1.   Use cold meat as the basis of a winter salad with apples, celery and walnuts.

2.   Use less meat than the stated quantity and add canned beans to reduce fat content.

3.   Not sure what meat they used in them.

4.   Almost always, meat is used to hold the stuffing together, but I wanted to make a vegetarian version.

5.   Also, organ meats may be used in ground beef.

6.   Beyond the essential north-south distinction, the identity of a ragu depends on what meats are used and how the liquid is built up.

7.   But in all of them, vegetables and grain are prominent, meat is used sparingly and there is olive oil -- lots of olive oil.

8.   Despite the well-established American preference for chicken white meat, three of the five winners used dark meat in their recipes.

9.   Ellen Bauersfeld, a registered dietitian and consulting nutritionist in Tarzana, suggests using meat as a condiment, not a main entree.

10.   If using meat, put it whole into a large heavy-bottom saucepan or Dutch oven.