Resolution Alfredo Sauce

It's resolution time and what does everyone vow to do: lose weight. Most people, including my husband, think that eating lite means eating bland, which is just not the case. Martha's Everyday Food issue for January/February is always her annual Lite Issue and features amazing calorie-cut meals that you can hardly tell a difference from the original.

I actually eat fairly healthy, but the problem is I love tasty food and I eat too much of it, and a lack of exercise, but we are working on that in 2011.

In the spirit of New Year's resolutions to eat better and get fit, I whipped up a lite Alfredo sauce that even impressed myself. Alfredo sauce is a vice I try to avoid except on special occasions like anniversary or birthday because it is so loaded with cheese and fatty cream that even a little bit can mean a lot of calories. But when the occasion calls for it, you should be able to make a tasty, low-calorie substitute that can fool any guest or husband.

Lite Alfredo Sauce

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, preferably fresh

1 cup half and half

3 cups chicken broth

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 tbsp fresh basil

coarse salt/pepper

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Add butter and garlic to a hot pan. Once butter has melted, add flour and stir until mixed. Once butter flour starts to bubble slowly add half and half. Whisk until flour dissolves and mixture thickens. Slowly add chicken broth, one cup at a time. You may want to alternate broth and half and half until you get a color and consistency you like. I was honestly winging this whole Alfredo project, so I am not for sure how much I used of what.

Add fresh cut basil, salt and pepper. I also added a little bit of Italian seasoning, but not much at all. Be sure to taste test your sauce to get the flavor you want. Finally, stir in cheese until melted. The sauce should be thick and coat a spoon.

Now what to do with all this wonderful Alfredo?? We made a linguine dish with basil pasta, spinach and spicy shrimp. But here are some other ideas for using Alfredo:

• Use in place of tomato sauce on pizza
• Add to a white, vegetarian lasagna
• Top soup with a tablespoon for a soup swirl
• substitute cream of chicken in recipes
• add to spinach dips and crab dips to make extra creamy

Whatever you do, please have a happy and safe New Year's celebration. And don't forget to make my Black-eyed Pea Spinach Pie for New Year's Day. Black-eyed peas and greens (spinach) are for good luck and riches in the new year.