---

Well, we made it through 2007 and what happens when we start with a new calendar? I don't know about you, but I page through my low-fat cookbook, looking for something that sounds good and isn't quite as fattening as the food I've been eating over the past month or so. I must admit, I did pretty well with not gaining those extra pounds that I thought I would. Discipline, discipline and staying out of the pantry cupboard where the snacks lay waiting for me to "just have a handful" of something that I could get along without. I've been buying Braeburn apples, pears and oranges (especially the little easy-to-peel Clementines) when I think I need something to eat. So far, so good. I did find some good low-fat recipes and have tried two of them so far. Very good. Perhaps you might like them, too.

+++++

Just 28 mg cholesterol, 36 gm carbs and 4 gm saturated fat per one cup serving in the this dish.

FETTUCCINE

WITH CHICKEN

8 oz. spinach fettuccine (can use regular fettuccine if you wish)

1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes

1 c. skim milk (can use powdered milk and make one cup according to directions)

1/4 c. lite margarine

3/4 c. non-fat Parmesan cheese (if you can't find non-fat, use regular Parmesan but only about 1/2 c.)

3/4 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. pepper

Cook fettuccine according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, that has been coated with non-stick cooking spray, cook chicken until no longer pink in center of cubes. Drain fettuccine; add to skillet. Add milk and margarine. Stir in rest of ingredients; heat through but don't boil or it might curdle. Makes 6 servings.

+++++

SIMPLE SALISBURY STEAK

1 egg

1/3 c. dry bread crumbs

1 - 10-3/4 oz. can reduced fat, reduced sodium, cream of mushroom soup, divided

1/4 c. minced onion

1 lb. lean ground beef (or 1 lb. ground venison or moose)

cooking spray

1/2 c. skim milk

1/4 t. salt

1-1/2 c. sliced fresh mushrooms (can use two 4 oz. cans mushrooms, drained)

In a bowl, combine egg, bread crumbs, 1/4 c. of the soup and onion. (If you can't find the soup that's low-fat, etc., eliminate the salt). Add the ground beef, mixing well. Shape into six patties.

In a large non-stick skillet, spray skillet with cooking spray. Brown the patties on both sides; drain off any fat.

In a bowl, combine milk, salt and rest of the soup; stir in mushrooms. Pour over patties. Lower heat; cover and simmer 15-20 minutes or until meat is no longer pink in center. Makes six servings.

One patty equals 11 gm carbs, 3 gm saturated fat, 67 mg cholesterol.

Serve with mashed potatoes, a veggie, a lettuce salad with low-fat dressing and you have a tastefully delicious low-fat meal.

+++++

ITALIAN BROCCOLI BAKE

2 c. fat-free cottage cheese

2 egg whites

1/4 c. Parmesan cheese

3 T. flour

1/2 t. Italian seasoning

1 large bunch of broccoli, sliced lengthwise into spears

1 c. reduced sodium spaghetti sauce

1 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

In a blender or food processor, put first five ingredients; cover and process until smooth.* Set aside.

Put broccoli and a small amount of water in a skillet; cover and cook 5-8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain.

Put half of the broccoli, in a single layer, in a 9x13 baking pan, coated with cooking spray. Top with cottage cheese mixture and rest of broccoli. Pour spaghetti sauce over broccoli; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let stand for five minutes before serving. Makes nine servings.

*If you don't have either of the appliances, use a hand mixer, in a deep bowl and mix until well combined.

+++++

Could we have a dessert, please? Sure we can.

LOW-FAT DOUBLE-APPLE CAKE

3 egg whites

1-1/2 c. sugar (I use half sugar and half Splenda.)

1 c. applesauce

1 t. vanilla

2 c. flour

1-1/2 t. cinnamon

1 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

4 c. peeled, cored, thinly sliced tart apples (like Granny Smith or Haralsons)

lite whipped topping (optional)

In a large bowl, beat egg whites until slightly foamy; stir in sugar, applesauce and vanilla.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; add to applesauce mixture and blend well.

Arrange apple slices evenly over bottom of a lightly greased (or sprayed) 9x13 inch baking pan. Slowly pour batter over apples and spread evenly. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or till a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve with a dollop of whipped topping (or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if you dare). Makes 12 servings.

+++++

We wish you the best of health and happiness in this New Year. Smile a lot, speak kindly to others (especially your family), give lots of hugs (if you can get away with it), and enjoy each new day to its fullest.

+++++

In a previous column, before Christmas, I talked about bringing food for the food shelf and pertaining to what the person's likes are and having the foods represent them. I was right -- each person opened their box of foods and we had to guess who the foods represented. The person who got the most correct received a prize. The prize was he had to bring the food to the food shelf.

---