Must-Haves for the Low-Fat Pantry by Steven Raichlen

Award-winning author Steven Raichlen offers a short list of items to keep on hand guaranteed to add zing to low-fat cooking.

Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Use to add flavor without fat. Try it in mashed potatoes instead of butter, milk or cream.

No-Fat Sour Cream: A little gem that adds fat-free creaminess to a sauce. Unlike the full-fat version, no-fat sour cream won't break down when heated.

Fish Sauce: A little of this southeast Asian take on soy sauce goes a long way to lend a meaty flavor without meat.

Chipotle Chili: This smoked jalapeno chile is a good substitute for bacon and ham to add a bit of smoky-flavored heat. Use canned chipotle in adobo sauce.

Lemon Zest: Add to rice, barley and salads to bring flavors into sharp focus.