Amazing Recipe Makeovers: 200 Classic Dishes at 1/2 the Fat, Calories, Salt, or Sugar
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About this ebook
In Amazing Recipe Makeovers, the experts at Cooking Light start with deliciously decadent dishes, then reduce the calories, sodium, fat, or sugar by half. Discover 200 tested-and-perfected recipes, including:
Radically Revamped Comfort Foods - Biscuit-Topped Chicken Potpie, All-American Meatloaf, breakfast and dinner casseroles, plus a standout Macaroni and Cheese recipe with three cheeses for flavor, fat-free Greek yogurt for creaminess, and panko for some crunch.
Takeout Favorites - easy homemade Pad Thai, pan-seared Chimichangas, and freezer-friendly Pork and Shitake Pot Stickers to keep on hand for busy nights.
Classics Takeover - one-pot Pasta Alla Carbonara, better-for-you Spinach-Bacon Quiche, French Onion Soup with a fraction of the sodium, and a fresh mozzarella-topped Eggplant Parmesan with less than 350 calories and 9g of saturated fat per serving.
Less-Loaded Party Starters - baked chips, diet-smart dips including Grilled Vegetable Guacamole, and low-calorie cocktails for a crowd.
Succulent Side Dishes - seasonal flavors such as Lemony Roasted Cauliflower with Breadcrumbs alongside family favorites like Twice-Baked Potatoes and Stovetop Creamed Spinach (only 25 calories per serving!).
Dreamy Desserts - Gluten-Free Tiramisu, fresh Blueberry Cobbler, and irresistible 250-calorie Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes.
You'll also find complete nutritional information for each recipe, full-color photographs, and Cooking Light's time-tested tips and tricks for slimming down every meal, so you can enjoy the food you love to eat - and feel good doing so!
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Amazing Recipe Makeovers - The Editors of Cooking Light
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RADICALLY REVAMPED COMFORT FOODS
BETTER THAN FRIED CHICKEN
CLASSIC: Calories per serving: 742, Sat Fat: 8.6g, Sodium: 1273mg, Sugars: 6g
MAKEOVER: Calories per serving: 433, Sat Fat: 2.9g, Sodium: 622mg, Sugars: 1g
HANDS-ON: 20 MIN. TOTAL: 8 HR. 50 MIN.
Try this spicier version of an old favorite. Marinating overnight makes the meat super flavorful and tender, so plan ahead, and enjoy without the guilt.
2 cups nonfat buttermilk
2 tablespoons Sriracha (hot chile sauce, such as Huy Fong)
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 bone-in chicken breast halves, skinned and cut in half crosswise
2 bone-in chicken drumsticks, skinned
1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup peanut oil
Cooking spray
1. Combine first 3 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag. Pat chicken dry with paper towels; add to bag, seal, and shake to coat chicken. Chill 8 hours or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 425°.
3. Place panko in a food processor; process until finely ground. Combine flour, panko, pepper, paprika, and salt in a large zip-top plastic bag. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Working with 1 piece at a time, add chicken to flour mixture in bag; seal bag, and shake to coat. Remove chicken from bag; repeat with remaining chicken. Discard remaining flour mixture.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of chicken to pan; cook 6 minutes or until golden brown, turning to brown on all sides. Remove chicken from pan; place on a wire rack coated with cooking spray set over a baking sheet. Lightly coat chicken with cooking spray. Repeat with remaining oil and chicken.
5. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until a thermometer registers 165°.
Serves 4 (serving size: 2 pieces): Calories 433; Fat 15.9g (sat 2.9g, mono 6.3g, poly 4.3g); Protein 37g; Carb 33g; Fiber 1g; Sugars 1g (est. added sugars: 0g); Chol 116mg; Iron 2mg; Sodium 622mg; Calc 55mg
BISCUIT-TOPPED CHICKEN POTPIE
CLASSIC: Calories per serving: 561, Sat Fat: 19g, Sodium: 895mg, Sugars: 5g
MAKEOVER: Calories per serving: 334, Sat Fat: 5.9g, Sodium: 543mg, Sugars: 5g
HANDS-ON: 35 MIN. TOTAL: 1 HR. 15 MIN.
Enjoy the fluffy deliciousness of the biscuit topping while still delivering a healthy meal the whole family will love.
Filling:
1 tablespoon canola oil
1½ cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrot
½ cup chopped celery
1 garlic clove, minced
1.1 ounces all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
4 cups unsalted chicken stock
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
1 (¾-ounce) package fresh poultry-blend herbs
Cooking spray
Biscuits:
4.5 ounces all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup cold butter, cubed
⅓ cup buttermilk
1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. To prepare filling, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery; sauté 4 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Weigh or lightly spoon 1.1 ounces (¼ cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Stir 1.1 ounces flour, salt, and pepper into vegetables; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in stock; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in chicken and peas; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove rosemary from herb package; reserve for another use. Strip leaves from stems of remaining herbs; chop leaves to measure 2 tablespoons. Stir chopped herbs into filling. Pour filling into a 2-quart baking dish or cast-iron skillet coated with cooking spray.
3. To prepare biscuits, weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces (1 cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 4.5 ounces flour and baking soda. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in buttermilk. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead gently 5 to 6 times. Roll to a 9-inch circle. Cut with a 2-inch round biscuit cutter, rerolling scraps. Arrange biscuits over filling; coat with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 35 minutes or until browned.
Serves 6 (serving size: about 1½ cups): Calories 334; Fat 12.8g (sat 5.9g, mono 4.1g, poly 1.5g); Protein 23g; Carb 31g; Fiber 3g; Sugars 5g (est. added sugars: 0g); Chol 62mg; Iron 3mg; Sodium 543mg; Calc 55mg
CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS
CLASSIC: Calories per serving: 453, Sat Fat: 6g, Sodium: 1701mg, Sugars: 8g
MAKEOVER: Calories per serving: 324, Sat Fat: 2.4g, Sodium: 573mg, Sugars: 3g
HANDS-ON: 66 MIN. TOTAL: 66 MIN.
Classic chicken and dumplings makes everybody feel warm and happy. This version features light, herby dumplings cloaked in rich sauce with plenty of vegetables and light and dark chicken. The dumplings are packed with herbs and brightly flavored lemon zest, so you’ll never suspect that the chicken stew portion is light and healthy.
Chicken stew:
1 (3- to 4-pound) whole chicken
3 quarts water
10 black peppercorns
4 garlic cloves, crushed
4 thyme sprigs
2 celery stalks
1 large onion, peeled and halved
1 large carrot, peeled and halved
1 bay leaf
1 rosemary sprig
Cooking spray
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped shallots
1.1 ounces all-purpose flour (about ¼ cup)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons heavy cream
Dumplings:
¾ cup 1% low-fat milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
6.75 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1½ cups)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon grated lemon rind
Freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
1. To prepare chicken stew, remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken. Place chicken in an 8-quart stockpot. Add 3 quarts water and next 8 ingredients (through rosemary sprig). Bring to a simmer; cook 45 minutes. Skim fat from surface of cooking liquid occasionally; discard fat. Remove chicken from pan; cool slightly. Strain stock through a sieve over a large bowl; discard solids. When chicken is cool enough to handle, remove skin from chicken; remove chicken from bones, discarding skin and bones. Tear chicken into 2-inch pieces; set aside.
2. Return pan to medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add chopped onion and next 3 ingredients (through shallots) to pan; coat vegetables with cooking spray. Sauté 4 minutes or just until vegetables are tender. Weigh or lightly spoon 1.1 ounces (about ¼ cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Sprinkle 1.1 ounces flour over vegetable mixture; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add chicken stock, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Combine cornstarch and cream in a small bowl. Add cornstarch mixture to vegetable mixture; bring to a boil, and cook 3 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low, and stir in chicken.
3. To prepare dumplings, combine milk and egg in a medium bowl. Weigh or lightly spoon 6.75 ounces (about 1½ cups) flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine 6.75 ounces flour and next 6 ingredients (through rind) in a bowl. Add flour mixture to milk mixture, stirring with a fork just until moist.
4. Drop 8 heaping tablespoons of batter onto chicken mixture. Cover and cook over low heat 3 minutes or until dumplings are done (dumplings will float to surface of stew). Do not allow chicken mixture to boil. Remove dumplings with a slotted spoon, and place in a bowl; keep warm. Repeat procedure twice with remaining batter.
5. Divide dumplings among 8 bowls. Ladle stew over dumplings in bowls; sprinkle with pepper and parsley, if desired. Serve immediately.
Serves 8 (serving size: 3 dumplings and 1 cup stew): Calories 324; Fat 6.2g (sat 2.4g, mono 1.8g, poly 1.1g); Protein 33g; Carb 31g; Fiber 2g; Sugars 3g (est. added sugars: 0g); Chol 103mg; Iron 3mg; Sodium 573mg; Calc 116mg
LEMON-GINGER FRIED CHICKEN
CLASSIC: Calories per serving: 891, Sat Fat: 9.3g, Sodium: 1179mg, Sugars: 21g
MAKEOVER: Calories per serving: 375, Sat Fat: 3.3g, Sodium: 578mg, Sugars: 6g
HANDS-ON: 16 MIN. TOTAL: 3 HR. 30 MIN.
Giving the chicken a double coat of flour mixture creates a golden crust (without the skin) when pan-fried.
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
1½ teaspoons minced fresh garlic
2 bone-in chicken breast halves, skinned
2 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned
2 chicken drumsticks, skinned
4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground red pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup peanut oil
¼ cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1. Place rind, juice, and next 5 ingredients (through drumsticks) in a large zip-top plastic bag; seal bag, and shake to coat chicken. Marinate in refrigerator 1 hour, turning bag occasionally.
2. Sift together flour and next 3 ingredients (through red pepper). Place flour mixture in a large zip-top plastic bag. Remove chicken from marinade bag, reserving marinade. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over chicken. Working with 1 piece at a time, add chicken to flour mixture; seal bag, and shake to coat chicken. Remove chicken from bag, shaking off excess flour mixture. Repeat with remaining chicken. Reserve remaining flour mixture. Place chicken on a wire rack; place rack in a jelly-roll pan. Cover and refrigerate 1½ hours. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°. Working with 1 piece at a time, return chicken to flour mixture; seal bag, and shake to coat. Remove chicken from bag, shaking off excess flour mixture. Repeat with remaining chicken. Discard remaining flour mixture.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; cook 3 minutes or until golden, turning once. Arrange chicken in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan. Combine broth and reserved marinade in a small bowl; carefully pour broth mixture into pan. Sprinkle chicken with sugar, and top with lemon slices. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until golden and a thermometer registers 165°.
Serves 8 (serving size: 1 breast half, or 1 thigh and 1 drumstick): Calories 375; Fat 15.5g (sat 3.3g, mono 6.6g, poly 4.7g); Protein 31g; Carb 31g; Fiber 2g; Sugars 6g (est. added sugars: 4g); Chol 85mg; Iron 3mg; Sodium 578mg; Calc 48mg
MEXICAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE WITH CHARRED TOMATO SALSA
CLASSIC: Calories per serving: 510, Sat Fat: 10g, Sodium: 1230mg, Sugars: 8g
MAKEOVER: Calories per serving: 360, Sat Fat: 5.4g, Sodium: 486mg, Sugars: 6g
HANDS-ON: 25 MIN. TOTAL: 1 HR. 10 MIN.
Charring the tomatoes gives a rich flavor to the salsa, which adds flavor to this chicken-and-veggie-packed dish.
Salsa:
8 plum tomatoes, halved and seeded
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 small onion, chopped
1 seeded jalapeño pepper, quartered
Cooking spray
⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Casserole:
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 cup diced zucchini
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 (10-ounce) can green chile enchilada sauce
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
1. Preheat broiler.
2. To prepare salsa, combine first 4 ingredients on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Broil 20 minutes or until charred, stirring once. Remove from oven; cool slightly. Place tomato mixture in a food processor; add cilantro, lime juice, and black pepper. Process until smooth. Set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 350°. To prepare casserole, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly coat pan with cooking spray. Add 1 cup onion, corn, zucchini, and bell pepper; sauté 6 minutes or until tender. Add chicken and next 5 ingredients (through green chiles); sauté 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat. Spread ½ cup salsa over the bottom of a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange half of tortillas over salsa. Spoon 2 cups chicken mixture over tortillas. Top with ¾ cup salsa. Sprinkle with ½ cup of each cheese. Repeat layers, starting with remaining tortillas and ending with remaining cheeses. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until bubbly.
Serves 8: Calories 360; Fat 12g (sat 5.4g, mono 2.6g, poly 1.4g); Protein 26g; Carb 39g; Fiber 5g; Sugars 6g (est. added sugars: 0g); Chol 70mg; Iron 1mg; Sodium 486mg; Calc 232mg
SNEAK ATTACK
Pumping up the amount of veggies while reducing the cheese keeps the dish satisfying and filling.
CHICKEN CORDON BLEU
CLASSIC: Calories per serving: 720, Sat Fat: 17.6g, Sodium: 1000mg, Sugars: 1g
MAKEOVER: Calories per serving: 414, Sat Fat: 5.5g, Sodium: 513mg, Sugars: 0g
HANDS-ON: 16 MIN. TOTAL: 41 MIN.
Panko is a Japanese-style crumb that stays crispy, even during cooking. Blended with robust seasoning and cheese, it browns to a golden crisp in the oven.
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
2.25 ounces all-purpose flour (about ½ cup)
1 tablespoon water
1 large egg
2.5 ounces shredded Gruyère cheese, divided (about ⅔ cup)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 pancetta slices (about 1¼ ounces)
Cooking spray
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Place each chicken piece between 2 sheets of plastic wrap; pound to ¼-inch thickness. Sprinkle chicken with pepper and salt.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add panko; cook 2 minutes or until toasted, stirring often. Remove from heat. Place flour in a shallow dish. Combine 1 tablespoon water and egg in a bowl; beat lightly. Pour egg mixture into a shallow dish. Combine panko, 2 tablespoons cheese, thyme, and garlic in another shallow dish.
4. Working with 1 chicken piece at a time, dredge in flour. Dip in egg mixture; dredge in panko mixture. Top with 1 pancetta slice and 2 tablespoons cheese. Roll up; secure with a wooden pick. Place roll, seam side down, on a wire rack coated with cooking spray. Place rack on a baking sheet. Repeat procedure with remaining ingredients. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until chicken is done.
Serves 4 (serving size: 1 roll): Calories 414; Fat 12.4g (sat 5.5g, mono 2.8g, poly 1g); Protein 51g; Carb 21g; Fiber 1g; Sugars 0g (est. added sugars: 0g); Chol 169mg; Iron 2mg; Sodium 513mg; Calc 213mg
CREAMY CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI CASSEROLE
CLASSIC: Calories per serving: 610, Sat Fat: 17.2g, Sodium: 710mg, Sugars: 3g
MAKEOVER: Calories per serving: 277, Sat Fat: 3.6g, Sodium: 547mg, Sugars: 6g
HANDS-ON: 20 MIN. TOTAL: 20 MIN.
A traditional creamy chicken casserole can have more than 600 calories per serving. Canola mayonnaise and fat-free yogurt provide extra creaminess in this lightened version, without the yogurt tang.
1 (12-ounce) package steam-in-bag broccoli florets
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup prechopped onion
2 (8-ounce) packages presliced mushrooms
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1½ cups fat-free milk
12 ounces chopped skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast (about 3 cups)
½ cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
¼ cup canola mayonnaise
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about ½ cup)
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated (about ¼ cup)
1. Preheat broiler.
2. Prepare broccoli in microwave according to package directions.
3. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and mushrooms; sauté 12 minutes or until mushrooms brown and liquid evaporates. Sprinkle mushroom mixture with flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook 3 minutes or until thick and bubbly. Stir in broccoli and chicken; cook 1 minute. Remove pan from heat. Stir in yogurt, mayonnaise, pepper, and salt. Top with cheeses; broil 2 minutes.
Serves 6 (serving size: 1½ cups): Calories 277; Fat 11.9g (sat 3.6g, mono 5.1g, poly 2.2g); Protein 29g; Carb 15g; Fiber 3g; Sugars 6g (est. added sugars: 1g); Chol 66mg; Iron 2mg; Sodium 547mg; Calc 253mg
TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE
CLASSIC: Calories per serving: 841, Sat Fat: 26.8g, Sodium: 791mg, Sugars: 0g
MAKEOVER: Calories per serving: 403, Sat Fat: 5.8g, Sodium: 608mg, Sugars: 9g
HANDS-ON: 22 MIN. TOTAL: 38 MIN.
Although the recipe calls for egg noodles, you can use any short pasta to make this dish. Fat-free milk and less-fat cream cheese drastically reduces the saturated fat, without losing creaminess.
8 ounces wide egg noodles
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup chopped yellow onion
⅓ cup chopped carrot
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2¾ cups fat-free milk
4 ounces ⅓-less-fat cream cheese, softened (about ½ cup)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup frozen green peas, thawed
2 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided (about ½ cup)
2 (5-ounce) cans albacore tuna in water, drained and flaked
Cooking spray
1. Preheat broiler.
2. Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and carrot; cook 6 minutes or until carrot is almost tender, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk; cook, stirring constantly with a whisk, 5 minutes or until slightly thick. Stir in cream cheese, mustard, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Remove pan from heat. Stir in noodles, peas, ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and tuna. Spoon mixture into a shallow broiler-safe 2-quart glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray; top with ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Broil 3 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Serves 6 (serving size: 1⅓ cups): Calories 403; Fat 14.2g (sat 5.8g, mono 4.4g, poly 1.6g); Protein 27g; Carb 42g; Fiber 3g; Sugars 9g(est. added sugars: 1g); Chol 81mg; Iron 2mg; Sodium 608mg; Calc 293mg
SECRET TO SUCCESS
For a rich and thick sauce, use less-fat cream cheese instead of a cream base.
CHICKEN TETRAZZINI
CLASSIC: Calories per serving: 516, Sat Fat: 8.9g, Sodium: 1625mg, Sugars: 7g
MAKEOVER: Calories per serving: 435, Sat Fat: 4.9g, Sodium: 573mg, Sugars: 8g
HANDS-ON: 35 MIN. TOTAL: 65 MIN.
Our chicken tetrazzini is a hearty, stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that will leave you feeling lighter.
10 ounces uncooked linguine
2 tablespoons butter
1 .1 ounces all-purpose flour (about ¼ cup)
2½ cups unsalted chicken stock
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated low-fat milk
2.5 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
1 ounce ⅓-less-fat cream cheese (about 2 tablespoons)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
2 (8-ounce) packages sliced mushrooms
1 cup chopped onion
1½ tablespoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons fresh thyme
½ cup dry white wine
3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1 cup frozen green peas
Cooking spray
1½ ounces French bread baguette, torn
¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.
3. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Gradually add stock and milk; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, cream cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add mushrooms; sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add onion, garlic, and thyme; sauté 3 minutes. Add wine; cook