan cheese
• 4 cups bagged chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 cups diced roasted turkey breast (about 8 ounces)
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Combine first 7 ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth, scraping sides. Set aside.

Preheat broiler.

Arrange bread slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons cheese on each bread slice. Broil bread slices 2 minutes or until lightly browned.

Combine lettuce and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle buttermilk mixture over lettuce mixture; toss gently to coat. Serve with cheese toasts.