We Call It Macaroni

Two lighter versions of everybody's favorite picnic salad
If picnics are your passion, you're in luck. From now until October, you are sure to have plenty of gorgeous weather beckoning for some outdoor dining. But do yourself a favor--make sure that what goes into your picnic basket is as light and healthy as the fresh air around you.

Start your picnic on the right note by leaving behind salads made with heavy dressings featuring ingredients like regular mayonnaise, sour cream and whipping cream. But that doesn't mean you can't take along a macaroni salad. Just remake it in a lighter mode. It's easy to do--simply replace high-fat ingredients with low-fat alternatives, such as yogurt and soy mayonnaise, or use an olive oil-based dressing flavored with fresh herbs. Both of our salads this month keep fat grains to a minimum yet are satisfying and delicious. Or you can choose one of the dressings and use it to revamp a favorite macaroni salad recipe of your own.