No.2 The Yummiest Comfort Food Recipes (That Aren't That Bad For You) - Women Compus - Women Campus

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This appetizer wins the award for most misleading recipe. Many would think that a dip made of spinach and artichokes would be healthy, but this dish is often loaded with mayonnaise, sour cream, and cheese, packing on tons of extra fat and calories. Some restaurant recipes for spinach & artichoke dip can run calorie counts higher than most entrees, negating any nutritional power those veggies could have provided.

One of HC’s editorial interns, Nikki Fig, found a way to lighten up this traditional dip with a little help from her aunt Mikki. “My version is fat-free! I started making it after devouring it at my aunt's house a few years ago,” she explained. “I also serve it with mushrooms and other veggies, in addition to crackers, so people can skip the carbs from the crackers if they want to. I love indulging over the holidays and I always feel satisfied when I eat this dip, even though it's only a fourth of the calories!”

Nikki & Mikki’s Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Ingredients:

• 2-4 cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 1 cup fat-free parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
• garlic powder to taste
• 1 or 2 10 oz. pkgs. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained well

Preparations:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a casserole sprayed with Pam (or other cooking spray).
2. Bake at 425 degrees for almost an hour so it gets really crispy on top. (The time may vary depending on the oven).

Eggnog

This creamy holiday drink gives new meaning to the phrase "liquid calories." Made with tons of sugar, whipping cream, rum, and eggs, one glass of eggnog can be over 300 calories and have almost a day's worth of sugar! Lighten up your ‘nog by replacing heavy cream with low-fat or fat-free milk, and use egg whites to lessen the cholesterol. You can also opt for spiced cider over eggnog for your holiday drink.
If you absolutely cannot go without this rich treat, make this recipe from Sizzlin' Chef for Healthy Egg Nog, which achieves the same thick, creamy texture by simmering milk with sugar and using fewer egg yolks.
Healthy Egg Nog
Ingredients:

• 3 large eggs
• 3 large egg whites
• 5 1/2 cup(s) low-fat milk
• 1/2 cup(s) sugar
• 2 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
• Salt
• 2 tablespoon(s) vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) (plus additional for sprinkling) ground nutmeg
• 1/3 cup(s) dark Jamaican rum (optional)

Preparations:

1. In bowl, with whisk, beat eggs and egg whites until blended; set aside. In heavy 4-quart saucepan, with heat-safe spatula, mix 4 cups milk with sugar, cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook on medium-high until mixture boils and thickens slightly, stirring constantly.
2. Boil 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat.
3. Gradually whisk 1/2 cup simmering milk mixture into eggs; pour egg mixture back into milk in saucepan, whisking constantly, to make custard.
4. Pour custard into large bowl; stir in vanilla, nutmeg, rum, if using, and remaining 1 1/2 cups milk. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 6 hours or up to 2 days. Sprinkle eggnog with nutmeg to serve. Makes about 6 1/2 cups.