A Lighter Mother’s Day Menu

It’s natural to want to spoil Mom with decadent treats on Mother’s Day. But today is about what she wants, even if that means trimming the calories from her celebratory meal. If creamy pastas and dense chocolate cake aren’t her preference this year, don’t worry: There are plenty of light, seasonal options to work with. Here are a few recipes for a fresh and colorful celebration that will leave Mom feeling satisfied, energized and appreciated.

Crustless Caprese Quiche (pictured at top)
If you’re honoring Mom with a special brunch, consider this riff on the classic caprese salad, a composed arrangement of fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil. This creamy quiche tastes as irresistible as it looks, especially when tomatoes are at their peak. No one will believe there are just 258 calories per serving, thanks to the reduced-fat milk, ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

Grilled Strawberry Kebabs with Lemon-Mint Sauce
Skip butter-laden baked goods and satisfy Mom’s sweet tooth with these juicy strawberry kebabs sweetened with pure maple syrup. The plump, smoky berries make an unforgettable brunch or dessert item, especially when drizzled with the lemon-mint sauce. Try them over yogurt or even low-fat pound cake.

Healthy Lemony Yogurt Loaf Cake
Speaking of cake, this heart-healthy option has a texture similar to the classic pound cake but calls for olive oil and protein-rich Greek yogurt in place of butter. Egg whites also help reduce calories, fat and cholesterol, and the whole-wheat flour boosts fiber.

Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe Pesto
If you’re going the dinner route this Mother’s Day, this festive spring pasta dish is just the thing. The combination of crunchy pistachios, broccoli rabe and part-skim ricotta makes for an earthy dish that isn’t overly decadent.

Roasted Salmon with Shallot-Grapefruit Sauce
These delicate roasted salmon fillets rely on the bold taste of grapefruit, shallot and ginger to add big flavor without a ton of fat and calories.

Raspberry-Vanilla Tartlets
Round out a light Mother’s Day menu with these adorable portion-controlled tartlets filled with smooth vanilla cream. Raspberries make the perfect jewel-toned toppers, but you can also use blueberries, sliced strawberries or sliced bananas—whichever Mom prefers.

from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/1Ir9rR8