Sleuth’s Corner

Q. My daughter loves chicken menesiers but has moved to California where you can’t buy them at the bakery like you do in Miami. Can anyone give me a recipe?

Irene, Miami

Dessert

Deliver Lean’s Low-Fat Maple Cheesecake

You can make 12 individual portions (see photo) in a muffin tin, reducing the baking time accordingly.

8 ounces cinnamon graham cracker crumbs

1 tablespoon low-fat margarine (Smart Balance preferred)

3 bricks (24 ounces) low-fat cream cheese

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon light maple syrup

4 egg whites

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor until crumbled. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons water and the margarine; pulse until moistened.

Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray and press the crumbs onto the bottom and halfway up the sides. Bake until browned, about 8 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and sugar with a mixer on medium-high about 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Beat in flour and maple syrup.

In a separate bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until they just hold stiff peaks. Whisk about one fourth of them into the cream cheese mixture, and fold in the rest.

Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Place in a roasting pan and add enough warm water to come one-quarter of the way up the sides. Bake until the cake is set but the center still jiggles, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Turn off the oven. Leave cheesecake inside with the door closed for 20 minutes.

Remove cake from the water bath and transfer to a rack. Run a knife around the edge, then cool completely. Chill until firm, at least 8 hours. Makes 12 servings.

Per serving: 300 calories (38 percent from fat), 12.8 g fat (6.9 g saturated, 3.9 g monounsaturated), 33 mg cholesterol, 8.6 g protein, 38 g carbohydrates, 0.5 g fiber, 277 mg sodium.

Salad

Marinated Carrots (Copper Penny Salad)

2 pounds carrots , peeled and sliced into coins

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, sliced into rings and rings quartered

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup vinegar

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed tomato soup

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon prepared mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Cook carrots for 3 to 4 minutes in boiling water; they should still be crunchy. Drain and combine with onion and green pepper in a glass dish or large jar. Stir together the remaining ingredients and pour over vegetables. Let stand overnight in refrigerator. Serve cold. Keeps 2 to 3 weeks in refrigerator. Makes 12 servings.

Per serving: 202 calories (41 percent from fat), 9.4 g fat (1 g saturated, 1.7 g monounsaturated), 0 cholesterol, 1.2 g protein, 30 g carbohydrates, 2.7 g fiber, 346 mg sodium.

Side Dish

Endive Ardennes

6 to 8 heads Belgian endive

Squeeze of lemon juice

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cups milk

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Gruyere, Parmesan and/or dry Cheddar

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

2 slices cooked ham, cut in strips

1 tablespoon melted butter

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Trim endives and discard outer leaves. Put them in a buttered flameproof casserole with 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and the lemon juice, cover with buttered foil and the lid and cook over low heat for about 5 minutes. Bake 1 hour or until tender.

To make the sauce, melt the 2 tablespoons butter in a small, heavy skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour until dissolved. Slowly whisk in milk. Stir in the 1/3 cup cheese and the mustard, cooking just until cheese is melted.

Transfer the endives to a heatproof platter. Stir ham into sauce, taste for seasoning and spoon over the endives. Top with remaining grated cheese and melted butter. Brown under the broiler before serving. Makes 6 servings.

Per serving: 151 calories (64 percent from fat), 11 g fat (6.6 g saturated, 3 g monounsaturated), 33 mg cholesterol, 6.2 g protein, 7.4 g carbohydrates, 1.7 g fiber, 235 mg sodium.

Main Dish

Pan-Fried Pompano

6 pompano, red snapper or bonita fillets (about 6 ounces each)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Vegetable shortening for frying

1/4 cup cornmeal

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Lemon wedges

Rinse and dry fillets. Season with salt and pepper. Melt shortening in a large skillet to a depth of 1/4 inch. Turn heat to medium. Combine cornmeal and flour. Dredge fillets in mixture and shake off excess.

Place on a rack and refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes, or while oil comes up to 350 degrees. Heat oven to 200 degrees. (Fish may need to be cooked in batches and kept warm.)

Remove fillets from refrigerator. Dredge again in cornmeal mixture, shake off excess and carefully place in oil. Avoid crowding pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden. Serve with lemon. Makes 6 servings.

Per serving: :223 calories (16 percent from fat), 3.9 g fat (0.8 g saturated, 0.9 g monounsaturated), 63 mg cholesterol, 36 g protein, 9 g carbohydrates, 0 fiber, 532 mg sodium.