The tastiest weight-loss recipes: shed pounds and get energized with these low-calorie, full-flavored meals and snacks from the country's top spa chefs - Diet Makeover

Shape, April, 2004 by Nancy Gottesman

Meanwhile, to make the coulis, in a small saucepan combine vegetable broth and cornstarch. Set pan over medium heat and simmer 2-3 minutes, stirring, until broth thickens. Remove from heat and transfer broth to a blender or food processor. Add next 9 ingredients and puree until smooth. Strain excess liquid off the mixture through a fine sieve.

Steam broccoli over Ssimmering water or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, until crisp-tender.

To serve, arrange chicken on individual plates and top each chicken breast with 2 tablespoons coulis. Serve with steamed broccoli and Red Mountain French Fries (recipe below) on the side.

Nutrition Score per serving (1 chicken breast half, 2 tablespoons coulis, 1/2 cup broccoli): 267 calories, 20% fat (6 g; 1 g saturated), 34% carbs (23 g), 46% protein (31 g), 7 g fiber, 85 mg calcium, 3 mg iron, 349 mg sodium.

*To fire-roast peppers, place whole peppers under broiler and cook until blackened on all sides, turning frequently (approximately 3-5 minutes). Place blackened peppers in bowl covered with plastic wrap and allow to steam for 3 minutes. Remove blackened skin, halve and remove seeds.

Red Mountain French Fries

Serves 4
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 16-20 minutes

Cooking spray
1  tablespoon olive oil
2  teaspoons Dijon mustard
1  teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1  pound unpeeled russet potatoes, cut into strips (like french fries)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 325[degrees]F. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper or wax paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, mustard and lemon juice. Add potatoes and toss to coat.

Spread potatoes out on prepared pan and bake 16-20 minutes, until light brown and tender. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve alongside the oven-roasted chicken, coulis and broccoli.

Nutrition Score per serving (4 ounces): 157 calories, 21% fat (4 g; <1 g saturated), 72% carbs (28 g), 7% protein (3 g), 3 g fiber, 15 mg calcium, 2 mg iron, 128 mg sodium.

DESSERT

From Lake Austin Spa Resort near Austin, Texas

Why we love this recipe Rich and decadent-tasting, this pie is lower in fat than the traditional version--thanks to the lowfat and fat-free cream cheeses and reduced-fat graham crackers.

Chocolate Cream Pie

Serves 12
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Chilling time: 3 hours

Cooking spray
 5     reduced-fat graham crackers (such as Keebler Low Fat Honey
       Grahams)
 4     teaspoons light butter, melted
  1/3  cup cocoa powder
  1/3  cup warm water
 1     envelope unflavored gelatin
 1     14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
 1     ounce semisweet chocolate, melted
12     ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened at room temperature for 15
       minutes
 4     ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened at room temperature for
       15 minutes
  1/2  teaspoon vanilla extract
 3     cups fat-free whipped topping

Preheat oven to 350[degrees]F. Spray a 9-inch springform pan (a pan with removable bottom) with cooking spray.

In a food processor, grind graham crackers into fine crumbs. Transfer crumbs to a large bowl and add the melted butter. Mix well and press the mixture into the bottom of prepared pan. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes.