4 of 23

Write now Article Tools

It's not what you cook, it's the way that you cook it.

Think about it, you could buy the healthiest, organic vegetables, but if you deep fry them and coat them in a thick full fat cream sauce, they're hardly going to be healthy anymore are they?

So, the secret to being a healthy cook, is not so much about the food you cook, as knowing the best and worst ways to prepare the food.

The worst ways (like deep frying and smothering in cream sauce) being the ones to avoid!

MEAT, FISH AND POULTRY
The best ways to prepare these is to grill, or stir fry using a little olive and sesame seed oil.

Coconut oil is also very good, as this has been found to have some amazing properties, and is also able to withstand higher heats than other oils without the risk of oxidisation. In addition it has also been shown to boost metabolism which is great if trying to lose weight.

When grilling, especially meats, if possible grill on a rack, as this allows the fat to drip through. Proper griddle pans are also good for this. Believe me, once you see the fat pooled at the end of one of those after cooking a lamb chop you're highly unlikely to cook them in a frying pan again!

Using a rack is also a great way to roast your meat, as again, the fat will drip through the rack into the tray underneath. So you can still have that lovely Sunday roast if you wish, just cook it on a rack.

Barbecuing is also another very healthy way to cook meat, fish, poultry etc. One of the best Christmas roasts I have ever cooked was on a Webber (kettle drum) BBQ.

When cooking mince, don't add any oil to the pan, start it off at a very low heat, the fat from the mince will melt, once this has happened you can then turn the heat up. Also drain the fat from the pan regularly, especially if adding other ingredients to make a sauce.

VEGETABLES
Stir frying is also a great way to cook vegetables, as they are cooked fast and retain most of their nutrients.

Boiling is not really a good option for most vegetables, as you end up tipping most of the goodness away with the water. Instead of boiling, try steaming, you can steam for a short while so they remain crisp, or longer if you prefer your vegetables softer. Of course, eating vegetable raw is very good for you, just ensure you wash them thoroughly before use.

Another great way to prepare vegetables is to blanch them, this really gives you the best of both worlds, as they basically remain raw, but immersing them for a few seconds (around 30) will kill most bacteria.

PREPARATION AND

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How to be a healthy cook?
We want to hear your view. Write now!