Tag Archives: how to cook

How to Cook with Almonds

When I was little, I used to sit by my dad while watching TV and he’d always be crunching away on handfuls of raw almonds. I’d asked for one or two every once in a while out of curiosity, and remember never liking the things. Their bland taste just did me wrong. It would literally take me one full minute to gnaw on a single almond before getting it down. 

But these days it’s a whole other story. I eat almonds on a daily basis and have for years. I love their texture, earthy flavor, health benefits and how versatile they are. Almonds are not only delicious, but they’re also a great food for dieters as they’re a good source of protein which can help squelch hunger.

What are almonds? Almonds are the seed of the almond tree, which is native to the Middle East and South Asia. The seed or “nut” portion of the almond is what we actually consume, while the outer hull is removed before packaging. (more…)

Posted on June 10, 2023 by Dana

How to Cook with Strawberries

Strawberries have always been one of my favorite fruits, not just for their fun shape and bright color, but also because they’re incredibly healthy and low in calories. 

In my house we probably go through one to two pints of strawberries every week, especially during the summer months. One of my favorite ways to eat this gorgeous berry is adding a big handful of them frozen into my morning smoothies for a quick and easy breakfast. But you really can’t go wrong whichever way you enjoy them most.

Health benefits: Strawberries are packed with tons of healthy nutrients while still remaining surprisingly low in calories, making them an ideal snack or vibrant addition to a variety of meals. One, one cup serving of strawberries contains more than 160 percent of the daily recommended requirement of vitamin C, and they’re also high in folate, potassium, calcium and iron. In terms of fiber, each serving contains approximately three grams, which we all know is important for proper digestion. And strawberries are also high in antioxidants and flavonoids, which have both been found to help prevent cancer.

Nutritional statistics: One cup of halved strawberries contains approximately 50 calories, 0 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of dietary fiber, 7 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

Cooking Methods: Strawberries are quite versatile and can be used in an almost endless variety of dishes – both savory and sweet. Slice them up in salads, eat them whole, dip them in chocolate, add them to smoothies, roast them to add to sweet and savory dishes, and even add them to pizza! Check out our recipes below for some great ideas on how to cook with this delicious and versatile red fruit.

Recipes:

Sunflower Strawberry Salad

Strawberry Rice Krispie Cupcake Treats 

Savory Strawberry Pizza

Strawberry Salsa 

Roasted Strawberry Buttermilk Cake 

All that’s left to do now is make a trip to your local grocery store or farmers market and pick up a few pints of this fantastic red fruit. And don’t be afraid to get a little adventurous with them in the kitchen. Who knows, maybe savory strawberry pizza will be a new favorite in your home!

Also Read:

How to Cook with Chocolate

Posted on June 3, 2023 by Dana

How to Cook with Real Food: Joining the Real Food Revolution

As part of our weekly cooking series, we’re doing a special feature today on how to cook with real food, in celebration of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Day.

The idea is simple: Put away the fake ingredients and pre-made mixes and sauces and cook with real food for better health.

This idea is being brought to American dinner tables and school cafeterias by one seriously-determined British chef – Jamie Oliver. Oliver has started a movement both stateside and in Britain called the Food Revolution, which aims to get back to real, quality food, and move away from the high-fat, sugar-laden processed foods most Americans are eating today.

For a better sense of how Oliver views healthy eating, here is his food philosophy as stated on his website. (more…)

Posted on May 20, 2023 by Dana

How to Cook with Bok Choy

Before the name makes you run in fear, hear us out. Bok choy is a nutritious little cruciferous vegetable that deserves a second look, and an addition to your favorite meals. It takes on the flavors of just about any dish and is also incredibly healthy. Consider this your bok-choy guide, and be sure to check out the tasty recipes at the end of the post to give this tasty veggie a go.

What is bok choy? Bok choy is a leafy Chinese cabbage that’s especially common in China, the Phillipines, and Vietnam. But it’s also become popular in other regions and stateside as well. It’s of the brassica family and is known for its sweet, nutrition-packed stalks. Bok choy can resemble collards and even cabbage, and grows upright from the ground. It’s also commonly referred to pak choi, pet say, white celery mustard, or Chinese white cabbage.

Health benefits: While bok choy is low in calories, it’s incredibly high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and vitamin B6. It also contains several carotenoids, including beta carotene which is extremely beneficial for eye health. Bok choy is also high in dietary fiber, low in sodium and a good source of calcium and potassium. (more…)

Posted on May 13, 2023 by Dana

How to Cook with Chocolate

Chocolate is one of my very favorite foods. Chocolate ice cream, truffles, dark chocolate bars – I love it in all forms. And contrary to what some might think, chocolate is actually very healthy – that is, when eaten in the right forms and in moderate amounts.

After all, not all chocolate is created equal – you won’t reap the same health benefits from a Mars Bar that you would from a few squares of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate. So before you consider this article a license to go on an all-out candy binge, know the facts first and then proceed with your chocolate-loving habits.

What is chocolate? First, the egg before the chicken. Chocolate is derived from cocao beans, which are the seeds of the fruit from the cacao tree. The Aztecs were thought hold the cocoa bean in high value and even used it as currency. (more…)

Posted on May 6, 2023 by Dana

How to Cook with Chia Seeds

Chia seeds might not like much when you pick them up, but inside the walls of these tiny little black seeds lies a near infinite amount of nutrients.

After discovering chia seeds myself last year, I began adding them to all kinds of dishes – like oatmeal and smoothies – and have been reaping a bounty of health benefits ever since.

If you’ve never heard of the chia seed, you’re in luck as we’re unveiling everything you need to know about this curious little seed, including its health benefits, nutritional information, how it can be prepared, as well as several healthy recipes.

What is the chia seed? Ever heard of the popular terra-cotta Chia Pet from the 90s? Then you’ve heard of chia seeds, which were the seed behind the fuzzy green-headed plants. The chia plant is in the mint family – although the two look nothing alike – and is native to Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seeds can be eaten raw, soaked, and incorporated into recipes in a variety of different ways. They pack so many vitamins and nutrients that they’ve practically been placed in a superfood category of their own. (more…)

Posted on April 29, 2023 by Dana

How to Cook with Flaxseed

Flaxseed is one of my very favorite foods, and ironically enough, one of my husband’s least favorite foods. I think he’s afraid of its nutritional superpowers. But for me, it’s one of the few foods I can’t do without and even travel with as it keeps me well, regular.

With flaxseed’s tremendously high fiber content it keeps my body running like a well oil machine when I’m incorporating it into my diet along with other healthy foods and plenty of water.

What is flaxseed? It’s estimated that flaxseed, much like chia seeds, have been cultivated for thousands of years, originating in Babylon. They’re a tiny little seed that comes from the flaxseed plant, which when in full bloom produces a beautiful, bright purple flower. Flaxseed can be consumed as a whole seed, milled seed, or extracted oil.

Health benefits: First and foremost, flaxseed contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, which promotes healthy digestion. But they are also high in omega-3 fatty acids – or ‘good fats’ –  that contain phytoestrogens. These anti-inflammatory omega-3s have been shown to help boost the immune system, lower blood pressure, reduce blood clots, increase “good” HDL levels, lower triglyceride levels, and protect arteries from plaque buildup. Flaxseed also contains lignans, which have both plant estrogen and antioxidant qualities, and also promote regular digestion and have been shown to help prevent breast cancer.  (more…)

Posted on April 22, 2023 by Dana

How to Cook with Parsnips and 5 Deliciously Simple Parsnip Recipes

Root vegetables aren’t the most exciting food in the bunch, but despite their funny name and appearance they can be surprisingly delicious and high in vitamins and key nutrients. Such is the case with parsnips, a lesser-known root vegetable that’s been inching its way into the hands and hearts of foodies and getting more notoriety for its versatility, pleasant taste, and abundant health benefits.

What are parsnips? Parsnips are typically grown in colder weather, allowing their starches to convert into sugar and develop their sweet flavor. They harvest in late fall and like potatoes and carrots, are available throughout winter and spring. Their appearance is similar to an off-white or pale-yellow carrot. And they have a bulbous top that tapers down to a skinny root.

When looking for a quality parsnip, choose one that is small and firm and not limp or shriveled. Once you get it home, store in the produce drawer of your fridge and they should keep for about two to three weeks. (more…)

Posted on April 15, 2024 by Dana

How to Cook with Vanilla

When I think of vanilla, I think vanilla sugar cookies, vanilla cake with lots of icing, and melty vanilla ice cream in the summer time. Obviously I have a sugar problem, but that’s beside the point. The fact is, while vanilla – both the bean and the extract – is a common household ingredient, it packs some pretty serious health benefits that the common person doesn’t know about.

What is Vanilla? For starters, it’s one of the oldest and most expensive spices around. Vanilla beans are the pods or fruits from a tropical orchid, and are native to the tropical rain forest of Central America. The vanilla plant requires a supporting tree or pole to grow tall. And the plant’s fragile flowers only open for one day to be pollinated by bees or humming birds. However, commercially-grown vanilla is hand pollinated, and most commonly grown in Madagascar, India, Indonesia and the West Indies.  (more…)

Posted on April 8, 2024 by Dana

How to Cook with Arugula

Arugula is most commonly known as a salad green. But had you ever cooked with it? If not then get ready, because digging into this nutrient-rich green and showing you all the versatile ways it can be used so it can become a healthy staple in your kitchen in no time.

What is it? When I think arugula, I think leafy green with a peppery taste. And that’s true. But more accurately, it’s a cruciferous veggie that’s been dubbed a superior salad green. Arugula is in the same family as broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale. And compared to iceberg lettuce, arugula – also known as rocket or rucola –  has 70% more calcium, 50% more magnesium, 60% more beta-carotene, and 60% more Vitamin A. Now that’s one seriously nutrient-packed green.

Health benefits: Arugula is an excellent source of folate, a B Vitamin that supports the health of red blood cells and helps with energy production. A 2-cup serving contains plenty of Vitamin K and Vitamin A, and is a plant-based source of iron, making it an incredibly healthy nutrient option for vegans. (more…)

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Dana

How to Cook with Jicama

Ever felt afraid of cooking with unfamiliar ingredients, like jicama? Well fear not because we’re digging into the health benefits of this versatile food, and showing you several cooking techniques and recipes so it can become a healthy staple in your kitchen in no time.

What is it? 

Jicama (pronounced HEE-KA-MUH) is a round, bumpy root vegetable that’s actually in the legume family. It can be recognized by its brown, paper-like skin and white starchy flesh. It’s similar in texture to an apple or celery and takes on the flavor of the dishes it’s added to incredibly well, much like water chestnuts in Asian food. Jicama is also commonly referred to as a yam bean or Mexican turnip or potato.

Health Benefits:

Jicama has fewer carbohydrates than a potato, making it a great option for those watching their weight. And it’s also high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and contains a lot of water to help you stay hydrated. (more…)

Posted on March 24, 2024 by Dana