The honey, orange and vanilla make a great glaze – just sweet enough without being too sweet. Serve these next to any dish for a colorful and fun carrot recipe.

Buttery Carrots

4 servings
81 calories per serving

2 c diagonally cut carrots
½ c water
2 T honey
1 T light butter
1 t grated orange zest
¼ t vanilla
1/8 t salt

Place carrots and water in a pan and bring to a boil over medium high heat then reduce heat and simmer 8 minutes. Drain and return to pan and add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Cook 1-2 minutes or until the liquid has reduced to a glaze.

You either love scones or hate them – I am a lover This is a great recipe that turns out a delicious fruit and nut scone. The cranberries are just sweet enough without making these too, too sweet. And the pistachios are a nice change from the typical walnuts or pecans found in baked goods.

Cranberry Nut Scones

14 servings
187 calories per serving

3 c flour
1 1/2 t cream of tartar
3/4 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
2 T orange zest
6 T butter
1/3 c Splenda
3/4 c skim milk
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 c chopped pistachios (no salt)
Pam
Some extra water if dough is too dry.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with Pam. Combine flour, tartar, baking soda, salt and zest in a large bowl and cut in butter with a pastry blender ( a hand held tool available at all kitchen goods stores) or pulse in a food processor.

Once crumbly, add Splenda and milk and stir just until moistened. Add cranberries and nuts and pat dough to a 3/4 inch thick circle on a lightly floured surface. If dough is too dry, add a few tablespoons of water but not too much – this is a very dry dough. Use a 2 1/2 round biscuit cutter to make scones (or any other shape – just adjust calories accordingly). Place on baking sheet and cook 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cardamom is a great nutty flavored spice that I have just added to more of my meals. It is a great addition to many dishes and this cake just takes such advantage of its distinct and enticing flavor.

Cardamom Cake

10 servings
281 calories per serving

2 c whole wheat flour
1 t baking soda
1 t ground cardamom
1 T grated orange zest
1 T grated lemon zest
¾ c Egg Beaters
¼ c canola oil
1 ½ c no fat plain yogurt
¼ c honey
1 c chopped prunes or raisins
1 c chopped walnuts
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour with baking soda and cardamom. Beat eggs, oil, yogurt, and honey and then stir into the flour mix until smooth. Fold in fruits and nuts. Pour into a bundt pan sprayed with Pam and bake 45 minutes. Eat plain or sprinkle with powdered sugar.

What a great flavor ! The orange gives these tomatoes a great fresh flavor. Try on your favorite heirloom or farmer’s market tomatoes for a great side dish so low in calories, but so big in flavor !

Citrus Tomatoes

2 servings
36 calories per serving

2 T fresh squeezed orange juice
1 ½ t orange zest
1 ½ t lime zest
1 T lime juice
Dash if kosher salt
Dash of Tabasco sauce
2 small tomatoes, sliced
1 t fresh chives, sliced

Mix together all except tomatoes and chives. Plate tomatoes and drizzle with dressing. Then sprinkle with chives.