Instructions: 1) Make "rich" cream soups by using powdered milk mixed double strength.

Potato soup, cream of mushroom soup, etc., will taste just as good, but have practically zero fat.

2. Turkey bacon and turkey ham taste pretty darned close to the real thing with FAR less fat. Im not as crazy about them plain, but they flavor recipes very well. Crumble turkey bacon or chop turkey ham and put into the potato soup from above. Add them to your favorite casserole recipe. Or even add them to a pot of beans. Your husband will at least get the flavors he craves.

3. Sometimes low-fat or fat-free sour cream can help ease the craving for cheese. (I dont like the fat-free cheeses very much.) The sour creams on the market today taste very close to the full-fat versions, and can be made into the same dips, etc. Stir in some ranch dressing mix or onion soup mix & let him dip baked potato chips or cut veggies. It isnt the same as a drippy cheeseburger, but at least it feels a little rich!

4. Use more seasonings/flavorings. Itll be harder to miss the cheese in fajitas if you use a little more seasoning and an extra dollop of grilled onions/bell peppers. Add a little extra garlic to lean beef stew and itll seem richer. And use low-salt chicken or beef broth (normally fat-free anyway) in dishes you usually make with water. Sometimes even a little extra salt helps when youve cut the amount of butter in a dish (i.e. mashed potatoes). Anytime you cook, just remember that an increase in flavor helps mask a decrease in fat.

Having said that, here are a few of my favorite deceptively low-fat recipes: Summer Queso
2 (8-oz.)

pkg. low-fat or fat-free cream cheese, softened 1 can diced tomatoes & green chiles (Ro-Tel)

In a small bowl, combine cream cheese with half of tomatoes until well blended; stir in remaining tomatoes. Chill and serve with baked tortilla chips or vegetable dippers. Also makes a great baked potato topper instead of cheese and sour cream.

Santa Fe Crockpot Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts OR 4 lean, trimmed 1 inch pork chops 1 can black beans, drained
2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
2 c. chunky salsa (we like "Hot")

Spread about 1/2 c. salsa in bottom of crockpot. Arrange chicken in single layer over salsa, sprinkling generously with salt and pepper. Add beans and corn; top with remaining salsa and cook on Low for 6-8 hrs. Serve with rice or baked tortilla chips if desired. We like to let it go the full 8 hrs., when the chicken falls apart. At that point, we serve it like chili.

At my house, we usually call this one "3-B Dinner". If you use really lean
meat, it makes a very hearty guilt-free "comfort" food.

Flemish Carbonades
2 to 3 lbs. very lean boneless beef, cut into 1 inch cubes (can use LEAN pork loin)

1 lge. onion, thinly sliced
1 to 2 carrots, sliced (opt.)

1 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
2 to 3 slices turkey bacon, cooked & crumbled 1 (12-oz.)

can beer (non-alcoholic is fine)

4 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup water
In crock pot, layer meat, onions, and carrots. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic, and turkey bacon. Pour beer over all. Cover and cook on Low for 5-7 hrs. or until beef is tender. Increase heat to High. Dissolve cornstarch in water and stir into crock pot mixture. Continue cooking on High 20-30 min. or until slightly thickened. Serve over rice or noodles.

Reheats well.

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