| Being health conscious seems to be part | | | | unsweetened applesauce to the batter for |
| of everyone's lifestyle today. Here are | | | | a moist healthier cake. |
| a few helpful tips taken from the Good | | | | • USE EGG BEATERS |
| Cooking Central website that you can use | | | | Substitute Egg Beaters for half of the |
| as a guide for more tasteful and | | | | eggs in mostly egg dishes (use 1/4 cup |
| healthful eating: | | | | of Egg Beaters substitute per egg). |
| • ALTERNATIVES TO COOKING WITH BUTTER: | | | | • IT'S O.K. TO USE LESS |
| When browning or sautéing onions, | | | | Use less oil or butter for frying than |
| hamburger, etc., replace the butter by | | | | the recipe calls for. Using about a |
| spraying your skillet with non-stick | | | | tsp. of olive or canola oil can usually |
| spray or use chicken or beef broth | | | | suffice. Using olive or canola oil |
| instead. | | | | instead of fat, butter or shortening for |
| When baking, use reduced-calorie | | | | most recipes is a healthier choice. |
| margarine instead of butter (but note | | | | • USE RUBS OR MARINADES - GRILL FOODS |
| that the texture may not always come out | | | | TO ADD FLAVOUR. |
| the same). Non-fat margarines currently | | | | 1. Rubs are dry spice blends and |
| on the market do not tend bake well. | | | | usually include both salt and sugar. |
| Cutting butter in some of your recipes | | | | They are rubbed directly on and into the |
| can cut a lot of the calories making it | | | | meat before cooking. They add a mild |
| a diet-friendly option. | | | | flavour, but if you add the rub a day or |
| • CUTTING FAT WITH APPLESAUCE: | | | | so in advance the flavour of the spices |
| To reduce the fat content in your baking | | | | will penetrate more into the meat. |
| recipes, substitute applesauce for half | | | | 2. Marinades are liquid and can be made |
| of the amount of vegetable oil called | | | | from a variety of ingredients, but most |
| for in the recipe. Using all applesauce | | | | importantly include something acidic |
| produces a low-calorie, moist product. | | | | (like lemon or lime juice, vinegar, |
| • TO CUT CALORIES: | | | | yoghurt or fruit like papayas, pineapple |
| To cut calories when making stir-frys | | | | or kiwis). This adds enzymes to the |
| and stews that contain both vegetables | | | | meat which tenderize it. Use caution in |
| and meat reduce the amount of meat by 1 | | | | the amount of time you marinade meat to |
| 3 and increase the amount of vegetables | | | | avoid the meat becoming "mushy". A |
| by 1/3. | | | | general rule is, for seafood as little |
| • USE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT | | | | as 15 minutes, 4-6 hours for thin cuts |
| Eating healthy doesn't have to taste | | | | of meat and up to 12 hours for larger |
| bland or bad. Using the right equipment | | | | cuts. |
| can make a world of difference in the | | | | 3. Use a re-sealable plastic bag to |
| healthy dishes you prepare. For | | | | marinate meats. Add the marinade and |
| example, using a simple grill pan | | | | meat into the bag, seal, and shake or |
| provides you with a lot of flexibility | | | | mush together to combine. Then let sit |
| in your meals. You can grill everything | | | | in the fridge for the required amount of |
| from fruits and vegetables to meats, | | | | time. |
| while the fat just drips away. | | | | 4. Never re-use marinades. If you wish |
| • CUTTING FAT FROM A BROWNIE RECIPE | | | | to make a sauce or gravy from the |
| To cut fat from a brownie recipe, you | | | | marinade the meat has been in, boil the |
| may cut the butter back from 8 TBSP. to | | | | marinade for at least two minutes. |
| 3 TBSP. and add 5 TBSP. of fat-free sour | | | | 5. Brush the extra marinade onto the |
| cream to the batter to make up the | | | | meat before grilling for extra flavour. |
| difference. | | | | Use it like a barbeque sauce, but be |
| • CUTTING OIL FROM A CAKE MIX RECIPE | | | | sure to let it cook through |
| When making up a cake from a cake mix, | | | | If you would like to read more tips and |
| do not add the ½ cup of oil the recipe | | | | hints, and get great recipes too, visit |
| calls for. Instead add ½ cup of | | | | the Good Cooking Central website. |