Portobello Mushroom Parmesan

A light breading gives the mushrooms a nice crunch and is a great way to get your children to like mushrooms, if they don’t already. This dish is light, but so outrageously satisfying you might want to make double.

Herby Turkey Loaf

Turkey loaf is popular because it represents an alternative to the more traditional red meat options. However, it can be somewhat bland, so I set out to create a recipe that would be loaded with flavor, texture and nutrition. And nothing goes better with turkey than dressing (or stuffing as many refer to it) and a side of fresh cranberry sauce. This favorite from The Meatloaf Bakery will soon become a staple on your plate.

Wine and Chocolate Lava Cakes

If you would rather not have a lava center and just want a moist chocolate cake, add 2 minutes to the baking time. For the wine, you can buy a traditional 750ml bottle and drink the 90 percent of it you don’t use to bake. Or, you can purchase a smaller bottle or box just for cooking. We like the mini Bota Box wines.

Asian-Style Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is a big hit every time I make it. It’s great as an appetizer or as lunch, but can also be a light warm-weather entrée. Studies show that if you beef up dishes such as this one with plenty of bulky vegetables like broccoli, you’ll be satisfied with less calorie intake, which could help with weight loss and, subsequently, blood pressure reduction.