Cooking at home is a great way to ensure a healthy meal; so we asked nutritionist Julie Lerner Grayson for the dish on the best preparation methods.
Steaming veggies retains flavor, color and nutrients. Boil 2 inches of water in a pot, put veggies in a steaming basket and cover. Once cooked, splash with cool water to stop the cooking process.
Blanching, or quick boiling, breaks down vegetables’ fiber, which helps digestion. Boil water, add a pinch of salt, drop in vegetables and lower heat, cooking until bright. Rinse in cool water.
Stir-Frying uses a little healthy fat to cook foods quickly (canola oil works well). Brush the wok or pan with oil, heat, add food and stir constantly.
Sautéing requires oil that doesn’t burn easily (try grapeseed, canola, avocado or coconut). Try sautéing in broth to reduce calories. Add food to a very hot pan (food should be totally dry), shaking occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Poaching fish is easy and low-cal. Bring a broth to a simmer and add your fillet (fish should be fully submerged); cover and cook for about 5 minutes.
