Fried chicken. Biscuits and gravy. Barbecued everything. Some foods from the American South have migrated throughout the nation. Even if you want to eat healthy, using deep south seasoning and recipes can bring that famous southern touch to your table.
We all know that deep frying is not considered a healthy way to cook. This is mainly because high heat alters vegetable fats, creating unhealthy 'trans fats' which can contribute to heart disease. In the old days, people used animal fats - pork lard, goose grease, or bear fat (said to make the best doughnuts) - which stood up better to the heat of frying. Today, however, people tend to avoid such saturated fats.
But can fried chicken taste food when it's done in the oven? Well, some say it can. The secret may be to brown the chicken first in butter or a high smoke oil like coconut and finish in the oven. In a case like this, the right seasoning can make the final product taste so good that your family or guests won't miss the extra crispiness that comes with deep frying.
One of the main spices used extensively in the South is salt. We know now that too much salt can be bad for us, raising blood pressure and contributing to dehydration, which is a common problem. However, by using sea salt, cooks can make their dishes a little healthier. Spices like cayenne pepper, black pepper, thyme, garlic, and onion - all traditional in southern cooking - boost flavor and cut down on the need for salt.
Cayenne pepper, one of the most widely used spices in this kind oi cuisine, is actually vary healthy. In fact, this spice can be purchased in capsules as a dietary supplement. It is said to increase circulation, help other nutrients in the body work better, and promote normal blood clotting. It contains more vitamin C than oranges.
Those who can't eat spicy food may have to stay away from some cuisine, like Cajun and Creole. There are lots of southern dishes that don't depend on hot spices. Collard greens are an example of a non-spicy side dish that Southern cooks made famous. If you don't want the 'streak of fat, streak of lean' that those cooks used, you can buy a seasoning alternative that gives the same flavor without the added fat. Lots of 'comfort food' is bland, depending on onion or garlic for flavor rather than the peppers.
Other vegetables were often cooked for a long time. This can seem strange to those who are used to lightly steamed beans and tossed salads. However, these healthy veggies taste great with southern stand-bys like sweet potatoes, Cole slaw, and cucumber pickles. Actually, baked sweet potatoes and low-sodium pickles are considered true health foods.
Coastal regions emphasize seafood, while riverside communities celebrate catfish. Gumbo might be an acquired taste, but shrimp are eaten across the nation. Molasses cookies, corn bread, and pan gravy are other comfort foods that everyone enjoys. Of course, there is also peanut butter. Southern specialties will continue to grace tables across the country.
We all know that deep frying is not considered a healthy way to cook. This is mainly because high heat alters vegetable fats, creating unhealthy 'trans fats' which can contribute to heart disease. In the old days, people used animal fats - pork lard, goose grease, or bear fat (said to make the best doughnuts) - which stood up better to the heat of frying. Today, however, people tend to avoid such saturated fats.
But can fried chicken taste food when it's done in the oven? Well, some say it can. The secret may be to brown the chicken first in butter or a high smoke oil like coconut and finish in the oven. In a case like this, the right seasoning can make the final product taste so good that your family or guests won't miss the extra crispiness that comes with deep frying.
One of the main spices used extensively in the South is salt. We know now that too much salt can be bad for us, raising blood pressure and contributing to dehydration, which is a common problem. However, by using sea salt, cooks can make their dishes a little healthier. Spices like cayenne pepper, black pepper, thyme, garlic, and onion - all traditional in southern cooking - boost flavor and cut down on the need for salt.
Cayenne pepper, one of the most widely used spices in this kind oi cuisine, is actually vary healthy. In fact, this spice can be purchased in capsules as a dietary supplement. It is said to increase circulation, help other nutrients in the body work better, and promote normal blood clotting. It contains more vitamin C than oranges.
Those who can't eat spicy food may have to stay away from some cuisine, like Cajun and Creole. There are lots of southern dishes that don't depend on hot spices. Collard greens are an example of a non-spicy side dish that Southern cooks made famous. If you don't want the 'streak of fat, streak of lean' that those cooks used, you can buy a seasoning alternative that gives the same flavor without the added fat. Lots of 'comfort food' is bland, depending on onion or garlic for flavor rather than the peppers.
Other vegetables were often cooked for a long time. This can seem strange to those who are used to lightly steamed beans and tossed salads. However, these healthy veggies taste great with southern stand-bys like sweet potatoes, Cole slaw, and cucumber pickles. Actually, baked sweet potatoes and low-sodium pickles are considered true health foods.
Coastal regions emphasize seafood, while riverside communities celebrate catfish. Gumbo might be an acquired taste, but shrimp are eaten across the nation. Molasses cookies, corn bread, and pan gravy are other comfort foods that everyone enjoys. Of course, there is also peanut butter. Southern specialties will continue to grace tables across the country.
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