Fresh herbs brighten up the flavor of everything, including soups and desserts. The aromatic leaves also have nutritional value offering potent little doses of antioxidants -- and not a drop of salt or fat. Try these recipes to enhance a healthy diet and protect yourself against cancer and heart disease.

Soup's on. Instead of ice cream, serve bowls of beta-carotene-rich chilled cantaloupe soup with tarragon syrup.

Serving rosemary bread with rosemary-flecked olive oil rather than butter is a nod to the Mediterranean diet, in which olive oil is the primary fat.

Parsley is always a main ingredient in tabbouleh, a Middle Eastern dish that's delicious served with pita wedges.

Before grilling, soak the toothpicks or skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning. Butterflying the chicken -- splitting each piece in half and fanning it open like a book -- creates two layers. They make tasty "sandwiches" with tomato and basil.

Tart citrus, hot jalapeno, and assertive cilantro wake up grilled sirloin steak.

In muffins made with corn and cornmeal, the grain's sweetness is a perfect match for the aromatic intensity of rosemary.

In-season ingredients (tomatoes, corn, and basil) are the heart of a lime-spiked dip; tofu -- low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free -- makes it creamy.

Tuna rubbed with garlic-herb oil shares plate space with fiber-rich beans and kale.

Parsley salad has an earthier flavor than one made with lettuce; the pine nuts, capers, and red onion make each bite even more interesting and tasty. The raw onions in this recipe become milder the longer they stay in the orange juice-and-vinegar mixture.

This salsa makes a wonderful dipping sauce. It can also be spooned over grilled shrimp, fish, chicken, or lamb.

Yogurt imparts creaminess to a verdant basil soup without adding fat. Scoop mounds of tomato ice onto each serving for a summery garnish, and set the bowls over cracked ice.

Instead of using bread, try serving this light dish on a bed of greens, tossed with pasta, or stirred into couscous.

White miso makes a delicious marinade for broiled salmon. A combination of fermented soybeans and either rice or barley, miso is a great source of zinc, a natural immune booster.

Briny olives bring a gratifying richness to this Mediterranean-inspired eggplant dip while fresh oregano lends a dimension of freshness.

In this hearty soup, parsley dumplings speckle the broth with bits of green.

Depending on your tolerance for spice, use either jalapenos or the more fiery serrano peppers. It's a good idea to wear rubber gloves when handling chiles to avoid burning your skin. If you can't find striped bass, try snapper or wild salmon instead.

Fresh basil ribbons top each low-fat wedge while whole-wheat pita bread forms the crust. Yellow pepper, mozzarella, and homemade tomato sauce round out the pizza. 

Generously spread slimmed-down parsley pesto onto crusty sourdough or swirl it into another dish, such as chicken soup.

A piquant soup exudes flavors culled from the Mexican kitchen with a cumin-laced broth and a roasted tomatillo-and-cilantro pesto.

Be sure to cook your orzo al dente; if overcooked, the tiny rice-shaped pasta becomes mushy.

The subtle heat of ginger and chile, combined with the bright aroma of fresh mint, enlivens this lightened rendition of chicken soup.

Creamy parsley sauce -- here, over cod -- is an old English favorite. The herb is stirred in at the end, so it maintains its vibrant flavor and color. This main dish is delicious served with boiled potatoes or rice.

Two of summer's finest ingredients complete this simple fish preparation.

Eggplant is layered with a mixture of low-fat turkey, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices and topped with a light yogurt sauce in our version of moussaka, a Mediterranean classic.