Cold weather comfort food

Whether you're watching the big football game or unwinding after a day sledding with your kids, these healthy recipes are sure to keep you feeling in the spirit of the season. And since they’re low in fat and calories, they make for guilt-free indulgences.

Pumpkin curry soup
Pumpkin isn’t just for desserts, sweet breads and muffins. This pumpkin curry soup is surprisingly savory and packed with vitamins and other nutrients. Makes 4 servings.

• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 tsp. curry powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 3 cups water
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 32-oz. can pumpkin puree
• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
• sour cream (optional) 8
• chives (optional)

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and celery; cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in curry powder, coriander and crushed red pepper; cook for 1 minute. Add water and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in pumpkin and half-and-half; cook for 5 minutes or until heated through. Transfer mixture to food processor or blender (in batches, if necessary); cover. Blend until creamy. Serve warm or reheat to desired temperature. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and chives. Prepare a day ahead: Cool to room temperature after adding pumpkin and half-and-half. Cover and refrigerate. Just before serving, blend, then reheat to serving temperature, but don't boil.

Per serving: 180 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 30 g total carbohydrates, 105 mg sodium, 11 g fiber, 8 g protein

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Apple dumplings
This easy dessert is reminiscent of apple pie, but with far fewer calories.
Makes 6 servings.

• 1 Tbsp. firmly packed light brown sugar
• 11/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp. water
• 6 small apples, peeled and cored
• 6 square 7-inch egg-roll wrappers
• nonstick cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 F. Spray six muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, cornstarch, vanilla and water. Roll apples in the mixture until coated. Place one apple in the center of each egg-roll wrapper. Bring the corners up to the top of the apple, pressing and folding to seal the edges. Place each dumpling in a muffin cup and lightly spray the tops with nonstick cooking spray. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. Cool on a rack 15 minutes; serve warm.

Per serving: 180 calories, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 5 mg cholesterol, 39 g total carbohydrates, 190 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 3 g protein

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention