As nutrition-conscious cooks around the world change their cooking methods to create lighter meals, certain cuisines seem to present more of a challenge than others. French food, with its customary reliance on cream, lard and butter is an obvious example.

The Irish have the Blarney Stone and the gift of gab. They also have a genius for turning simple, unassuming ingredients into dishes glowing with comfort and flavor.

If your only experience with Chinese food has been from the neighborhood carry-out, you may be surprised that the traditional Asian diet is known for its balance of health and flavor. Includes recipe for Steamed Chicken with Red and Yellow Bell Pepper.

Risotto, the traditional rice dish of Italy, may be haute cuisine on the restaurant scene, but it is pure comfort food at heart and much simpler to make than you might imagine.

Experimenting with ethnic cuisines is a proven way to teach kids about new cultures, but don't stop at the stove top. Parents can take the family one step closer to foreign lands by adding traditional ethnic touches like music, table settings and decorations to meals for real foreign flair.

Italy is famous for its sweet confections and pastries, and there are historical reasons for this notoriety.