5 Healthy Ways to Enhance the Flavor of Your Food by Sierra Powell

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Whether you’re trying to shrink your waistline or keep a close watch on your blood pressure, your diet is going to be one of the main factors to consider. Before you begin to pout about the bland flavors of some of the healthier options, know that you can always get creative about enhancing the flavor of your food. With the following tips, you can look forward to cooking, creating, and consuming healthy tasty food from your kitchen.

1. Add Spiciness

Cayenne pepper contains a powerful agent called capsaicin. Not only is it the reason why pepper is so hot, but it contains a lot of health benefits. While you don’t want to add cayenne pepper in excess, find ways to add heat or spicy flavors to your plate. Instead of spreading mayonnaise on your sandwich, prepare a chipotle aioli to use in its place. Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce are easy to find and use. You’ll get tons of flavor, additional spice, and the benefits of peppers in one sitting. Jalapeno peppers, crushed red pepper flakes, and black peppercorns are great spicy staples to keep in your kitchen as you work to add more spice. Just be sure to learn how to properly deseed hot peppers if you want to closely monitor the level of heat your tastebuds experience.

2. Use a Salt Alternative

It doesn’t take much to consume an excessive amount of salt. This is especially true if you’re purchasing pre-packaged meals and processed foods. If your diet is high in sodium, this can cause issues with your blood pressure, cholesterol, and more. Instead of constantly adding salt to your meals, train your taste buds by decreasing the amount of salt you use. Additionally, it’s very wise to incorporate delicious salt alternatives. By using salt alternatives, you’ll be able to enjoy the tasty flavor you love without the harmful side effects.

3. Incorporate Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs can do wonders for a stew or a great sandwich. They can even elevate a simple slice of pizza. Fresh herbs like sage, cilantro, and mint can work in a variety of ways. Depending on how much you use, you can properly freeze the leftovers for another time. If you start a small garden, you’ll be able to enjoy freshly-picked mint to add to your watermelon feta salad or a hot cup of tea. When you merge the mix of fresh herbs with other fresh ingredients, you won’t need or miss heavy doses of salt or sugar.

4. Try Infused Oils and Honey

It’s very simple to infuse oils and honey to make the flavors to your liking. If you love garlic, create a garlic-infused extra virgin olive oil. Purchase fresh lavender or rosebuds, and add them to a jar of fresh honey. Sunlight can be one of the most gentle ways to infuse ingredients. Place the finished product in a jar, and place it in a sunlit area for two weeks. Once this slow infusion process is complete, you can drizzle your oils and honey mixtures on anything your heart desires like salads, desserts, and more.

5. Increase the Acidity

Some of the best forms of acid are citrus fruits and different types of vinegar. Always keep bottles of apple cider vinegar and balsamic vinegar on hand. It’s also great to keep lemons and limes within arm’s reach in the kitchen. Citrus fruits can open up the flavors of cooked meats, baked treats, and more. Acids also make an excellent base for vinaigrettes and salad dressings. Because of the natural acidity in the mix, you won’t need as much salt to provide flavor.

When you’re looking to become a better cook, it’s always fun to experiment and try new things. However, if you want your recipes to taste really good, it’s best to find simple recipes that you can follow. Execute the directions as listed to get the right results and boost your confidence in the kitchen. Once you practice more and get a better grasp on how to mix flavors, herbs, and acids, it’ll be much easier to „wing it“ as you prepare your food. Start with a homemade vinaigrette that only requires adding certain ingredients to a bowl to mix. Before long, you’ll become excited about the different ways you can create delicious yet healthy meals that are loaded with flavor and beneficial nutrients.