Twinlab Fuel, Muscle, Endurance, Recovery, Sexual Health, Weight Management

A simple caramelized sugar syrup can elevate fresh oranges to a memorable finale for almost any meal. This variation on a classic Neapolitan dessert, the orange liqueur adds an extra dimension to this dessert, although it will still be delicious without it. This recipe can be easily doubled or quadrupled as the oranges will intensify in flavor over a week or two in the refrigerator. Experiment by adding spices such as a cinnamon stick, nutmeg or a few black peppercorns to the syrup, or perhaps add an herb such as a sprig of fresh rosemary.

If you love arugula, double the amount called for here. To make only 1 serving: Broil 4 ounces* of flank steak, rubbed with a mixture of 1/8 teaspoon garlic power, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Use one-fourth of the salad and dressing ingredients (use a pinch of salt). *Because flank steak does not come in small sizes, buy a 1-pound steak, cut it into 4 equal portions and freeze 3 of the portions for future use.

Lemongrass has an aromatic citrusy flavor-like lemon but intriguingly different-and is used here in the poaching liquid for the salmon fillet. However, if you don’t want to scurry around finding lemongrass, lemon zest will do fine.

This hearty salad makes a great starter course. Pumpkin seed oil, which is imported from Austria, has a rich, nutty flavor. If you can't find it, substitute dark sesame oil. Hulled pumpkin seeds are sold in most health-food stores; they are sometimes labeled "pepitas."

Bored with your usual salad makings? Remember, your primitive ancestors dined on hundreds of different bitter greens. Here's an easy way to introduce interesting, colorful greens into your salads because, as you know, more bitter, more better! Also, for a difference, serve the salad the authentic way, by placing each green on one-third of a large salad plate, like slices of pizza. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and top with shaved Parmigiano.

Roasted garlic is entirely different in flavor from its spirited fresh counterpart. It lends a mild, almost sweet note to the renowned pasta primavera.

This versatile ragout of vegetables can be served hot, with crusty bread, as a side dish; or cold, sparked with lemon juice, as an appetizer salad. You could also double the recipe and sprinkle it with crumbled goat cheese for a satisfying meatless main course.

Delicious just as they are, these baked bananas could be converted into a banana split by topping them with a scoop of low-fat frozen yogurt and a sprinkling of toasted almonds or walnuts.

Soy protein powder often comes slightly sweetened and sometimes in flavors, such as vanilla or chocolate. Although this recipe was created with an unflavored soy protein powder, you could certainly use a vanilla-flavored one.

This Asian-inspired vinaigrette works equally well with green beans, sugar snap peas, or snow peas.