Hi all,  I've decided to share some recipes for some favorite items that are high on flavor, low on fat and use some twists and turns.  I found that my idea for this week's columns were also in the minds of several websites-I liked the following from ALLRECIPES.COM the best:

Goat Cheese, Spinach and Turkey burgers

•1 1/2 pounds ground turkey breast
•1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
•2 tablespoons goat cheese, crumbled
1.Preheat the oven broiler.
2.In a medium bowl, mix ground turkey, spinach, and goat cheese. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
3.Arrange patties on a broiler pan, and place in the center of the preheated oven 15 minutes, or until done.
4.I added some minced garlic to these and I added some chopped, fresh spinach.

For the salad-Tomato mint quinoa

•2 1/2 cups water
•1 1/4 cups quinoa (put into a fine sieve and rinse under cold water for a good 5 minutes! Otherwise it will be bitter)
•1/3 cup raisins
•1 pinch salt
•2 medium tomatoes, diced
•1 medium onion, minced
•10 radishes, quartered (optional, I don't like radishes)
•1/2 cucumber, diced
•2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
•1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
•2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
•1 teaspoon ground cumin
•1/4 cup lime juice
•2 tablespoons sesame oil
•salt to taste  

DIRECTIONS
1.Bring water to boil in a small saucepan. Pour in quinoa, raisins, and a pinch of salt. Cover, and let simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, then remove from heat, and allow to cool to room temperature.  

2.Toss together the tomatoes, onion, radish, cucumber, and almonds in a large bowl. Stir in the cooled quinoa, then season with mint, parsley, cumin, lime juice, sesame oil, and salt. Chill 1 to 2 hours before serving.  

For dessert:  Tofu chocolate pudding  

•1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
•2 tablespoons water
•1 (16 ounce) package firm tofu, drained
•1/4 cup soy milk
•1 tablespoon vanilla extract (I've used rum or raspberry extract, yum)
•Mince some fresh mint and use as garnish

DIRECTIONS

1.Melt the chocolate with water in a heavy saucepan or double boiler.
2.In an electric blender or food processor, combine tofu with the melted chocolate, milk, and vanilla extract. Process until the mixture is smooth. Chill for approximately one hour, and serve!  

Now, what are your suggestions on how to serve tasty, low fat dishes and add some fun herbs and spices to them?