Aileen Wilson gave a lesson Monday on healthy cooking styles when she hosted the Happy Hearts FCE meeting.
Wilson suggested ways to avoid getting in a cooking rut and preparing food in the same way. Sauteeing with water or serving boiled salad are examples.
The food you eat should be delicious and satisfying, she said. Use fresh, high-quality ingredients and choose a cooking style that enhances the foods flavor and appearance.
Cooking is an art form, Wilson said.
Consider the color, texture and energy a food contributes to a dish. Plan a variety to your menus to ensure you consume a broad range of nutrients, achieve a balanced diet and enhance your enjoyment of your meal.
She suggested alternative cooking methods, such as steaming, sauteeing, pressure cooking and slow stewing, boiling or blanching. Every meal should include cooked whole grains and vegetables.
The way foods are cooked may dramatically alter their taste, nutritional value and your enjoyment.
Terri Kretzmeier will host the Nov. 19 meeting at Iolas Riverside Park. Shell also provide the lesson.
