Every time you cook, you automatically reach for that can of veggies, fruits or preserved meat for your dish. Whether it is for yourself and your family, or your guests, your cooking almost always includes processed ingredients straight from the freezer or sealed packet. The fault of using processed or frozen ingredients lies not in the cooking style, but in the lifestyle. We simply do not have the time to search for and buy fresh ingredients every day.
In that process, we are jeopardizing our health and wealth. If you are a fan of canned food or eating out of the box, here are a few reasons that will make you choose fresh ingredients over processed ones.
Fresh ingredients are always better for preparing healthy food, when compared to processed ingredients. Fresh ingredients are basically those that haven’t been exposed to chemicals or processed in any way to increase their shelf life. They have to be consumed on the same day or within a day or two. Fresh ingredients, including fresh vegetables, meat, spices like basil, cilantro, tomatoes, garlic also retain their nutritious value when you cook them right. Unlike processed foods, they are pure and not adulterated in any way, by exposure to preservatives and other such chemicals.
Food cooked with fresh ingredients is healthier than food cooked with processed ingredients or those stored using preservatives.
When it comes to taste, nothing can beat fresh ingredients. The flavor in the food you cook is best when you use fresh ingredients – whether it is succulent meat, fresh produce, basil that is freshly grown in your own yard, ripe tomatoes from the plant you grew in your window – all of them taste a lot better fresh than preserved. Try cooking using fresh ingredients once and you will agree that food tastes better with fresh ingredients.
Save money with fresh produce
Agreed, that not all fresh veggies and fruits are cheaper than their processed counterparts. That said, eating only canned foods can prove to be expensive in the long run, when the affect of your food choices finally shows up on your health. Also, fresh ingredients need not always be expensive as you think. Where you buy, how much you buy and when you buy the ingredients all make a difference in how much you pay for it. Fresh ingredients get even cheaper if you have the space to grow your favorite veggies and fruits in your own backyard.
Cooking from scratch is the single most important thing we could do as a family to improve our health and general well being.
So, are you ready to join the fresh revolution?
Keeping it fresh
Some types of fruit has an ethylene compounds evaporate when stored, will consequently speed up the maturation process (even decay) other foods, such as vegetables. If you want to store fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator, put in the rack. Additional info, tomatoes, bananas, and onions does not need to be stored in the refrigerator. Remember also, apples, bananas, and potatoes contain ethylene is very high. Save Apple warn other fruit. Keep potatoes in the kitchen cabinets, make sure there are no other bulbs stored nearby. With such materials will remain awake the freshness.
Try eating real, organic, local produce from your area.
Store fresh herbs such as chives, celery, thyme, Lemon grass, mint leaves in a glass that's already been given a little bit of water. Save like fresh flowers and reuse when needed. This way can make the Spice stays fresh for one to two days. Keep in mind that fresh herbs can be stored this way is a spice that has a stem or root. If you want to store the herbs to be used again, cut the roots and the leaves wither and separate yellowing and enter in the plastic clip. Store in the refrigerator.
Text by Dining Dubai Creek and Simple Food Recipes.