Packages are not the same as applications.The list is of all packages and
this includes libraries and dependencies, making the list rather long, as
you found out. Those bits and pieces need to be installed to make the
applications work which is why they are included in the list. It is just a
text file. You can edit it by hand. It is tedious, but as long as you save
it as text file it is still usable. I know of no easy way to make a list of
just installed applications without all of the supporting cast.