Eat, Shrink and Be Merry's Better Butter Chicken

Food Network Canada's Eat, Shrink and Be Merry is based on an interesting concept. The Podleski sisters, Janet and Greta, who wrote the bestselling low-calorie cookbook Looneyspoons, visit restaurants and compete against their chefs to make tastier but healthier versions of high-calorie foods: macaroni and cheese, butter chicken, quiche, etc.

Yes, the concept is a good one, but there's a caveat: it is one of the cheesiest shows I have ever seen. The jokes are corny, so much of the show seems obviously scripted (a very bad trait when it comes to cooking shows), and there are juvenile cartoons in between segments.

But you know what? The Podleski sisters really know what they're talking about. Their ideas for cutting calories are smart. Their food tastes great and is good for you. So although I may not be a huge fan of their show, I really like their cookbooks.

Their recipe for Butter Chicken is one I keep coming back to. I find that 6-7 chicken thighs is plenty of meat for this dish when served over some cooked rice, and I puree the diced tomatoes a little before adding them to the pan because my boyfriend simply hates tomatoes (but not tomato sauce). It makes a great leftovers lunch the next day, too.

Click here for the recipe!