Healthy Cooking Tips from My Chinese Kitchen

Because of my young children, I have leaned towards healthy cooking choices. In addition, my husband who always eats out due to his frequent business meetings, desperately needs to lose weight. Being a Chinese and growing up with a mum who likes to cook, I have been educated in more ways than one on the various ways to whip up a dish. The following are some helpful tips that are practiced from my own kitchen.

The major thing to keep in mind when cooking is what hurts the foods and takes the nutrients out of them. You can eat a complete meal and end up not having adequate nutrients in any of the foods because of how you cooked. The major types of cooking that will burn away the vitamins include frying, boiling, saute methods and microwave. It is important to consider these methods before deciding on how you will cook your food.

One of the better methods used in preserving the nutrients in food is steaming. Steaming will actually preserve the vitamins and minerals that are in it. Because you don't have to add any oils or fats, it can also help you with taking away things that you don't need. A medium sized fish takes only 10 minutes of steaming time. It can be really that fast.

Boiling is also another healthy cooking method. However, do not overboil vegetables as this will kill all the nutrients and enzymes in them. If you need cooked vegetables, boil the water first. In boiling water, put your vegetables in for about 3 minutes. For some taste, you can always make a sauce to pour over the boiled vegetables.

Another thing that you should consider when cooking is what you are putting into the foods while they are on the stove. For example, adding extra salt can lead to a change in your blood pressure over time that isn't necessarily healthy. In relation to this, you should stay away form flavors and ingredients that have high sodium or fat as part of the recipe. Use the healthier sea salt if you really need to.

All of the foods that you eat should be balanced with raw fruits and vegetables. Having these on hand will help in adding to nutritious value in your diet. Adding a salad or different fruits is always important to your meals.

Healthy cooking does not necessarily translate to bland food. Sure the food may not be as tasty due to the less salt and the cooking method used. But there are ways to getting round them like using natural ingredients; such as, garlic, onions or herbal leaves for flavoring. Take the steam fish for example.

Add in stir-fried chopped garlic, ginger and spring onions for extra punch! As a meal planner, your job lies in seeking these healthy recipes out.

Cooking for better health has its rewards in better nutrition and healthier food for the body. If you and your family are working on implementing a healthier lifestyle, then it means adopting these cooking tips and making healthier eating choices. Everyone stands to benefit in being nourished, feeling energized and looking well.

About the Author:
Evelyn Lim
Looking for a current health article to read? Check out this health article directory : http://www.healthandwellnesscentral.com
Posted: 27-08-2006
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

Mediterranean Food - A Gastronomic Delight That Offers Wholesome Goodness

Mediterranean food is healthy, nutritious, and tasty. These foods come from a culture with rich customs and traditions that offer variety and wholesome goodness. It's a great way to eat that allows wine with meals and daily dosages of fruits and vegetables.

If you're looking for a fun, diverse, and cultural dining experience, you won't want to miss out on Mediterranean food. In fact, millions have already lined up for a taste of incredible food from this fascinating culture.

Whether it is its rich, colorful palette or its incredible taste, Mediterranean food is attractive to many for its customs and traditions. The beauty of this type of food lies in its simplicity; it is full of nutritious, tasty ingredients which includes fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts.

Before you make the assumption that this kind of eating is too boring for your taste, you should note that foods prepared in Mediterranean style are made with spices and everyday ingredients that are combined into culinary masterpieces. Remember, the wholesome nature of Mediterranean food includes more than just vegetables. Milk and dairy products are frequently used, and foods are normally cooked in olive oil. Now add a glass of wine to that, and you're talking a great Mediterranean meal!

If you're thinking of trying Mediterranean food, consider the following:

Mediterranean Food is Natural

Most of the food used in Mediterranean dishes includes ingredients that are grown in home and community gardens. Even when preparing dishes with store bought vegetables, the great mixture of foods are natural and wholesome. It can definitely be beneficial to your well-being.

Mediterranean Food can be Healthy.

Although it is not scientifically proven, it is thought that the Mediterranean enjoy long lives due to the nutritional value of their food. In fact, many people go on diets using Mediterranean dishes. The Mediterranean put values on their foods. Vegetables rank high, while eggs and poultry are in the moderate rank. Red meats are ranked low, so consumption of red meats is limited to a few times per month. If you do it right, you can definitely lose weight eating Mediterranean food. In general, Mediterranean dishes are low in saturated fat and is full of vitamins and antioxidants.

Mediterranean Food Offers Variety

There are so many different types of vegetables and fruits that one can enjoy. In addition, no food is banned, although lower ranking foods are seldom consumed. There are over 20 Mediterranean states that all use similar ingredients, but each community has its own way of preparing dishes that differ from state to state. The variety is endless when it comes to recipes and food preparation.

So don't hesitate; try a few Mediterranean dishes. You'll be amazed by its simple nature and your body might just thank you.

Summary:

In addition, no food is banned, although lower ranking foods are seldom consumed. Whether it is its rich, colorful palette or its incredible taste, Mediterranean-style foods are attractive to many.

About the Author:
Brooke Hayles
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Submitted on 2006-12-02
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Butter Cream Icing Recipes

Recipe 1

1 ½ cups of different types of vegetable shortenings
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons flavors (colorless)
2 pounds of confectioner’s sugar
¼ to ½ cup of water or milk (water is a good choice, but milk goes well with lavender color)
Combine all the shortenings, flavorings, and salts thoroughly. Add the powdered sugar. Slowly add water and gently mix all the ingredients until well blended. You will notice that after 2-3 minutes, the mixture will become creamy.

Notes:
a) Try to keep the amount in exactly the same quantity as mentioned above. If you introduce lots of variations, you may not get the desired butter cream icing.
b) If you want to make your icing thin, add three to four big spoonfuls of corn syrup.
c) If you want to make chocolate butter cream, all you need to do is add ¾ cup of cocoa powder or three one ounce chocolate squares, mixed with one to two tablespoons of milk, to the other ingredients and proceed to mix well.

Recipe 2

½ cup vegetable shortening
½ cup of soft butter (you can add margarine also)
4 cups of confectioner’s sugar
2 tablespoons water (milk)
½ teaspoon almond, for flavor
A dash of salt
Mix the shortening, butter, and almond. Add confectioner’s sugar and gently mix by hand. Continue to add other ingredients and mix quickly, for six to seven minutes.

Here, too, you can add ¼ or 1/3 cup of cocoa powder to make chocolate butter cream.

If the icing is quite thin, you may add more powdered sugar, and in case you find it stiff, put a few drops of water or milk into it.

Recipe 3
Butter cream icing, which has a snow-white appearance as well as a yummy taste, is the best choice for frosting a cake. This so-called “snow white butter cream” is mostly used for decorating wedding cakes or any flat-surfaced cake and for making nail flowers. Remember to dry the flowers uncovered for at least a day. Flowers like apple blossoms or drop flowers are ready for use after four to five hours of air drying.

The good thing about snow-white butter cream is that it does not need refrigeration to become consistent and boasts a delicious taste as well. Here’s a recipe for this delicious icing:

2/3 cup of water
4 tablespoons of meringue powder
12 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 ¼ cups vegetable shortening
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon almond (for flavor)
½ teaspoon vanilla (for flavor)
¼ teaspoon butter (for flavor)
Combine water and meringue powder in a bowl and mix it fast. Next, add four cups of confectioner’s sugar, one at a time. Mix the sugar at fast speed and lower the speed with each addition. Add the shortening, remaining sugar, salt, almond, vanilla, and butter, and mix them gently.

Note: All of the above butter cream icings are easy to make and yummy to taste, you can make all of them at one time and determine which one best suits the different designs on your cake.

About the Author:
Mike L
You can find more great cake decorating information at www.cakedecorating-secrets.com
Article Source: http://www.articles411.com

Japanese Home Cooking - Beyond Sushi

In general, the Japanese people are very healthy and live longer than any other culture in the world. Why is this? Many people attribute it to the way they eat. But if you think that all Japanese people eat is sushi you couldn't be more wrong. Japanese home cooking is simple, healthy, and delicious. While some of the ingredients may seem exotic and intimidating, rest assured that anyone can cook wonderful delicious Japanese meals with ease.

Sushi is the most popular type of Japanese food, enjoyed throughout the world. You may notice that sushi is quite filling, and you typically eat much less than you would a more Western style meal, such as a hamburger. What is it about sushi that makes it so filling and satisfying? The answer could be rice.

Rice is definitely a staple of any Japanese meal. Whether it is served as a side dish or along with a saucier entrée, you're going to need plenty of rice on hand. While white long grain rice is most popular, you can always opt for more healthy brown rice. Either way, you may also want to consider purchasing a rice cooker. Rice cookers can cost anywhere from $30 to hundreds of dollars, depending on the make and quality. If you plan on eating plenty of rice this is worth the investment. You're pretty much guaranteed perfect rice every time.

Have you ever had miso soup at your favorite sushi restaurant? Miso soup is made from several ingredients, one of which is miso paste, made from fermented soybeans. Miso comes as either red or yellow, both having distinct and rich flavors. Not just for soup, you can add miso to just about anything from a veggie stir fry to a marinade for beef. And miso isn't just for Japanese cooking either. Once you experience the delightful flavors of miso you'll be adding it to all your meals!

If you dislike fish, you probably think Japanese cooking isn't for you. While fish is definitely a huge part of the Japanese diet, it doesn't mean that's all they eat. Chicken, beef, and pork are all popular choices, as well as tofu and eggs. Simmering meats in sauces such as teriyaki, in a wok or deep skillet is a favorite. You can serve these dishes over rice or noodles such as soba. This is a tasty and healthy alternative to fried foods that many of us eat so often.

If you're interested in Japanese home cooking there are plenty of great recipes on the Internet that can help guide you through the different types of ingredients and cooking methods. If you're looking for a healthy and flavorful change to your diet, consider trying a few Japanese meals. Before you know it you'll be enjoying a variety of delicious foods that nurture the body and the soul.

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About the Author:
Cynthia Bates is an Internet specialist, and periodically writes recipe and cooking articles for http://www.bakingnation.com - BakingNation.com is dedicated to proving quality cooking and recipe discussions on the Internet.
This article was posted on April 03, 2006
Article Source: articlecity