Sue Evans, Author at Taste Recipes https://www.tasteofhome.com Find Recipes, Appetizers, Desserts, Holiday Recipes & Healthy Cooking Tips Wed, 09 Oct 2024 19:38:00 +0000 en-US hourly 6 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/TOH_Pinterest_ProfilePhoto_RedBkg.png?resize=32,32 Sue Evans, Author at Taste Recipes https://www.tasteofhome.com 32 32 8 Healthy Ways to Add Nuts to Your Diet https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/healthy-ways-to-eat-nuts/ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/healthy-ways-to-eat-nuts/#respond Mon, 09 Apr 2018 19:41:22 +0000 http://www.tasteofhome.com/?p=412832 Keep your heart happy and strong with these healthy tips for your diet.

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I’m surely not the first to tell you—nuts are good for us. (Love ’em already? Try our nuttiest recipes ever!) Nuts provide plant-based protein, healthy unsaturated fats, Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, Vitamin E and fiber. According to the Mayo Clinic, nuts also help lower your LDL cholesterol (the “bad” one), and they can fight back against inflammation linked to heart disease. What’s more, they may reduce your chances of developing blood clots.

Which Nuts Are Best?

Almonds contain calcium and 37% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin E per one ounce (28g) serving. Pistachios are high in fiber, and eating 2-3 ounces per day may help boost your HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind!). Walnuts are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids. Some evidence suggests that cashews, pecans, macadamia nuts and Brazil nuts may help to reduce inflammation. Even peanuts, which are technically legumes rather than tree nuts, have some health benefits.

How to Add Them to Your Diet

Because nuts are high in calories and fats, you may want to limit your daily consumption to one ounce (28g) or so. Here are some fun ways to sneak them into your daily meal plan.

  1. Pack a scant handful along with an apple or other fruit for a no-fuss healthy afternoon snack at the office—or anywhere!
  2. Nuts can be easily reduced to a meal or powder that you can add to everything from shakes to smoothies, or as toppings on a salad or sandwich. Use a mortar and pestle or your food processor to make them the texture you prefer. You can store the processed nuts in the refrigerator to use throughout the week.
  3. Instead of adding croutons to your salad, get that satisfying crunch with nuts.
  4. Chopped pecans added to breakfast cereal rather than sugar will provide some sweetness along with their health benefits—and extra fiber! Wondering how to chop nuts for your favorite recipes? These methods walnut disappoint.
  5. Make a nut sandwich! Combine one ounce (2 tablespoons) of finely chopped walnuts, 20 chopped green olives, and a tablespoon of low-fat mayo or salad dressing to create a tasty 300-calorie spread to smooth over whole wheat bread.
  6. Nuts make a delicious topping for baked fish, especially salmon. (Not to mention the pretty presentation these dishes make. A feast for the eyes, too!)
  7. Add nuts to your side dishes. Think of combinations like brown rice and chopped pecans, green beans and almonds, pistachios with peas and carrots. Nuts are so versatile; you can have a lot of fun being creative with them!
  8. Stir-fries can really get some extra pizzaz and crunch by adding nuts. We all know about Thai cooking and peanuts. Why not experiment with a cashew chicken stir-fry, or toss some chopped pecans into your favorite spicy beef-and-pepper recipe?
It's important to indulge, too. Try these nutty recipes.
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What Are the Best Types of Fish for Frying? https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/best-fish-for-frying/ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/best-fish-for-frying/#respond Sat, 24 Feb 2018 02:54:31 +0000 http://www.tasteofhome.com/?p=410828 When it comes to battering up at home, do you know the best fish for frying? We've got tips on how to fry up cod, perch and more at home.

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While it’s always fun to head to your local hot spot for a fish fry, why not batter up and make it yourself? Before you dive in to the seafood section, let’s review what kinds of fish are best for frying (and which you can prepare in other tasty ways).

The Best Fish to Fry

Alaskan Cod

In American restaurants, Alaskan cod is often used for fish and chips because it takes perfectly to the breading and high frying temps. (See for yourself by trying out this delicious fish and fries recipe, starring cod.)

Cod can be quite large, so when purchasing it, do the fish freshness test, but also consider the size of the fillets. For the best frying, you’ll want to buy cuts that are less than 1.5 inches thick and will fit in your skillet or fryer without touching the sides or overlapping.

Tilapia or Catfish

If cod isn’t your style, try farm-raised tilapia or catfish. Both of these ready-to-fry fish are available at most markets and are very affordable. Try our favorite fried catfish recipe.

Tilapia is a mild-tasting versatile fish which allows you to play with various seasonings, toppings and batters. Try out this easy air-fryer tilapia for a good introduction. On the other hand, catfish has a stronger taste that’s mellowed by a cornmeal breading, like this pan-fried catfish recipe.

Both of these fish come in boneless, ready-to-fry fillets that will fit perfectly in most pans.

Local Panfish

Don’t forget about exploring local fish options. Depending on where you live, you’ll find panfish like walleye, perch, whitefish, bluegill and/or crappie in your grocery store—all great for frying.

When purchasing, check to be sure that the fillets are boneless; frying is a quick process and doesn’t allow enough time for bones to be broken down.

Avoid Frying These Fish

If you’re angling to fry fish, we recommend avoiding varieties with a steak-like texture, including these:

  • Tuna
  • Swordfish
  • Salmon

Because of the density and thickness of these types of fish, when breaded and deep-fried they tend not to cook in the center. Plus, the high heat can cause them to dry out.

Pan Frying vs. Deep Frying

Pan frying and deep frying can produce equally delicious results, but you may find that using a deep fryer is easier if your fish is in small pieces. You can use a spider to scoop up the fish when it’s done!

If your deep fryer doesn’t have temperature control or if you are frying in a skillet, use a kitchen thermometer to ensure your temperature remains at 375ºF.

If you’re opting to pan fry, I find that using cast-iron is the best choice. It is difficult to keep other materials hot enough without the risk of discoloring the metal or warping. Plus, if you properly clean cast iron, it’ll last a lifetime!

Enjoy your home-crafted fish fry, and don’t forget the traditional and delicious sides.

Try These Classic Fish Fry Recipes
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7 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Seafood https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/cooking-fish-properly/ https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/cooking-fish-properly/#respond Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:32:43 +0000 http://www.tasteofhome.com/?p=404616 We've all ruined a perfectly good piece of fish at one time or another. These cooking tips for fish let you cook it perfectly every single time.

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Fish is delicious, usually easy to find at your local grocery store, and healthy to boot. Whether you’re new to the wonderful world of cooking seafood at home, or an old hand in the galley, we’ve all had a fish flub or two. It’s especially disappointing when you’ve spent a lot to purchase a pricy piece of Alaskan halibut or a beautiful, fresh tuna steak, and had it turn out poorly. We can help you overcome your cooking mistakes for good!

1. The fish is stinky.

Your fish is old, and no amount of marinade or sauce will cover that up. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask your fishmonger how long it’s been in the fish case, or if you can take a sniff. It may be better to buy frozen fish where you live. If you live in an area where frozen fish is better than fresh (it’s often frozen while it’s still on the boat!), be sure to thaw it safely (in the refrigerator) before cooking.

2. It’s falling apart.

Put down the spatula! Over-handling is not productive and can cause your fish to break and fall apart. Flip only once. Your breading will thank you and so will your family.

3. It turns out mushy.

There are three reasons your fish may wind up with a less than appetizing texture. In fact, these faux pas are so common, many people are convinced that fish just is mushy. Nope. Here’s how to fix mushy fish.

  • Pat your fish dry before cooking. Excess moisture will cause the fish to steam rather than sear. Steaming causes that squishiness.
  • Cook it at a higher temp. Stainless steel or cast iron cookware is best for cooking fish on the stovetop. Be patient and let the cooking oil heat—the higher the initial temp, the better the results. When the oil begins to shimmer, it’s ready.
  • Use the right type of fish for the dish. Different fish have different textures, from delicate to firm. When making a seafood chowder, you’ll want a sturdy fish like cod. Tilapia will just turn to mush if simmered in a soup. Tilapia, on the other hand, takes well to searing in skillet, while cod is happy in both the oven and in a chowder.

4. It’s overcooked.

If your fish could be mistaken for jerky, you’re not along. Over-cooking is one of the leading reasons why fish turns out poorly. Using a meat thermometer can help. Remove fish from heat when it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F in the thickest part of the meat. Then let it rest until it reaches 145°F, which is the USDA’s recommended minimum internal temperature.

5. The skin is floppy.

You’ve had gorgeous skin-on salmon fillets at restaurants, where the skin is crispy and delicious. But at home, not so much. So what gives? You probably started it on the wrong side. Placing your skin-on fillet in the heated pan skin side up. When you flip it over, the skin will get a nice, crisp sear (and protect the fish from overcooking). Serve it skin-side down.

If you don’t like to eat your fish with skin-on, here’s how to remove the skin from salmon.

6. It’s bone dry on the outside, raw in the center.

Ugh, right? Whether it’s fish or meat, let it stand at room temperature for up to half an hour before cooking to equalize the temperature between inside and out. Here again your meat thermometer can be helpful.

7. Your grilled fish tastes like, well, grill. 

Your expensive king salmon fillet should taste like salmon, not charcoal. When grilling, make sure your grill is super clean! Fish easily picks up odors and flavors that can ruin it. You may also want to consider cooking your grilled fish on a piece of foil that you have perforated several times with a fork. Lightly coat it with cooking oil and fasten to clean, cold grill before placing over your heat source.

Follow these cooking techniques for fish and your seafood dinners will never be the same.

Start with these quick and easy fish recipes.
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