Low Calorie Recipes

Healthier Chocolate and Date Brownie (Bill Granger)

Serves 25
104 calories each

Ingredients: 

• 140g unsalted butter
• 140g pitted dates, finely chopped
• 60g good quality cocoa powder
• 90g wholemeal flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 95g brown sugar
• 3 medium eggs
• 1 tsp natural vanilla extract

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees CELSIUS (sorry guys, I’m an Aussie)
2. Lightly grease a 20cm square baking tin and line the base with baking paper
3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, add the chopped dates, take off the heat and leave to stand for 10 minutes
4. Sift the cocoa powder, flour and baking powder together into a large mixing bowl
5. Add the brown sugar and stir to combine
6. In another bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla together, then stir in the dates and butter
7. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined
8. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 20 minutes or until set
9. Turn out and cool on a wire rack, then cut into squares 

Asian-Style Grilled Tofu With Greens

Serves 6
240 calories per serving

Ingredients:
Dressing:

• 1 small carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup prepared carrot juice
• 2 tbsp white or yellow miso
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 1 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh ginger
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic

Tofu & Greens:

• 28 oz water-packed firm tofu, drained and rinsed
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp black bean garlic sauce
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 10 oz mixed Asian greens or baby spinach

Method:

1. Puree carrot, carrot juice, miso, vinegar, oil, ginger and garlic in a blender or food processor until smooth (this is the dressing)
2. Slice each tofu block crosswise into 5 slices; pat dry with paper towels
3. Combine honey, oil, soy sauce, black bean garlic sauce and garlic in a small bowl
4. Spread half the marinade in a large baking dish and top with the tofu slices
5. Spread the remaining marinade over the tofu, covering completely
6. Preheat grill to medium-high and oil the grill rack (oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack)
7. Grill the tofu until heated through - 2 to 3 minutes per side
8. To serve, toss greens in the dressing, divide among 6 plates and top with the tofu

Wholegrain Zucchini Apple Bread

Serves 10
113 calories per 3/4 inch slice

Ingredients: 

• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1 and 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 cup spelt flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon, ground 
• 1/4 tsp fine seat salt
• 2/3 cup apple, grated
• 1 cup zucchini, grated
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yoghurt
• 1/4 cup raw honey

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit
2. Mist an 8 x 4 inch or 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with cooking spray
3. In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; then set aside
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together apple, zucchini, egg, yoghurt and honey
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and fold until just combined
6. Spread batter into prepared pan and bake until golden brown - 40 to 45 minutes