7 Ways to Enhance the Flavor of Your Meals and 0 Fat About it!

“The fat is where the flavor is”, says every Chef. You do not have to go through culinary training to get all the flavor and zero fat. Cooking at home can be healthy, rewarding and cost-effective. And, according to research, taste tops nutrition as the main reason why Americans buy one food over another. The foods you enjoy are likely the ones you eat the most, so make taste a kitchen priority when preparing healthy, nutritious meals.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers cooking tips to enhance flavor and retain nutrients without adding extra fat, calories or salt. To maximize food's flavor and nutrition, start with high-quality ingredients at their peak quality. They don't need to be the most expensive foods or served in big portions. It's also important to handle and store foods properly, because poor storage destroys flavor and quality.

Overcooking can destroy flavor and nutrients. So cook to retain nutrients, flavor, color, texture and overall appeal. Cooking cannot improve poor-quality foods, but it can enhance the flavors of high-quality foods.

Try these 7 simple tips to enhance flavor and experiment with flavor combinations.

1. Intensify the flavors of meat, poultry and fish with high-heat cooking techniques such as pan-searing, grilling or broiling, which help to brown meat and add flavor. Just don't overcook, burn or char meat.
2. Grill or roast veggies in a very hot (450°F) oven or grill for a sweet, smoky flavor. Before popping them into the oven, brush or spray lightly with oil so they don't dry out and sprinkle with herbs. Good quality, cold press Olive Oil is always a great option and it add great flavor.
3. Caramelize sliced onions to bring out their natural sugar flavor by cooking them slowly over low heat in a small amount of oil and a pinch of salt. Use them to make a rich, dark sauce for meat, poultry, also a great flavor profile base for stews or soups without additional calories.
4. Pep it up with peppers! Use red, green and yellow peppers of all varieties — sweet, hot and dried. Or, add a dash of hot pepper sauce (yes, Sriracha is life!). The colors of the peppers means different stages of the ripening process. Some can even be sweet, didn’t think that from a pepper huh!
5. Add a tangy taste with citrus juice or grated citrus peel: lemon, lime or orange. Acidic ingredients help lift and balance flavor, and also brightens up the dish.
6. Use small amounts of ingredients with bold flavors such as pomegranate seeds, chipotle pepper, cilantro, basil, rosemary, ginger, garlic. These awesome species not only bring flavor but contributes to your daily intake of vitamins and minerals. They also play a role in your digestion, give them a go!
7. When feeling risky, give a flavor burst with good-quality condiments such as horseradish, flavored mustard, chutney, wasabi, bean purees, tapenade and salsas of all kinds.

Perhaps the fat is not really where the flavor is. Some taste friendly goodies grow!

References: www.eatright.org