All I've done is replace a lot of my dairy and meat with "low fat" (not "nonfat") versions. Then, I make sure that my portions sizes are correct, and that I balance my meals with a meat, 1 or 2 vegetables, and a grain/starch (rice, bread, potato, what-have-you). I still make all of the dishes I made before I started living healthier, as well as new recipies I've come to enjoy.
I'm in a 2-person household, of which I am the primary cook, and I've reworked all of my recipies so that there are never any left-overs, and therefore, never the option of having seconds. This goes for dessert as well. I still bake cake and pie almost every week, but the pans I use make only 1 or 2 portions and I've scaled down my recipies to match.
I've achieved my weight loss so far by making sure that I always eat fewer calories than I'm buring throughout the day. Since I am getting plenty of exercise, I also get plenty of food, and since I am not limiting my diet, I don't suffer from cravings (at least, not for very long

).
I don't think that this is the only way to go, but I know it is the only way that I will be able to lose the weight I need and maintain that weight loss. I just enjoy food and cooking too much to limit my options for the rest of my life.