We all have our favorite recipes, and sometimes they're more indulgent than we'd like. Is it possible to "lighten up" a favorite, without sacrificing taste and flavor? I believe the answer is yes!

I am a big fan of reducing - not eliminating - fat in foods. It's the best way to trim calories. Often, a lot of extra fat is hidden, and it can be removed without anyone being able to taste the difference. Also, I am a "real food" advocate. Use real sugar, real fat, and other ingredients - just use less of them. While some people like to cook with low calorie sugar and fat substitutes, it doesn't often yield a tasty product. Cooking is a kind of chemistry - foods, when heated interact with each other, resulting in a taste and flavor uniqueness to particular dishes.

I am facing that challenge for my next TODAY show segment where I was charged with the task of lightening up the favorite dishes of Matt, Meredith, Ann and Al.

Watch the segment from TODAY

Meredith's favorite is lasagna, while Matt is a chocolate chip cookie fan. Ann's choice was a NY strip steak and fettuccine alfredo, and Al loves fried chicken.