Monday, February 22, 2010

French Cooking

French Cooking

For many people, French cooking is the pinnacle of all regional cuisines all over the world. When people hear French food, they immediately associate it with ultimate lusciousness with impeccable elegance. But what makes this type of cooking so special? Is it all a hype, or is French cooking really revered by most food connoisseurs everywhere?

French cooking is special because of the way French people value their food so much. Eating is sacred for the French, if you have heard of their 5-hour dinners and thought of it as an exaggeration, you are wrong. French people really value their meals so much that they devote a lot of time for eating, making it an activity that is central to their daily lives. And for many of those who have tried authentic French cooking, the long sittings are really worth it.
Because the French value their cooking so much, they put nothing but the best in their cuisine. Only the best ingredients are allowed to touch the French kitchen whether it be vegetables, fruits, meats, poultry, condiments or anything else. The French also believe in the seasonality of food so ingredients are only obtained during their best times and thus they are able give their best flavors.

The best ingredients of course deserve the best treatment. And this is why French cooking seems so elaborate. French cooks and chefs take all the efforts in celebrating the wonders of food. They don’t want quality ingredients fresh from their sources to go to waste and so much care and skill are devoted to the French way of cooking.

The French are also keen to exhibit the great efforts they’ve devoted to their cooking by presenting their food in such lavish displays that by themselves are works of art. Some think that the French presentation of food is unnecessary especially garish. But this isn’t true for the French. For them, eating involves all the senses, not only taste, but sound, smell, touch, and sight.

This is why when you are about to take part in French cooking, you are sure to satisfy not only your stomach or taste buds, but your spirit as well. French cooking comes from the very heart of the French culture. It’s not all buzz, but everything you hear about French food is true. Try it out for yourself, and enjoy the delectable offerings of French cooking.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Low Fat Cooking

Low Fat Cooking Tips and Recipes

If you have to eat healthy but don’t have the time to prepare what you must eat, then you have to maximize, right? You need to meet the required dietary amount of fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains and proteins despite your busy schedule in order to maintain your health.

Therefore, you should try low-fat cooking regimens to spice up your eating lifestyle and to keep you motivated in eating healthy. Here are some of them.

1. Salmon has Omega 3

Salmon may not be the leanest fish but it does give you the required amount of Omega 3 that you need. It has garlic and olive oil; which are two of the powerhouses of nutrition.

2. Making the most out of chicken breast

If you’re getting sick and tired of always having to eat chicken breasts (because it has the lowest fat content), you can cook it in different ways for variety. You can cook it with pasta and broccoli, with pineapple or make chicken soup.

3. Your vegetables as a work of art

If you’re not craving microwaved broccoli or sautéd vegetables with chicken broth. You can also microwave sweet potatoes instead of broccoli. If you want additional flavor, you can drizzle it with honey.

4. Spicing up the fruits

You can mix blueberries and strawberries with low-fat cottage cheese for a snack. It may be light but it’s filling because of the healthy nutrients you’re getting. You can sauté sliced nectarines or peaches and drop a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla on them. You can also broil baked bananas and flavor them with some cinnamon.

5. Lowering the fat content

In place of oil, use cooking sprays. A light mist is enough to keep the food from sticking. Get the brands that have canola oil or olive oil. There are some brands offering flavors for the food.

6. Remove the skin from poultry and trim the fat from the meat. Do this before refrigerating them so you won’t forget. It also saves you time when you want to cook.

7. It helps to have a bottle of water near you. A giant sports bottle will do the trick. Fill it up every morning and toss some ice cubes in it and you’re good for the day. Water will help your digestion and will also keep your skin clear. Drinking the required 8 to 10 glasses of water is the best thing you can do for your body.