Nutri-Jyoti News article archive
July 2007 - simplifying summer ...

It's the summer and no-one wants to be stuck in the kitchen for hours preparing the next meal but we still want to eat balanced meals to keep ourselves feeling fit. Here are seven ways to simplify your summer food prep but not comprise on taste and health.

1. Be prepared! - when you go shopping stock up on items like grains, cereals, lentils and pulses, spices, oils, unsalted nuts and seeds, dried fruits, a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Practically all of these items have a long shelf life and are essential for tasty and healthy cooking.
   Tip: Always buy good quality ingredients - organic where possible - and you'll easily prepare quick, tasty and balanced meals.
2. Make the right choice of cereals and grains : go for ones like basmati rice, quinoa, millet and coucous. They are quick to prepare and light and easy to digest AND there's little washing up. :)
3. Practise good food storage - after checking for damage or mould, take loose vegetables out of their packaging and put them in dark, well-aired cupboards or baskets.
   Tip: Store any cut vegetables in airtight containers.
4. Use herbs for flavour - parsley, basil and mint are good ones to have on standby
   Tip: to keep them fresh if you buy a big bunch, stand them in a container with water and dampen a tea-towel and place it over them
5. Steam and save time ! If you don't have a simple steaming basket, invest in one and start steaming your vegetables.The time you save and how you feel will be worth the minimal initial outlay.
   Tip: simple salad dressing sauces or just some organic cold pressed olive oil, a few drops of lemon juice and black pepper go really well on steamed vegetables and remember to sprinkle some herbs on before serving the dish!
6. Invest in decent cooking utensils (especially as the sales are on at the moment!)- . Stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic and copper cookware is the best and lasts a long time. It makes it easy to cook healthy meals.
7. Get a rice cooker - this has been a life saver for me on many an occasion when I'm busy working on a project or have a lot of appointments. It produces perfect rice but also you can prepare a number of quick easy rice and vegetable dishes in it AND it gets on with the job. In the words of one of my most recent and inspiring teachers "You just set it and forget it" ... until you want to eat of course!

Copyright © 2007 Janet Gomez All rights reserved

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