Long on Elegance

Here’s an elegant New Year’s Eve dish that is quick, easy and low in fat. The caviar and creamy--but not cream-filled--pasta matches well with Champagne or sparkling wine, and the dish works as a first course or main course.

Buy fresh mushrooms, rather than dried, so you won’t need to spend time soaking them. And for the best flavor, buy good Reggiano-Parmigiano instead of domestic Parmesan and grate it yourself.

Top each serving with a spoonful of your favorite caviar. If you’re budget is low, you may want to go for color and use a combination of red, golden and black caviars.

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Angel Hair Pasta With Mushroom and Parmesan Cheese and Caviar

Active Work Time: 10 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Water

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms

Nonstick cooking spray

1 cup nonfat low-sodium chicken broth

1 teaspoon cornstarch

1/4 pound angel hair pasta

2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese

Caviar of choice

Bring large pot of water to boil for pasta.

Saute garlic and mushrooms in nonstick skillet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Cover and sweat mushrooms until limp, about 3 minutes. Stir in chicken broth and simmer 1 to 2 minutes.

Blend cornstarch and 1 tablespoon water in small bowl until smooth and stir into broth. Bring to simmer and cook until sauce is thickened and clear, about 1 minute.

Cook pasta in boiling salted water, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and toss with mushroom sauce. Toss with Parmesan. Spoon onto plate and top with bit of caviar to taste.

4 servings. Each serving: 175 calories; 519 mg sodium; 53 mg cholesterol; 6 grams fat; 23 grams carbohydrates; 11 grams protein; 3.27 grams fiber.