Healthier Alternatives To Frying Food

Frying is a popularly common method of cooking food.  However, because it requires oil or lard for food to be cooked, it is regarded as an unhealthy way of cooking.  The presence of lard increases the risks of certain heart diseases and obesity.  Fortunately, there are healthier alternatives to frying food without having to compromise its flavor.  There are also ways to block fat from forming like a green coffee bean extract diet supplement.

One of the most common alternative to frying is grilling.  It thoroughly cooks food even without using oil or lard.  In fact, grilling food makes it shed even more fat contained in it.  For example, when you grill pork kebabs, you would notice how the pork’s fat slides off the meat and onto the charcoal.  One great thing about this is that you could enjoy a nice barbecue meal outdoor with your family or friends while doing your health a favor.

Broiling is also a great alternative to frying.  This is a method of cooking wherein, with the use of a broiling pan, meat is exposed to extreme direct heat until it gets cooked.  The great thing about this method is that it lets oil and fat drip off from the meat while maintaining its moisture.  The result is a fat-free meal that is still juicy enough to enjoy.

Another great alternative is baking.  Almost any home has an oven and you would be amazed at how beneficial having one is.  Baking lets you cook your food in creative ways even without having to use oil, lard, or butter.  It also effectively removes excess fat from meat during the process.  French fries and breaded chicken are some of the most common fried foods that you could cook using baking as a cooking method.  You get the same crispy result with less fat.

If you could put a little effort in preparing your food, you could easily avoid frying with oil and lard altogether.  This way, you keep your heart healthy, prevent obesity, and still enjoy good food.

How To Make A Delicious Crawfish Po Boy Sandwich

When it comes to Southern style cooking one of the most popular dishes is the Crawfish Po Boy sandwich. In this dish you will taste the bayou right in your mouth and you will get to indulge in its rich, crispy goodness. This is a very easy to follow recipe that will take you right to the heart of Louisiana in one awesome sandwich.

What you will need:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp minced celery
1 tbsp minced shallots
1/2 tsp minced garlic
2 tbsp chopped green onions
3 tbsp ketchup
3 tbsp creole mustard
1 tsp crystal hot sauce

Salt and pepper
1/2 pound crawfish tails
1/2 cup masa
1/2 cup cornmeal

2 tbsp Creole seasoning recipe follows
Oil for frying
Salt and pepper

2 large French bread loaves
1/2 cup lettuce
6 slices of tomatoes

Directions:

1.) Pre-heat the fryer.
2.) Mix all ingredients for the sauce in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper then refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
3.) Season the crawfish with Creole seasoning (see below for recipe) then toss them in the masa and cornmeal together. Make sure to cover crawfish completely then shake off excess.
4.) Fry the crawfish for 3 to 4 minutes or until they are golden brown. Once fried, remove them from the fryer and place them on paper-lined plates to absorb the excess oil. Sprinkle more Creole seasoning on the crawfish.
5.) Assemble the sandwich by slicing the bread in half. Spread the sauce on both sides then place the crawfish inside. Top with lettuce and tomatoes then serve with your favorite potato chips on the side.

Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Eating King Cake In The Good Old South

New Orleans is known for many delicious dishes ranging from those with the distinct Creole flavor of shrimp and crawfish, the Po Boy sandwich, and so much more. This city however, is also known for celebrating their people’s sweet tooth and their love for anything and everything that is laden with sugar. During Mardi Gras time in the good old south the tradition is to eat King Cake.

Many of you might be wondering what is all the fuss about King Cake. This is actually a round of sweet dough glazed with purple, gold, and green sugar and is baked with a plastic baby hidden inside. The baby is actually a representation of Jesus so eating King Cake is also a way of showing one’s faith. The tradition is that whoever gets the slice with baby in it will be the person who will host the next party or buy the next cake. In this way, the continuity is preserved and there will always be a reason for another get-together with loved ones. In New Orleans the King Cake is popular all over the region not just because of its delicious taste but also because the tradition has been well loved for many years now.

The colors of green, gold and purple symbolize faith, love and justice which is the strong reason behind every celebration of the Mardi Gras in this exciting southern city. The cake is typically braided and can have such delectable fillings such as cream cheese, fruit filling and pudding. For those who are not very familiar with this type of pastry it can be likened to a sweet ring of brioche dough with streaks of cinnamon for added flavor and spice to the cake.

The next time you are in New Orleans make sure that you get invited to a party where King Cake is served. You will love just how the sugary sweet treat caps off delightful meal of Creole dishes.

Tips On How To Stay Health WIth Southern Cooking

Southern cooking is generally known to be heavy on oil and butter and involves a lot of frying. It has been receiving bad rap for many years because these calorie-rich dishes are just not good for the health. While most Southerners do not have any qualms about consuming such greasy food on an almost daily basis, health buffs are becoming more concerned about cutting the fat and making Southern eating a lot healthier.

These are ways on how to stay healthy with Southern cooking:

1.) Choose better alternatives.
If you can cut the fat on some of your dishes then do so without sacrificing the flavor. Reduce the use of butter and use Canola oil instead which is a much healthier option. This type of oil contains the least saturated fat and still gets the job done. It is also rich in Omega 3 and is a good source of Vitamin E.

2.) Go for yogurt instead of Mayonnaise.
Non-fat Greek yogurt contains lesser fat than mayonnaise but still helps you cut the grease in your fried foods. It will still give you enough flavor and punch to enhance your buffalo wing or your French fries minus the guilt.

3.) Go Lean.
If you are planning on making that famous Creole dish called the Jambalaya rice you might want to try using white chicken meat instead of the calorie-heavy sausage. You can also try using lean cuts of beef such as sirloin and flank steak.

4.) Go baked or grilled instead of fried.
Deep frying is the most fattening way to cook food. The lesser evil would be to use your oven to cook your food. Just spray a little cooking oil on a baking dish and you will have the same delicious food in no time. Grilling can also bring out the flavor in your meat in a great way without causing your arteries to get clogged from using too much oil. Thanks to our friends at weightlosspunch.com for helping give us some of these great tips on staying healthier.