Mastering main dishes requires techniques for moisture retention, safe reheating of seafood, and adapting recipes for Keto or low-sodium dietary needs.
Brining a chicken imparts a rich, salty flavor to the meat that also helps to keep it moist and tender throughout the cooking process, no matter what your preferred cooking method is. You can brine a whole chicken or simply pieces of chicken -- the method is the same.
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Most people making traditional fried chicken leave the skin on the bird. Not only does it help the breading stick to the meat, but the skin holds a lot of flavor. Heart-healthy cooks, however, are moving toward skinless chicken as a way of cutting down on fat and calories.
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Yellowtail is often mistaken for a type of tuna. This delicate fish is a member of the jack family, which includes the pompano and amberjack fish. Yellowtail fish has a mild, sweet flavor with a firm texture. The majority of yellowtail fish are raised on fish farms in Japan and imported as frozen fillets.
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The clam juice available in stores is the liquid that results from straining clams. It generally includes added salt. Dishes such as clam chowder and seafood soups often include clam juice. Using a lower-sodium alternative for clam juice reduces the sodium in the recipe.
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Roasting chicken is a healthy cooking method, allowing much of the fat to drain off, but the white meat in particular can dry out in the oven if you aren't careful. There's more than one way to keep chicken moist while it's cooking, so pick the method that works best for you.
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With their slightly salty and meaty flavor, mussels are a relatively low-fat source of protein, iron and vitamin B12. Their flavor works with a variety of other ingredients, ranging from coconut milk to tomatoes. They cook quickly, typically in less than 10 minutes.
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Chicken is a healthy source of protein, making it a good addition to a well-balanced menu plan. The legs and thighs of a chicken are less expensive than breasts and often cook more quickly. Grilling these cuts reduces the need for cooking fats, keeping fat and calorie intake low.
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Louisiana is known as one of America's great culinary capitals, and crawfish are among the most celebrated of Louisiana's cuisine. From December until June -- and especially during the spring when they're most plentiful -- crawfish are a mealtime staple.
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The name Delmonico originally applied to steaks served at New York City’s Delmonico’s Restaurant in the 1800s. Today, you’ll see the name used to label chuck, sirloin and rib cuts, depending on which part of the country you are in. There is no definitive agreement as to what constitutes a Delmonico steak.
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An inside round, also called a top round, is an affordable cut of beef with plenty of juiciness and flavor. With just 153 calories and 4.2 grams of fat in a 3-ounce serving, this type of meat is among the leaner cuts, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of red meat without the excess.
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Certain cuts of beef are tougher than others because of the muscle and connective tissue. High temperature and overcooking can cause any cut of beef to become tough because heat can cause the muscle fibers to contract. When the meat becomes too tough, you need to know how to tenderize cooked beef.
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The brisket is one of the most challenging pieces of beef to cook well. A thick slab of muscle from the steer's chest, it's filled with dense muscle fibers and tough connective tissue. Cooked by most methods, it would be as tough as an old shoe.
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When roasting vegetables in the oven or in a frying pan, it is customary to use at least a small amount of cooking oil. Oils help to keep vegetables from sticking to the cooking surface. However, many oils also contain unhealthy fats. For a healthier alternative, try roasting vegetables without using oil.
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Unlike other types of frozen meat, fish steaks can be removed from the freezer and steamed without being thawed first. Fish steaks respond well to steaming because the moist-heat cooking method helps keep the steaks moist.
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The difference between good beef and great beef is sometimes due to the qualities of the animal itself. More often, however, the difference is because of how that beef is handled after slaughter. Most modern beef is wet-aged, an economical and cost-effective process.
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Lamb is a leaner red meat than beef and lets you add variety to traditional chop recipes. Depending on the age and type of your lamb, it can present a more gamey taste and aroma than the beef that you're used to.
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Boneless chicken makes for faster meal preparation with its shorter cooking time, while bone-in chicken is easier to bake to juicy perfection without losing valuable moisture.
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When they're properly made, meatballs are moist, tender and juicy. Unfortunately, even the best of cooks occasionally produce a batch that fall well short of that ideal. If you're in the unfortunate position of making up a batch of meatballs only to find them hard and dry, take heart.
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Pressure cookers can be used to prepare a variety of grains, meats and vegetables quickly, without frying or adding an excessive amount of fat. Salmon fillets can be cooked in a pressure cooker in a matter of minutes for a hassle-free and healthy meal.
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A well-done steak has an internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the University of Illinois Extension. Once you allow the steak to rest, it will have no redness inside and the meat juices will be clear.
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