Nutritious and Healthy Home Cooking Tips

For people who have been watching their diet, healthy eating is not just picking the right kind of food but also cooking them in the right way. Yes, we tend to stay away from fast food and instead cooking at home by ourselves, therefore, in doing this, take time to read the following paragraph can help you get the most of your healthy food choice, especially for those who are counting all those calories to keep fit.

Add more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your recipes. Go for organic fruits and vegetables as much as possible, they are not just free from poisonous pesticide but also contain more antioxidants than the non-organically grown ones. Replace or get rid of those high-calories, high-fat ingredients, it is one of the healthy cooking tips you can never go wrong if you want to have healthy diet. In some recipes, you can actually choose to omit the optional ingredients that contribute to the higher calorie content of the food.

Choose cooking oil. Chinese cooks usually use peanut oil, which has a high smoke point and a pleasant nutty flavor, for both stir-frying and deep-frying. For a healthier version, try to use Canola oil and olive oil, which are high in healthy monounsaturated fat and low in unhealthy saturated fat, it is believed that monounsaturated fats help lower the bad cholesterol that can lead to heart disease or stroke. Asian sesame oil is unsuitable as stir-fry oil because of its strong flavor and unstableness when heated, and it is used primarily as a seasoning that is added to stir-fry at the end of cooking.

Choose a healthy method for preparation. Appropriate cooking method always helps to preserve nutrients of the food. Grilling, broiling, steaming, and braising are good ways to do this.

Lower the salt in your food. Instead of relying on salt for extra flavor, increase the amount of herbs and spices in the dish. Spices such as curry powder, five-spice powder, and chili powder are salt-free while have loads of flavor. And if you are using canned vegetables that contain salt, remember to rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to remove some of the sodium before cooking.

Choose right kind of food and start with these practical and healthy cooking tips, you can absolutely make a big difference in your diet and your health.

Low Fat Cooking Tips - Roasted Vegetables

If you're anything like me, one of your favorite meals is a traditional Sunday roast. Mmmm, those delicious roasted vegetables, crispy on the outside but soft and luscious on the inside! But now we're on a diet we can't indulge in that taste anymore... right?

Not true. While traditional roasted vegetables are very high in fat due to the fat bath they sit in while they cook. There are ways to prepare low fat roasted vegetables. And it's really simpler than you think (and sometimes even yummier than fat soaked traditional roast vegetables). You see, it's not really necessary to have so much fat to roast vegetables. Although it is the fat that kind of semi fries the vegetables to that nice crispy exterior... a little fat works just as well, if not better, than a lot.

So here is one way to prepare low fat roasted vegetables. Doing it this way won't result in soggy roasted vegetables.

Low Fat Roasted Vegetables

1. Preheat oven to 350F (190C)
2. Line your baking tray with parchment (baking) paper
3. Prepare and cut up your vegetables as per usual
4. lay your vegetables evenly over the parchment paper
5. Spray vegetables with extra virgin olive oil cooking spray
6. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes
7. Turn vegetables and spray the unsprayed side with cooking spray
8. Bake for a further 20-30 minutes

Cooking time on this will vary according to the size of the vegetable pieces of course and you're the best judge of that. But preparing them this way results in a nice crispy skin without all the excess fat.

Oh, and the meat can be prepared the same way. Tip with cooking pork, remove the skin and the excess fat before cooking. If you really must eat the crackling you can rub salt into it and cook under the grill. Not only is it lower in fat, It works better and results in lovely crisp crackling (but you have to watch it carefully). Just be certain to trim most of the fat from the underside first, you need a little to generate the heat to form the crackling... but certainly not the amount that is usually there.

Oh, and this makes it much easier to clean your roasting tray which is the other advantage of this low fat roasted vegetable recipe.

Hope you enjoy my low fat cooking tips.

Cooking Tips For Men

Cooking is a very good thing to do for it shares good results to everyone. This is a good way to spend free time and release stress that is why women are really into it. They usually spend most of their time in the kitchen, preparing foods for their family and experimenting new way of making the most delicious recipes. Women find the kitchen their most comfortable place to showcase their talents in order to serve the best out of that kitchen. Through their recipes they are also showing their love and care for everyone.

Many people said that a woman is the queen of the kitchen because they are the ones who are really devoted in all kinds of cooking. That is why sometimes when women are out of the house, the men usually get hungry and sad and it's all because they are all naïve when it comes to the kitchen. And because of that, men should also learn how to do the cooking even the most basic ideas of it, so you they will be rest assured that even their women will be out for a long time they will be able to survive.

Here are some of the basic cooking tips for men.

Use of cook books. If you don't have any ideas about any recipes, these cook books will be your survival kit. You could see there a thousand of recipes from the easiest up to the most difficult ones and you could go with those that you think you can do. Make sure that you will use the right ingredients and follow all the essential things that the book told you to do so or else your recipe will never be good enough.

Be familiar with the equipments. In cooking, it is very important that you know how to use each cooking material. That is to help you cook the ingredients properly and get that best taste and flavors. Be familiar with the major equipments like your wife's romertopf bakewares, pressure cookers, silver pans and more. This will both help you to get that delicious recipe that you've wanted and to avoid any improper usage and danger as you do your first recipe.

Do not experiment. In any recipe that you will cook, always remember that you are not allowed to experiment for the meantime. You must able to follow certain rules and ingredients in able to get that perfect taste. It maybe a bit difficult at first but as you get used with it, you will surely enjoy it as your wife does. And when the moment comes that you are already experienced and practiced, you can now do some little experiments with the taste and the way of cooking.

Feel good. This is one of the best cooking tips that you must always remember every time you work in the kitchen. Always feel good and be happy when preparing and cooking your master pieces because your true feelings will reflect in the taste of your finished product. That's why if you cook with love, the people that will eat your recipe will also feel so loved by you and that's the magic of cooking.

8 Healthy Cooking Tips to Help You Cook Your Own Healthy Food

Cooking your own food has become a great alternative these days if you want to stay healthy and fit. Especially in these times that fast foods and restaurants are booming everywhere, it can be tempting to just grab those instant meals, but of course, it is always important to stay healthy and maintain a healthy weight as well.

To help you in cooking your own healthy meals, here are a few healthy cooking tips that can help you in sticking to a really healthy cooking.

1. Choose healthy ingredients. Go for fresh vegetables and fruits. Organic ones are better choices but if you do not have access to organic vegetables, make sure that you thoroughly wash them with running water especially leafy vegetables.

2. Choose a healthier way of cooking your own food. Grill, bake, roast, steam, or microwave foods. Instead of deep frying, you can also stir-fry. Also choose methods of cooking that can retain the color, the flavor as well as the nutrients of the vegetables and other ingredients.

3. Try some healthier alternatives to fat and foods high in cholesterol. You can also find organic spices and other healthier choices. Avoid processed foods as much as possible. Always check the label of processed foods if you can't get away with buying one. You can also find alternatives to meat. Soya protein,

4. Use Olive oil or Canola oil for your frying needs. You have to be aware of the different types of cooking oil and make sure that you know which among them is the healthier choice. Consider how much unsaturated fats they contain. The more unsaturated fat, the more unhealthy is your cooking oil.

5. Cut down on sodium or salt. Although you may need to add salt to season your recipe, find other substitutes such as herbs and other natural spices and cut down on your salt. Salt can be unhealthy especially those who are overweight and those who have problems with their blood pressure. Check the labels of processed foods, as you can always determine if the salt content is high, but of course, one good thing you can do is to eliminate the high-sodium ingredient and substitute it.

6. Opt for the low-fat ingredients. If you can't totally get rid of fat in the ingredients such as butter or milk, choose those with less fats. You can also improvise on a recipe to help you avoid spending more and avoid you in using fats for your recipes. Of course, one good suggestion for you is to eliminate those ingredients with high fat content. You can also modify your recipe to get rid of those unhealthy ingredients.

7. Opt for whole grains rather than those highly refined products. Among the variety of grains that you can use are brown rice, barley, wheat, oatmeal and rye. If you are buying pastries, also check out if they are made from these whole grains.

8. Follow low-fat cooking practices as much as possible. Stir fry instead of using the deep frying techniques. Trim the fatty part of the meat before trying to cook it as well.

Important Turkey Cooking Tips To Make The Holiday a Success!

The Thanksgiving holiday meal can be one of the most high pressure and stressful meals of the year to prepare. A few turkey cooking tips and reminders can make the whole process more enjoyable. If you chose to go fancy with your bird or simple and delicious the basics are always the same. Size of the bird, preparation before you start the meal and roasting methods need to be addressed first. This article will give a few turkey cooking tips to make this holiday an enjoyable experience.

The first tip will be obvious, but you would be shocked at how often even the most experienced cooks forget and get caught by this.

Make sure you have everything you need before you start.

This is where a check list is an invaluable asset. Be sure you have all the ingredients, cookware, utensils, spices, pots, pans, and dishes ready and on hand to get the meal completed. There is nothing worse than having to stop what you are doing, and run to the store to pick up some missing item at the last minute.

Choose the proper turkey.

Don't choose a turkey that is very small or one that is very large. Some where in the medium sized range will cook the best, and look the best when finished. A fresh and not frozen turkey will be tender and juicy. If you have to have a frozen turkey be sure to thaw it in your refrigerator for the proper amount of time until it is completely thawed.

Clean the turkey well.

Clean the turkey in the sink with cold water. Especially the inside. Flush the body cavity with plenty of cold water to remove any loose skin fragments and stale blood.

Roasting your turkey.

Getting a turkey with a pop up thermometer makes knowing when the turkey is completely cooked a snap. I wouldn't get one without that. Pre heat your oven to the proper temperature before you put the turkey in the oven. Roast the turkey with the legs pointing to the back of the oven, that is usually the hottest part. If you have enough time, slow roast your turkey at 250 degrees for several hours longer than it would take at 350 degrees. It will be much juicier and tender. Then for the last hour turn the heat up to 350 degrees to brown and crisp the skin.

BY ALL MEANS, REMEMBER THIS:

Bacteria on food will rapidly multiply when left at a temperature between 45 F and 140 F. Avoid this danger zone as much as possible.

These common sense tips will make cooking your turkey easier. Knowing before hand that you have chosen the proper turkey for your meal and that you are well prepared to get your turkey in the oven cuts down on the stress of this holiday meal. Then all that is left to do is prepare the side dishes that go with your turkey while the bird is in the oven. Happy Holidays.

Cooking Tips For a Healthy Life

There are people who simply love to cook while some are averse to the idea of cooking. Yet another category exists that cook just because they have to. Whether or not you enjoy cooking, it is important that you cook right whenever you do. Considering the rise in the number of health disorders associated with obesity, Americans are waking to the fact that making right food choices is critical for good health.

Healthy eating does not mean consuming the right kind of foods but also ensuring that they are cooked in the right manner. Most people avoid eating fast food and switch over to homemade food to eat right and stay healthy. However, eating homemade food is of no use, if you do not know the basics of healthy cooking. Read on to know invaluable cooking tips that can improve your health and the overall well being of your family.

Go for organic food - The best way to cook healthy is choose organic foods, vegetables, and fruits that are rich in antioxidants and also free from pesticide residues unlike their non-organically grown counterparts.

Cooking with the right oil - The kind of oil you use as well as its quantity will have a direct impact on your waistline. You may go for healthier versions like olive oil and canola oil, though olive oil should be avoided for frying foods, as its smoke point is just about 190C/375F.

Also make it a point to drain excess oil in fried foods using paper towels so that you can restrict your calorie intake. Cook using nonstick pans, as it not only makes the task of cooking much faster and easier but also helps you in minimizing your fat intake.

Utilize the right cooking method - The methods of cooking you choose is as important as the ingredients that go into the food. Frying should be avoided as much as possible and should be replaced with broiling, grilling, braising, and steaming methods that facilitate in retaining the nutritional value of the food while keeping excess fat at bay. Boiling vegetables can rob them of their nutrients and should therefore be steamed instead.

Replace high-calorie ingredients - When trying out a new recipe, look for options for certain ingredients to get rid of excess calories. For instance, a certain recipe may allow you to use yogurt or milk instead of cream so that you can reduce your fat intake without compromising on the taste.

Cook meat at right temperatures - Failing to cook meat at the right temperature may give rise to bacteria that cause a number of food-borne diseases. You need to cook meat at 160°F, poultry at 165°F and steaks and roasts at a minimum of 45°F. If you need to reheat leftovers, make sure that you heat till the time sauces and gravy start boiling.

Cooking Tips You Need to Know

Most people are going to try to cook at one stage or another in their lives, unfortunately many people will give up after their first attempt because of a burnt pan or an overcooked egg. But with a bit of help, anybody can experience the thrill of cooking a meal for somebody else, and have that somebody else really appreciate the food and the time that it's taken to prepare. There are many great cooking tips both on the Internet and through some of the many cookbooks that are available. One cooking tip that I would give anyone is not to start out too adventurous. Always begin by cooking something simple. This way you will have more chance of achieving the desired result and moving onto the next stage.

The next stage is always going to be a bit more difficult. You will be trying to emulate some of the recipes that you can find in celebrity cookbooks, traditional cookbooks, or some of the more difficult recipes to be found on the Internet. Make sure that you read all the instructions through at least once before you start. Go through the ingredients list and check off all of the items that you can immediately lay your hands on, there's no point in buying what you already have. Try to buy the freshest possible produce, this will make your finished product taste much better. As a last helpful cooking tip, keep yourself calm, follow the recipe to the letter, and enjoy your meal.

Sweet and Sour Pork - Home Cooking Tips

Sweet and sour pork, featuring for its sweet and sour taste, is liked by many people. The ingredients of this dish is simple, also it is not difficult to cook. However, if you want to cook it at home and get a originate one, you have to know some basic home cooking tips of this dish.

Ingredients

pork fillet (300g), tomato sauce (40g), cooking wine (15g), vinegar (20g), sugar (35g), salt (3g), water starch (30g)

Cooking procedure:

1. Cut the pork fillet into pieces with size of 1.5cm X 4cm.Pickle them with some salt and cooking wine.

2. Put the sugar, vinegar, some water and water starch into a bowl for future.

3. Pour oil(300g) into the wok, then add pork fillets into the wok when the oil temperature reaches up to about 80‚ Remove the pork when it changes into white. Use the shovel pats it to depart the ones sticking with each other.

4. Continue to heat the oil in the wok. When the oil temperature reaches up to 90, put the prepared fillets into the wok again and fried them until they become golden color. Remove them from the wok for future use.

5. Put some oil in the wok, when it reaches up to 70 add the tomato sauce into them. Stir fry them until the red oil comes out of tomato sauce. Pour the prepared sauce in step 2 into wok. Add the prepared pork fillets into them when the sauce becomes thick and bright red. Stir-fry the mixture quickly until the fillets are coated with sauce evenly.

Tips:

1. Repeat frying in step 3 and 4 is the key for crispy outside, tender inside, so this step cannot be ignored.

2. Another important factor is the ratio of sugar and salt. Please find the proper ration according to your own taste.

3. After the sauce becomes thick, you must quickly stir fry the fillets.

For any cooking tips about traditional Chinese food, such as kung pao chicken, spring roll, please visit my blog.

Cooking Tips - How to Prepare Your Lobster Tails

It's true what they're saying that lobsters are quite a delicacy; however, it'd be safe to say that lobster tails are far less complicated and less expensive to cook. If you would like to know the tips and methods in cooking lobster tails, you needn't look any further. There are several recipes that can be found online for free. All you need to do is test out a few of these recipes and see which one you'd like.

You need to remember that before you think about cooking lobster tails, you have to think about which lobster tails you prefer. There's a great difference when it comes down to taste with respect to lobsters from warm waters or those that thrive in cold waters. The latter is known to be quite desirable when it comes down to taste. At the same time, you need to take note that there's a great difference in price also. Considering this, you need to be certain that you know the basics when it comes to understanding how to cook the delicacy.

Before buying your lobster tails, see first if there are any gray or black spots. If such spots appear, it indicates that the meat is bad. Also, remember that when you purchase frozen lobster tails, make sure that you know how to defrost them specifically. This is the primary step that you need to do before you learn how to cook the tails. Before chucking them into a microwave, you need to first put them in a refrigerator for approximately ten hours. After this, put them in a bowl of cold water. Then finally, you can cook them in three ways: boil, griddle or bake them.

Keep in mind that one of the most common mistakes that people make is the tendency to overcook the meat, which can result in a bad taste or flavor. Make sure that you also consider some of the condiments. Ideally just after cooking you must serve the meat hot with lemon, melted butter or perhaps even mayo. Make it a point that you consider some of the other cooking tips and methods when it comes to preparing lobster tails, since variety really gives your taste buds quite an advantage.

Salmon - Cooking Tips For Cooking Salmon in the Oven

Salmon is a healthy and flavorful fish. It is rich in omega 3s, which are good for the heart and it, can be used in many different recipes. If you are looking for cooking tips for cooking salmon in the oven, read on for some handy hints about how to bake this tasty fish.

First of all, you should preheat the oven to somewhere between 350 and 450 degrees F, depending on what the recipe recommends. If you are not following a recipe, keep the temperature near to 350 degrees F because it is easier to accidentally overcook the fish if you choose a higher temperature.

Preparing the Salmon for Baking

You might like to use a store-bought salmon rub or make your own. Try a mixture of salt, chili powder, and paprika for a spicy flavor or mixed herbs for an herby flavor.

Perhaps you prefer to use an herb butter, like basil butter or dill butter. If you want to keep the flavors simple, you can use a little olive oil and some lemon or lime juice with the fish. You can prepare the fish a few hours before you cook it in the oven if you want.

Glazes are also popular with salmon and you can make a glaze for salmon by baking a sweet fruit like pineapple or peach on top of the fish. The juices will run over the fish as it cooks.

What about making your own salmon marinade recipe? Try a mixture of white wine, ginger, olive oil, lime juice, and brown sugar and marinate the salmon in this for half an hour before baking it.

How to Bake the Fish

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. This is optional but it does make cleanup easier afterwards. Put the fish on the baking sheet and bake it for ten to twelve minutes, or until it is opaque all the way through. The exact timing depends how thick your salmon fillet is. Salmon usually needs ten minutes cooking time for every inch of thickness.

Salmon should be tender inside and cooked to medium rare, for the best results. Overcooking is one of the worst things you can do to fish, so keep an eye on the salmon as it cooks. Remember that it keeps cooking on the baking sheet once you have taken it out of the oven. When the fish is barely pink right the way through, it is cooked perfectly.

Another way of baking salmon is to make a foil parcel. This helps to seal the juices in and ensure the fish comes out succulent and tender. Simply add the fish to a square of foil, add some lemon or lime slices and maybe some dill, cumin, chili powder or another flavor, and then loosely twist the foil at the top to make a foil package. This cooking method is known as "en papillote."