Lentils are naturally low in fat and high in dietary fiber, folate and magnesium, making them an excellent addition to your diet. These nutritious legumes also provide protein, iron, phosphorus and copper.

Deep-frying a pork shoulder in peanut oil locks in flavor and moisture, while providing a crisp exterior. Not only does peanut oil provide you with calcium, vitamin E, iron, potassium and magnesium, it has a high smoking point, keeping the oil from smoking and burning your food.

Golden syrup, a product manufactured in England, is a cane sugar syrup. Its nutritional profile is virtually identical to that of table sugar, or sucrose.

Pancetta, an air-cured pork belly, is the Italian equivalent of bacon. It comes from the same cut of pork but has a rich, salty flavor without the smokiness of bacon.

Chicken breasts are the leanest piece of chicken you can use. Choose boneless and skinless for the absolute healthiest choice. If you buy frozen breasts, defrost them in the microwave before coating and baking. To make chicken fingers, cut each breast lengthwise into thirds.

While eating any fruit generally qualifies as a nutrition win, grapefruit scores even higher because it has only about 6 grams of sugar per 100 gram serving. Compare that to dates (73 grams), bananas (20 grams), figs (19 grams) and pomegranates (17 grams).

Soaking kidney beans the night before you plan to make a pot of chili or minestrone is a common practice that ensures tasty, tender beans the next day. Don't worry, though, if you forget to soak the beans overnight. A quick soak in hot water the following day is just as effective.

Few varieties of seafood can rival shrimp as an ingredient in fast, convenient meals. High in protein and low in fat, shrimp lend themselves to almost any healthful preparation method, from steaming to grilling.

Sesame oil has many valuable uses, according to Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. For more than 5,000 years, Ayurveda has prescribed the use of sesame oil for everything from massage to enemas.

Mixing milk, cheddar cheese and butter with spaghetti gives you a homemade version of macaroni and cheese that is creamy, inexpensive and simple to prepare.

To hamburger lovers, sliders are like a little bit of heaven in your hand, soon to be paradise in your mouth. Perfect as a snack or a meal, they go with favorite side dishes, favorite hot and cold beverages -- and even with a glass of wine.

If your oven has a convection setting among its features and you aren’t using it, you are missing out on a major convenience. Convection ovens bake foods more quickly and evenly than conventional ovens, saving time and frustration.