how to make comfort food healthier

How to Make Comfort Food Healthier.

Comfort food is delicious in part because it provides relief from anything from cold weather to stress. Though comfort foods can make you feel better in the short term, they can contribute detrimentally to your overall health. Common culprits include dishes that feature high amounts of fat, sodium, and/or sugar. Fortunately, there are some helpful tricks that can help you make some classic comfort foods healthier.

Method 1 Adjusting Classic Comfort Food Recipes.

1. Make homemade mac & cheese. You can reduce the amount of fat and sodium in this classic comfort dish by adjusting of few of its main ingredients. Namely, use 1% milk instead of cream or whole milk, reduce the amount of butter you usually include, and replace some of the cheese with corn starch. Further, use a sharp cheddar cheese, as this will contain less fat.

Opt for whole grain noodles, and make the dish especially flavorful by adding your favorites herbs and spices. Basil and turmeric are especially good seasoning options.

For another great alternative to classic mac and cheese, add two tablespoons of parmesan cheese to a cup of tomato sauce and mix this with the macaroni noodles. This dish will contain much less fat.

2. Use lean meat options. Chili and stews, for example, are other popular comfort foods. To make this type of meat dish healthier, use more vegetables and beans than meat, and opt for poultry instead of beef. If you’re hooked on red meat, select especially lean options, such as bison chuck or grass-fed beef.

A great alternative to a classic sloppy joe recipe calls for ground turkey, a tomato-based sauce made with plenty of veggies, and a whole wheat bread option instead of ground beef on white.

Grass-fed beef has the same amount of fat as skinless chicken, and grass-fed meats have omega-3s.

3. Bake a low-cal casserole. Casseroles are another comfort dish that usually include lots of fat. When baking a casserole, use low-calorie ingredients such as fat-free sour cream and low-fat cheese. Harder cheeses, such as sharp, aged cheddar will generally be lower in fat and can add flavor to many dishes.

When you’re craving casserole, consider baking vegetables such as potatoes and collard greens instead. A dish like this will provide the warmth and sustenance you’re looking for, with much greater nutritional value.

4. Bake chicken instead of frying it. Toss thinly sliced chicken tenderloins in hot sauce and lemon juice and bake them to make healthy hot wings. Dip them in low-cal blue cheese dressing for the complete experience. You can even make faux “fried” chicken by covering the tenderloins in almond flour mixed with coconut oil. Sauté to seal the coating, and bake until the chicken is fully cooked.

5. Opt for healthy soups. Some soups contain surprisingly high amounts of fat and sodium. If a recipe calls for a creamy soup, go with a low-sodium, reduced-fat option. Alternatively, use 60 – 70% of what the recipe calls for, and substitute low-fat milk for the lost liquid.

When craving soup, go for a tomato or broth-based option. Minestrone and vegetable soups are good choices. Always get the low- or reduced-sodium option, when available. Include a salad or whole grain bread with soup to balance your meal and fill you up with healthy fiber.

If you want a meat soup, go for a chicken soup that contains lots of peas, carrots, onions, and/or other vegetables.

Soups are easy to make. Make a large pot at home with low fat-ingredients. Freeze the leftovers and heat them quickly in the microwave for a quick, hearty dish.

Method 2 Keeping Your Sweet Tooth Sated.

1. Savor sweet potato fries. Another comfort food that is especially easy to crave is french fries. When this craving kicks in, go for baked sweet potato fries instead of classic fried french fries. This will significantly reduce the fat and overall calories of your snack.

Slice a sweet potato into sticks or slivers and spread them on a baking sheet coating with coconut oil. Sprinkle a conservative amount of salt and any herbs you favor on top. Bake the fries at 375°F (191°C) for about 20 minutes.

Not only are sweet potatoes healthier than french fries, they make for a relatively healthy dessert as well. Use sweet instead of savory herbs, such as nutmeg and cinnamon.

2. Go for pie filling instead of pie. One of the less healthy components of pie is the crust; however, you can indulge in a pie filling-like custard if a pie craving hits. For instance, combine pureed pumpkin flesh with 1/2 cup low-fat milk, four eggs,2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice, and 1 teaspoon liquid stevia (try pumpkin-spice or vanilla flavored). Pour into six greased ramekins and bake at 350°F for 45 – 50 min.

If you miss the crust terribly, sprinkle some crushed graham crackers on your serving to add a bit of crunch.

To make this and other recipes that call for eggs healthier, replace each whole egg with two egg whites.

3. Opt for dark chocolate. Dark chocolate — on its own or in a recipe — can be a great treat. Not only is it delicious, dark chocolate can provide you with healthy antioxidants, and has less fat and sugar. In fact, the darker the better. Go for an option that’s made of at least 70% cocoa.

If cookies are on your minds, use dark chocolate chips. Further, use some quinoa flour and ground flaxseed, and replace some of the sugar in the recipe with a banana.

Method 3 Establishing Some Comfort Food Ground Rules.

1. Season with spices and herbs. You may find that dishes with less fat, sodium, and sugar don’t seem as flavorful; however, you can expand your palate and learn to appreciate the taste of foods more fully by using herbs and spices to bring out flavors.

Experiment with different herbs to find some you favor. Spices are also usually healthy, though make sure a mixed spice isn’t mostly salt.

2. Cut back on cheese. Cheese is one of the most commonly consumed sources of saturated fat, and is high in sodium and calories as well. When a recipe calls for cheese, use a low-fat version. Look for cheeses with less than 3 grams of fat per serving. If you do use full-fat cheese, use less of it than the recipe calls for. Often, half the cheese called for will usually be sufficient.

Sharp cheddar and parmesan are generally decent options. You can also get away with using less of these cheeses more easily, since they are stronger in flavor.

When a recipe calls for cream cheese, use fat-free cream cheese blended in a one-to-one ratio with plain Greek yogurt. This is especially preferable for dips.

3. Eat for comfort less often. If you’re in the habit of eating comfort food frequently, try to cut back. Plan a comfort dish for the end of the week and look forward to it. To prevent cravings for unhealthy food in the first place, eat high-protein, high-fiber meals that are low in sugar. These are the best types of meals to keep you full.

Further, whenever hunger strikes, drink a full glass of water. Often, people mistake thirst for hunger and wind up consuming unnecessary calories.

4. Eat comfort foods as sides. Get in the habit of eating dishes like mac and cheese alongside at least an equal-sized portion of veggies. For instance, carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower are easy to steam, and taste great with cheesy or meaty side-dishes. If you prefer, mix veggies directly into whatever less-healthy food you've been dreaming about.

5. Eat smaller portions. When you do indulge in a comfort food of questionable nutritional value, get in the habit of eating smaller amounts. One way to do so is by eating mindfully. Sit down to eat, and focus only on your food. In fact, focus on each bite. Consider how each mouthful tastes and feels. Since this practice itself will calm you down, you’ll feel content more quickly.

November 26, 2019

how to turn a regular recipe into a low fat recipe

How to Turn a Regular Recipe Into a Low Fat Recipe.

A great way to turn a regular recipe into a low-fat recipe is to reduce the fat by altering some of the ingredients. Some of the alterations to make recipes low-fat may cost a little more than the ingredients you have been using but the health benefits will pay off. Altering a recipe to make it low-fat should be done a little at a time instead of replacing all the fatty ingredients to low-fat alternatives at one time. You may find that replacing them all makes the food not appealing, while leaving just one of the regular ingredients, or a portion of one, makes for a winning recipe.

Method 1 Meat.

1. Purchase extra lean ground beef. You will not find your meat floating in grease as you cook it, and you will still gain the benefits offered from red meat.

2. Use ground turkey in place of hamburger. The taste of ground turkey is slightly different than that of beef, but the health benefits of the exchange are worth any difference in taste. When used in casseroles or dishes where the meat is mixed in with other ingredients, any flavor difference is hardly distinguishable.

3. Opt for white meat instead of dark meat poultry. The white meat contains less fat than the dark. Also, turkey has less fat than chicken, but both are great low-fat meat options.

4. Remove the skins from any chicken or turkey used. You can remove it before or after cooking. Though skin helps retain moisture in the meat while cooking and adds moisture because of its fat content, the skin itself contains no nutritional value, only fat, and can be discarded.

5. Replace pork with turkey products. Use turkey ham instead of pork ham--you will be surprised at how close to "real" ham the turkey ham is. Consider switching to turkey bacon instead of "real" bacon too.

6. Get the tuna that is packaged in water instead of the tuna that is packaged in oil. The difference in flavor between the two is of no consequence, but the difference in the amount of fat is great.


Method 2 Dairy and Other Baking Items.

1. Switch to skim milk instead of 2% or whole.

2. Substitute applesauce for butter or oils in baked goods recipes. The switch-off is in equivalent amounts. Most baked good recipes need a little bit of fat. Consider substituting half the fat at first and experimenting from there with the percentage of fat you switch out.

3. Use egg substitute in place of real eggs. The replacement of 1/4 cup of egg substitute per each egg called for in the recipe lowers the fat in the recipe but does little to effect the texture or flavor of your baked goods.

4. Coat pans with spay oil instead of pouring tablespoons of vegetable oil into the pan to cook with. Use water or stock to cook food with to keep things from sticking to the bottom instead of the butter or oil a recipe calls for.

5. Replace the cream in cream soup recipes with low-fat plain yogurt and regular milk. Replacing with yogurt works well also in cakes and most baked goods.

6. Exchange regular items for low-fat items in recipes. When mixed in with other ingredients, some items respond the same in the recipe without carrying all the fat with them. In recipes, use low-fat cheeses, yogurts, mayonnaise, salad dressings, sour cream, cream cheese and cream soups.

November 25, 2019

How to Use Quinoa

How to Use Quinoa.

Quinoa is a whole grain cooked over the stove like rice. As quinoa is a great source of fiber and protein, adding quinoa to your diet can be a great way to add extra nutrients. There are a number of ways to eat quinoa. You can eat quinoa on its own, add it to meals, mix it in with foods, and use it for baking.

Method 1 Making Meals with Quinoa.
1. Eat quinoa on its own. Quinoa is cooked over the stove and is usually ready in about 20 minutes. Quinoa has a mild, nutty flavor and can be eaten on its own with minimal flavoring as a snack or lunch. A bowl of quinoa is a little bland, but it can be a good option for a quick and filling meal.
As quinoa does not have a lot of flavor, a bowl of quinoa can be a great meal if you're feeling a little queasy.
2. Make a breakfast or lunch bowl with quinoa. Add quinoa to a bowl and then mix in other ingredients and spices. Quinoa served in a bowl with a fried egg, veggies, a little cheese, and some hot sauce can be a great breakfast bowl. You can add any combination of foods and spices you want to a bowl of quinoa, due to its mild flavor, and have a great and quick meal for breakfast or lunch.
If you're eating lunch on the go, a quinoa bowl is a great option. It is easy to pack a quinoa bowl in a Tupperware container the way you would pack a salad.
3. Stuff vegetables with quinoa. There are many stuffed vegetable recipes, such as stuffed peppers, that require stuffing vegetables with things like beans, rice, or meats. You can substitute cooked quinoa in these recipes if you have quinoa you need to use. Quinoa can add extra fiber and nutrients to a meal, especially when used over heavier stuffings like ground beef.
4. Eat quinoa for breakfast. If you usually eat something like oatmeal for breakfast, try substituting quinoa instead. Add a bit of maple syrup to your quinoa and some nuts for a quick breakfast on the go.
Leftover quinoa can also be used as a cereal. Add some quinoa to a bowl and mix in some fresh berries. Fill the bowl with milk for a quick, easy, and nutritious breakfast.
5. Make a pasta dish with quinoa. Noodles do not have as many nutrients as quinoa and tend to have more calories. Try substituting quinoa for noodles in a pasta recipe. Instead of making spaghetti with noodles, for example, mix your sauce, meat, and cheese into a bowl of quinoa. You will still get the same basic flavor, but without the empty carbs.

Method 2 Adding Quinoa to Other Foods
1. Add quinoa to a salad. If you're having a salad for lunch or dinner, mix a handful of leftover quinoa into your vegetables. This will add extra fiber and protein,making the meal more filling and nutritious.
Nuts are frequently used to add protein to a salad. While nuts are nutritious, they are high calorie. If you're trying to cut back on calories, substitute quinoa for nuts in your salad.
As quinoa has a mild flavor, it blends well with a variety of different dressings and flavor profiles.
2. Stir quinoa into chili. A hearty chili is a great meal if you want something quick and easy to reheat. To add extra fiber and nutrients to a chili dish, mix in some quinoa during the last 15 minutes of cooking time. About two cups is enough for a full batch of chili.
Remember, quinoa only has a mild flavor. You do not need to go overboard adding extra spices after throwing in your quinoa.
3. Use quinoa instead of breadcrumbs. For things like breaded chicken or pastas topped with breadcrumbs, breadcrumbs often add unnecessary extra calories without extra nutrients. Instead of breading chicken with breadcrumbs, bread it with cooked quinoa. You can still follow the recipe more or less the same, but swap out breadcrumbs for cooked quinoa.
4. Use quinoa in a smoothie. A smoothie can be a quick and healthy snack to have before or after a workout. However, smoothies are sometimes not filling. Adding extra protein to your smoothie can help you get full faster, so add some quinoa to your smoothie before blending it. Due to quinoa's mild flavor, it will not interfere with the existing ingredient's flavors.

Method 3 Baking with Quinoa.
1. Add quinoa to a quiche. Quinoa can add extra protein and antioxidants to a quiche. For every eight eggs you add to a quiche, you can add one cup of cooked quinoa. The next time you're baking a quiche, try adding quinoa to add nutrients to the dish.
2. Bake energy bars with quinoa. Combine two cups of quinoa with a cup of whole wheat flour. Then, add any mix-ins you want such as dried fruits, chocolate chips, or seeds. Add two cups of oats, one egg, and a teaspoon of baking soda. Form the batter into bars and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. This will make great energy bars to eat as a nutritious snack throughout the day.
3. Fold quinoa into a cake batter. If you want to add a little nutrition to cake, sprinkle some cooked quinoa into the batter and then mix it in. This will not interfere with your cake's flavor, but it will help slow down blood sugar spikes after eating a slice of cake.
Keep in mind, a cake is not a healthy option even with the addition of quinoa. It is still high in sugar and should only be eaten as a treat.

April 02, 2020

how to make potstickers guo tie

How to Make Potstickers (Guo Tie).

Called "guotie" in Mandarin, and translated to "potstickers" in English, these are a popular type of dumpling traditionally eaten in many Asian countries. Follow the instructions below to make the guo tie completely from scratch, or purchase potsticker or Chinese dumpling wrappers ready-made and make your own filling. The following recipe makes about 20 dumplings, enough to serve as a meal for three or four people, or an appetizer for ten.





Making the Potsticker Wrappers.



Ingredients.

Potsticker Wrappers (alternatively, use storebought wrappers).

2 cups (480 mL) all-purpose flour (have extra on-hand).

1/3 cup (80 mL) boiling water.

2/3 cup (160 mL) room temperature water.

1 egg (optional).

1/4 tsp (1 mL; a small pinch) salt (optional).

1 tsp (5 mL) vegetable oil (optional).



Mix boiling and room temperature water together. The potsticker dough may reach a better consistency if the water is slightly warm.[1] Boil 1/3 cup (80 mL) water, then remove from heat and add 2/3 cup (160 mL) room temperature water.

Alternatively, heat 1 cup (240 mL) water on low heat and remove from heat after one to three minutes. If the water begins to simmer or boil, remove from heat and let cool to slightly above room temperature before using.



Consider adding optional ingredients. While none of these ingredients are required to make guo tie, some recipes call for salt, vegetable oil, and/or egg.[2][3] Stirring roughly 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt (or a small pinch) into the water may add flavor. The other optional ingredients should be added to the flour instead, before you continue to the next step. Mix the flour with 1 tsp (5 mL) vegetable oil and/or 1 small egg to add flavor and help the dough stick together. Continue as usual, but be aware that the egg will add more liquid to the dough, so you will probably not end up using all your water in the next step.

If this is your first time making potstickers, you may wish to skip this step to keep things simple. If the wrappers fall apart or taste too bland, you may add one or more of these ingredients in your next attempt.



Mix the water gradually into the flour until it becomes sticky. Put 2 cups (480mL) all-purpose flour into a large bowl. Add the warm water a little at a time, stirring the ingredients together with chopsticks or a wooden mixing spoon. Stop adding water once the dough feels slightly sticky, and there is no more dry flour visible.

Depending on the brand of flour and the humidity in your kitchen, you may not need to use all of the water you prepared. Keep the extra water around during the next few steps in case the dough dries out.



Knead the dough with your hands until it becomes smooth. Once the dough becomes too sticky to stir, place the dough on a clean, lightly floured surface and knead the flour and water together. The dough should become smooth within a few minutes of kneading. Stop when the dough has no lumps and can be formed into a ball.

Add a light dusting of flour to the work surface or your hands if the dough sticks to them. Knead in more flour if the dough is too wet to work with.

If you see dry flour that isn't mixed into the dough, or if the dough won't stick together into a ball, add a little more warm water and knead it in.

Remember to wash and dry your hands thoroughly before you begin kneading.



Wrap the dough and let it sit 10–30 minutes. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or place it in a small bowl and cover it with plastic wrap or a damp cloth. This will trap the moisture released by the dough and cause it to soften.[4] Let the dough sit for at least 10 minutes, and preferably for half an hour.

To save time, make the filling while you wait. This step does not have to be precisely timed, so return to the dough once you are done making the filling.



Divide the dough into roughly twenty pieces. Return to the dough after it's had enough time to "relax," or soften into an easily manipulated ball. Pull it apart into small pieces, each one using about 1/20th of the total dough. You may find it easier if you first divide the dough into four large pieces, then cut each of these large pieces into five smaller ones.

Alternatively, you may use your hand to roll out the entire ball of dough into a long log 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Cut this log into discs 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) wide.[5]



Roll each piece of dough into a circle. Sprinkle flour over a flat, clean counter or cutting board to prevent the dough from sticking. Use a rolling pin to flatten each piece of dough over this surface, creating circles about 3 inches (7.5 cm) across.[6] Use smaller circles if the dough breaks apart or looks translucent, as the dumplings may fall apart if they are rolled too thin.

You can speed up the rolling process by using the heel of your palm to flatten each piece of dough into a roughly circular shape before you roll it out more thoroughly.

Filling the potstickers may be easier if you keep the center of the circle thick and the outside edges thin.



Sprinkle each circle with flour. After each circle is finished, sprinkle both sides generously with flour to prevent sticking, and add it to the stack of finished dough circles. Your dumpling wrappers are now complete.



Keep the wrappers wet. Cover wrappers with a damp paper towel to keep them moist as you work. Once you have made the wrappers, it is best to fill them immediately before they dry out. Store unused wrappers in the fridge if you will use them within a few days, or freeze them and use any time in the next few months.[7]







Making the Filling.



Ingredients Filling.

1/2 lb (250 g) ground meat (pork, shrimp, or beef are all common).

1 cup (240 mL) Napa cabbage, Chinese cabbage, or bok choy (finely chopped).

2 tsp (10 mL) sesame oil or Chinese cooking wine.

1 tsp (5 mL) fresh ginger.

1 tsp (5 mL) fresh garlic.

1-2 stalk(s) green onion.

2 tsp (10 mL) soy sauce.

1 tsp (5 mL) salt.

1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) pepper.

1/4 cup (60 mL) chicken stock (optional).



Finely chop the cabbage. Finely chop the vegetables until you have 1 cup (240 mL). While you can use any hard, leafy, green vegetables, guo tie are traditionally made using Napa cabbage or bok choy. Both of these vegetables are sometimes sold under the name "Chinese cabbage."

If you are making vegetarian potstickers, chop 2 cups (480 mL) of vegetables instead.



Remove excess moisture from the cabbage. Toss the chopped cabbage in 1 tsp (5 mL) salt. Let sit five minutes while the salt draws out moisture, then drain the cabbage in a strainer or colander.[8]



Peel and chop other herbs and vegetables. To add a spicy flavor to the guo tie, peel fresh ginger and fresh garlic, then chop them finely until you have 1 tsp (5 mL) of each. Finally chop one or two stalks of green onion (scallions).



Mix the vegetables and ground meat together. Mix these vegetables in a large bowl containing ground or finely minced meat. In different areas of Asia, ground pork, beef, or shrimp are all commonly used, or a mixture of these.

Wash your hands in warm, soapy water after handling raw meat to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful bacteria. Clean any surfaces or utensils that came into contact with the meat in hot, soapy water once you are done using them.



Add seasonings. Mix in 2 tsp (10 mL) soy sauce, 2 tsp (20 mL) sesame oil or Chinese cooking wine, and 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) pepper. There are many variations on this recipe, and you may decide to replace some seasonings or add your own. Other common options include 1/4 cup (60 mL) chicken stock or chicken broth, a dash of chili powder, or a dash of Chinese five spice powder.[9]

If you'd like to adjust the seasonings before you make the potstickers, take a small spoonful of filling and fry it in oil until it is browned through. Taste the filling and add more seasoning if necessary.







Filling the Potstickers



Hold a potsticker wrapper on the palm of your non-dominant hand. Take one of your circular potsticker wrappings and place it on the palm of the hand you use least.



Place the filling in the potsticker wrapper. Take approximately 1/2–1 tablespoon (7–15 mL) of filling using a spoon or chopsticks and place in the center of the potsticker wrapper. If the dough is thin or the circles of dough are small, use less filling.



Fold the wrapper loosely around the filling. Fold the potsticker in half to make a half-moon shape, but do not press the edges completely together. Only press the center of the edges together, so the corners of the dumpling are still unattached.

Note: If you are using storebought dumpling wrappers, use wet fingers to dampen the edges until they are soft enough to press together.



Fold a piece of dough at one corner. Grasp one layer of dough at the corner with your index finger and thumb, then fold it toward the center of the potsticker edge, where the two sides of the circle are pressed together.[10] The soft dough should stretch into a classic potsticker pleat or wrinkle. Press the two layers of dough together at the fold to keep it in place.



Repeat until there are three or four folds on each side. Using the same technique, grasp one layer of dough at the corner and fold it over toward the center edge. Press together with the opposite layer of the potsticker. Repeat this until there are three or four folds on each potsticker, and the potsticker is completely closed.







Frying the Potstickers



Heat a pan of oil. Add cooking oil to a wok, flat skillet, or frying pan, just enough to cover the bottom of the pan in a thin layer. Heat over medium heat until the oil begins to shimmer, or when a small piece of vegetable or filling sizzles when placed in the oil.

Use a vegetable oil with a high smoking point, such as canola oil or peanut oil.



Add the potstickers to the hot oil. Carefully drop the potstickers into the pan from a short distance above the oil. Arrange them with a heat-safe utensil so the dumplings are close together but do not touch each other.[11]

You will likely need to cook your potstickers in several batches. Do not pile potstickers on top of each other in the pan, or they may not cook properly.



Reduce heat and cover the pan. Cover the pan, reduce to low heat, and fry for a few minutes until the bottom of the potstickers are crisp and golden-brown. Depending on the temperature of the pan, this could take anywhere from two to seven minutes.[12][13] You may lift the lid to check on the potstickers' progress.

Remove from heat immediately if you smell burning. Use a heat-safe utensil to unstick the potstickers from the pan, and continue after one or two minutes.



Add a small amount of water to the pan. Once one side of the potstickers are brown, lift the lid and pour 1–3 tablespoons (15–45 mL) water onto the pan, just enough to cover the base of the pan with a shallow layer.

Pour the water while rapidly moving in a circular motion around the edge of the pan. This distributes the water evenly and prevents one part of the pan from cooling down too quickly. This also reduces splatter from hot oil and water coming into contact.



Cover and cook for a few minutes more. Cover the pan again and cook on moderate or low heat for 4-5 minutes. Add more water if it boils away before the potstickers are done cooking. Note that you do not need to flip the potstickers at any point in this process; it is intentional that they are only crisp on one side.

Remove a potsticker and cut it open to check that it is done. The filling inside should be browned and fully cooked.



Serve immediately with dipping sauce. Remove the potstickers from the pan and cook additional batches if necessary. Once all the potstickers are cooked, serve them with a sauce of your choice:

Any dark vinegar can be used alone or mixed with an equal amount of soy sauce and a dash of sesame oil.

Mix vinegar with sherry or dry wine and sweet soy sauce for a sweeter dipping sauce.

Black pepper and sliced ginger add a sophisticated flavor, and can be provided with or without a dipping sauce.



Dipping Sauce.

2 tbsp (30 mL) dark vinegar (especially Qing Kiang)..

2 tbsp (30 mL) soy sauce.

1 tsp (5 mL) sesame oil.

Ground white pepper to taste.







Tips.

If you do not wish to fry your dumplings into potstickers, cook them in boiling water for 4–6 minutes instead. This method is also traditional in many areas where potstickers are eaten.

Based on preferences, filling can vary--in components and ratio--from pure meat (pork, shrimp, chicken, etc), to pure vegetables (bamboo, shiitake, cabbage, bok choy, etc), to a mixture of meat and vegetables.

The measurements for the dipping sauce can vary depending on how much sauce you want, as well as how salty or sour you would prefer the sauce to be. Feel free to experiment!



Things You'll Need.

Large bowl.

Mixing utensil.

Cling wrap.

Wok, frying pan, or flat skillet.

Lid that fits over the pan.

November 14, 2019

8 Ways to Cook Cheap Steak.

8 Ways to Cook Cheap Steak.

If we had it our way, we’d be eating porterhouse and ribeye for dinner every night of the week. Then again, if we had it our way, pay day would be every day and bourbon—all of the bourbon everywhere—would be free. Unfortunately, we hardly ever get to have it our way. We pay for our bourbon, we wait patiently for Friday, and when our wallets wince at ribeye, we settle for some of the “lesser” cuts of beef: Flank, brisket, London broil, hanger, chuck eye, etc. But there’s always a way to eat it without breaking your bank or some teeth in the process.

London Broil (Top Round) with Herb Butter.
Top round, also popularly called London Broil, is one of the cheapest cuts of steak money can buy, but it’s one of our favorites because of its availability and because it’s so damn easy to prepare if you know what you’re doing. This recipe calls for a skillet, but would do just fine on a conventional grill, too. The steak gets a simple marinade of soy sauce, Worcestershire, lemon juice, olive oil, beef bouillon, salt, and pepper, and the herb butter really sets it off with chives, parsley, tarragon, and lemon juice (we like to throw in some fresh garlic, too).
When it comes to cheaper cuts, preparation and marinating is important as cooking. Do not forget to add the lemon juice and soy sauce to the marinade, make sure you’re marinating it for long as possible (up to one day), and make sure you’re cutting against the grain so it stays tender.

Slow Cooked Wine Braised Beef Brisket.
Another extraordinarily inexpensive cut, brisket is cut from the breast and lower chest of the cow. Because it is such a dense muscle that works hard, it is chock full of connective tissue and must be cooked perfectly for it to be worthwhile. That’s exactly why the low-and-slow technique of a slow cooker suits it so well.
This particular recipe calls for tomato paste, onions, carrots, Worcestershire, garlic, and a little liquid smoke and chili powder to keep things flavorful. But most importantly, it calls for red wine. The alcohol in the red wine helps soften all that connective tissue, and the slow cooking process over the span of 10-12 hours leaves this dish incredibly tender and juicy, as well as exceptionally flavorful.

Texas-Style Smoked Brisket.
We’re giving brisket two spots on the list not because it’s a great of a cut, but because we’d be remiss not to include a smoked brisket recipe here. Another low and slow process of cooking—but one that yields an entirely different kind of meal—this Texas-style barbecue recipe is superb. It’ll take you a little longer to set up, and you may need to get creative if you don’t have a dedicated smoker, but in the end, it’s totally worth it. The best part is prepping the meat takes almost nothing, save for a little salt and pepper. Why? Because like most smoked barbecue, your brisket will pick up the majority of its flavor from the hickory/oak/apple wood chunks you’ll be using. Trust us when we tell you that if done properly, this is probably some of the best meat you’ll ever have in your life, let alone best brisket.

No-Nonsense Chuck Eye Steak.
Chuck steak covers a lot of area on a cow, and you’ll find everything from shoulder meat right on through to the ribs. The “chuck eye” cut isn’t a very common cut, but when you can find it, it’s an incredible piece of meat that comes at a low cost. While ribeye is cut from ribs 6-12 on a cow, the chuck eye steak is cut from the fifth. It’s a little smaller and admittedly not as tender or flavorful as the rib eye, but it’s called “The Poor Man’s Rib Eye” for a reason. For a fraction of what you’d get a normal rib eye, you can have a wonderfully tender everyday steak to rival it.
Like other steaks, we prefer this in red-hot cast-iron skillet, liberally seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, and rubbed down with olive oil. We also advocate some healthy butter basting, with some thyme, rosemary, and a clove or two of garlic for good measure.

Pan Seared Flat Iron (Top Blade) Steak With Peppercorns and Blue Cheese Butter.
Of all the steaks on this list, the flat iron probably has the most interesting story. It was developed by a team of researchers at the University of Nebraska and University of Florida who were tasked with figuring out what to do with an otherwise unusable cut of beef from the cow shoulder. The cut showed good marbling and proved tender, but was marred by a massive piece of tough connective tissue that ran directly through the middle of the cut. The research team found a way to cut the tissue out, and so was born the Flat Iron (also known as the Top Blade).
It looks a lot like top round and can be prepared and cooked as such, but this recipe for peppercorn-crusted flat iron steak slathered in blue cheese butter is absolutely delicious. This cut of steak is incredibly tender, and cooked medium rare, delivers some of the most enjoyable steak experiences you’ll ever have—on a budget or not.

Classic Braised Beef Short Rib.
Beef short rib can come in a couple different cuts; smaller cubes, longer strips, bone-in, and boneless. What we love most about this inexpensive cut is that for all intents and purposes, it doesn’t matter how you buy it because no matter what you do with it, it’s sure to be delicious. While you can definitely season and grill beef short ribs like any other cut of beef, we’re big fans of braised short rib because it’s easy to do and yields melt-in-your-mouth tender steak.
If you’re looking for a more no-fuss recipe, there are plenty of slow cooker braised short rib recipes out there, but we love this recipe because try as we might, we can’t find a single thing wrong with it. Your base is a mix of onion, garlic, beef broth and a little Worcestershire sauce, and even though it takes about 3 hours to cook, it’ll quickly make its way to the top of your favorite steak dishes list.

Grilled Mojo-Marinated Skirt Steak.
Another very cheap cut of steak, most people complain that skirt steak is just too tough for anything other than use in a fajita or some kind of steak taco. And hey, we love steak tacos as much as the next hombres, but this is still incorrect. When it comes to skirt steak, it’s really all about how you marinade the cut, how you cook the cut, and how you slice the cut.
This recipe calls for a mix of homemade mojo with olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, chopped cilantro, and a mix of both lime and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Keep in mind that citrus is super important, because it’ll soften up all that rough connective tissue. Let it marinate overnight, and grill it accordingly—high heat, flipping occasionally. The recipe also involves creating a pan sauce with the leftover marinade, which we aren’t opposed to.

Barbecued Tri-Tip.
Tri-tip is another particularly low cost cut of beef that we pick up any time we see it. The only issue is that it may be incredibly difficult to find for you non-West Coasters out there. But, if you can find it, this will quickly become your favorite cut because it’s very thick, very well-marbled, and offers up exactly the kind of flavor you think of when you dream about a fresh grilled steak. It’s cut from the bottom sirloin part of the cow, and is famous for being incredibly versatile and tender. In the Santa Maria valley of Southern California where this steak became famous, it is usually smoked with red oak, but this classic rub of salt, pepper, garlic, cumin, and a hint of coriander would also do well on the grill. All you need to do is liberally rub the seasoning over the steak, and cook it your preferred way.

Agustus 05, 2020

how to cook bulgur

How to Cook Bulgur.

Bulgur is a grain made from cracked wheat that’s popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s a great source of iron, vitamin B, manganese, and magnesium, and it’s also high in fiber. If you like your bulgur soft like rice, then boiling it is your best bet. However, if you prefer a chewier texture, such as for a salad or tabbouleh, then soaking it is the better option. Once your bulgur is cooked to perfection, add your desired seasonings. This versatile grain will take on any flavors you add to it.



Ingredients.

Boiling Bulgur : 1 1⁄3  c (320 mL) of water, 2/3 cup (180 g) of bulgur.

Soaking Bulgur : 1 cup (240 g) of bulgur, 2  c (470 mL) of boiling water.

Making Bulgur in a Slow-Cooker : Butter, oil, or non-stick cooking spray to grease slow-cooker.

1 cup (240 g) of bulgur, 2  c (470 mL) of water or milk.

Seasoning Bulgur.

2  tsp (9.9 mL) of oil or butter and 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) of kosher salt (for simple bulgur).

1 lemon, 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of olive oil, 1/4 cup (60 g) of chopped fresh mint, 1 cup (240 g) of chopped fresh parsley, 1 chopped tomato, and 1 chopped cucumber (for tabbouleh).

1 red bell pepper, 1/4 cup (60 g) of Kalamata olives, and 1/4 cup (60 g) of chopped sun-dried tomatoes (for Mediterranean bulgur).

1 chopped apple, 1/2 cup (120 g) of raisins, 1 tsp (5 g) of cinnamon, and 1/4 cup (60 g) of brown sugar (for breakfast bulgur).



Method 1 Boiling Bulgur.

1. Bring 1 1⁄3  c (320 mL) of water to boil in a sauce pan. You can use tap water or filtered water if you prefer. Measure out the water and add it to the pan. Then, turn the heat up to medium-high and bring the water to a boil.

Tip: For extra flavorful bulgur, use chicken, beef, or vegetable broth in place of water.

2. Stir in 2/3 cup (180 g) of bulgur and reduce the heat to medium-low. Use a wooden or metal spoon to stir the bulgur into the boiling water. Then, turn down the heat so that the water is just simmering instead of boiling.

You may want to stir the bulgur once every few minutes so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan or boil over.

3. Cover the pot and cook for 10-15 minutes. Place a tight-fitting lid on the pot and set a timer for 10 minutes. Check the bulgur to see if it has absorbed all of the water. If not, keep cooking the bulgur for up to 5 more minutes until all the water has been absorbed.

Pay attention to the bulgur while it cooks. If it starts boiling again, turn the heat down to low.

4. Let the bulgur sit for 10 minutes with the cover on before serving it. Once the water has been absorbed, turn off the heat. Leave the lid on the pot and set a timer for 10 minutes. The bulgur will be ready to eat after the time is up.

The bulgur will be very hot once it finishes cooking. If you want it chilled, place it into the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours or longer.

Bulgur will keep well in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.



Method 2 Soaking Bulgur.

1. Place 1 cup (240 g) of bulgur in a heat-proof bowl. Measure out the bulgur and add it to a glass, ceramic, or metal bowl. Some plastic containers are also heat-proof. Check to see if your container is microwave safe before using it to soak the bulgur with boiling water.

Don’t place the bulgur in anything that might melt, such as a plastic or Styrofoam.

2. Pour 2  c (470 mL) of boiling water over the bulgur. Bring 2  c (470 mL) of water to boil in a tea kettle, pot, or microwave-safe container, such as a glass measuring cup. Then, pour the water over the bulgur.

If needed, stir the bulgur and water together to ensure that the bulgur is fully covered in the bowl.

3. Cover the bowl and let the bulgur sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Place a plate or tea-towel over the bowl to cover it completely. Then, set a timer for 20 minutes. Once the time is up, check to see if the bulgur is at the desired consistency. If it’s still too chewy, let it sit for longer.

If all of the water has been absorbed before the bulgur is fully cooked, add another 1⁄4  c (59 mL) of boiling water and stir it into the bulgur. Then, cover the bulgur again and let it sit for 5 more minutes.

Tip: As long as the bowl that you placed the bulgur into is microwave-safe, you can also microwave the bulgur with an extra 1⁄4  c (59 mL) of water to finish cooking it if it’s still too chewy.

4. Drain off any excess water after the bulgur is cooked. When the bulgur reaches the desired consistency, pour it into a colander over a sink to drain off the excess water. If there’s no excess water left in the bowl, you can skip this.

Store your extra bulgur in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.



Method 3 Making Bulgur in a Slow-Cooker.

1. Grease the inside of the slow-cooker. Spread 2 to 3  tsp (9.9 to 14.8 mL) of butter or oil all over the inside of the slow-cooker with a basting brush or your fingertips, or spray it with non-stick cooking spray.

Opt for non-stick cooking spray if you’re trying to keep the fat and calories as low as possible.

2. Add 1 cup (240 g) of bulgur to the slow-cooker. Measure out the bulgur and pour it into the slow cooker. You can double or even triple the amount if desired. Just make sure to double or triple the liquid as well.

Tip: You can add bulgur to chilies, stews, and soups to make them heartier. Just make sure you balance the liquid in the recipe with the bulgur. Aim for a 2:1 ratio of water to bulgur if you want to absorb the liquid entirely, 3:1 if you want a thick stew, or 4:1 if you want a brothy soup.

3. Pour in 2  c (470 mL) of water or milk. Use water for lighter bulgur or add milk to give it a creamier texture. Measure out the water or milk an pour it over the bulgur.

You can also add extra ingredients to your slow cooker at this time if you want them cooked in with the bulgur.

4. Set the slow-cooker on low heat and cook for 6 to 8 hours. Place the lid on your slow cooker and turn the heat to low. Then, cook the bulgur for 6 to 8 hours or until the liquid is fully absorbed. Check it periodically to ensure that it does not get overcooked.

If you want the bulgur to cook faster, turn the heat up to high and cook it for 3 to 4 hours.

Add and extra 1⁄4 to 1⁄2  c (59 to 118 mL) of water to the slow cooker if the water gets low and the bulgur still isn’t cooked. You can always drain off the excess water if there’s too much.

If you have extra bulgur, store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 3 days.



Method 4 Seasoning Bulgur.

1. Add oil or butter and salt for a simple seasoning. If you want to enjoy the simple, nutty flavor of bulgur, keep the seasoning simple. Pour 2  tsp (9.9 mL) of oil over the bulgur, or mix in 2  tsp (9.9 mL) of butter while the bulgur is still warm so it will melt. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp (2.5 g) of salt over the bulgur and stir everything well.

Serve the bulgur as a side dish with chicken, fish, chili, or anything else you like.

2. Make tabbouleh with lemon, mint, parsley, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Pour the juice of 1 lemon and 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of olive oil over the bulgur and stir it together. Then, mix in 1/4 cup (60 g) of chopped fresh mint, 1 cup (240 g) of chopped fresh parsley, 1 chopped tomato, and 1 chopped cucumber in with the bulgur. Chill the tabbouleh for 2 hours or overnight.

Try serving the tabbouleh over lettuce with pita bread and hummus on the side for a complete meal.

3. Add peppers, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes for Mediterranean bulgur. Chop 1 red bell pepper, 1/4 cup (60 g) of Kalamata olives, and 1/4 cup (60 g) of chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir them in with cooked bulgur. Serve while the bulgur is still warm or chill the bulgur overnight for a Mediterranean style bulgur dish.

Try having this bulgur recipe with a simple salad or steamed veggies.

4. Stir in apples, raisins, cinnamon, and brown sugar for breakfast bulgur. Add 1 chopped apple, 1/2 cup (120 g) of raisins, 1 tsp (5 g) of cinnamon, and 1/4 cup (60 g) of brown sugar to the bulgur after the bulgur is cooked. Stir everything together and serve for breakfast.

Pair your bulgur with a cup of Greek yogurt and a glass of orange juice for a hearty breakfast.

Tip: Bulgur is versatile, so try swapping it in recipes that call for rice, couscous, millet, barley, or even pasta.



Question : Can I use bulgur wheat in a salad ?

Answer : Yes, bulgur wheat is a great salad addition. A good example is tabouli, a popular traditional Middle Eastern salad.

Question : Can I put raw bulgar in my soup while it's cooking?

Answer : You can do this but remember that it absorbs twice its volume in water. This means it will soak up the soup liquid and you'll need to replace that to ensure it remains a soup and doesn't turn into a stew. Try a little the first time you do this with your soup recipe, and gradually adjust it each time you make the soup until you get the amount just right. Or, use a recipe which gives exact amounts of bulgar wheat to add.

Question : What is bulgar wheat?

Answer : Bulgar or bulgur wheat is the wheat kernel with the bran portion removed. The kernel is steamed, dried and ground into different grades of coarseness to finish the product. The grain that results is golden-brown in color.

Februari 22, 2020