Fruits & Vegetables: Nutrition, Culinary Uses & Preservation

Variety comparisons and diverse culinary forms, such as juices or dried extracts, determine the nutritional value and physiological impact of plant-based diets on systemic health.

Pickled Peppers, Pepperoncini

Are Pepperoncini Peppers Healthy?

Pepperoncini peppers offer vitamin C, vitamin A and a tart, tangy flavor. Fresh pepperoncini are hard to find, but be aware that the pickled type sold in jars can be very high in sodium.

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woman peeling potatoes in the kitchen

How to Cook Potatoes for Stew

Meat and potatoes is a traditional combination, and few dishes bring out the best in both ingredients like a good stew. Choosing the right potatoes for stew is the first step to success. Russet potatoes work well for thick, tomato-based stews.

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How to Cook Sliced Sweet Potatoes on Stove

The deep rust color and sweetly fluffy texture are too scrumptious to be served only during the holiday season. Sweet potatoes contain a large amount of starch, which must be broken down into sugar to bring out the fullness of this tuber’s distinctive flavor.

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grain red lentils

The Nutritional Value of Sprouted Lentils

Sprouting seeds and beans increases their vitamin levels, according to David B. Fankhauser, Ph.D. at the University of Cleveland Claremont College. Sprouted lentil beans contain vitamins A, B, C and E, all of which are important to your overall health.

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tomato sauce

Is There Any Way to Make Tomato Sauce Less Acidic?

Tomatoes are extremely high in ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant, but it also can make for unpleasantly acidic tomato sauce. Fixing acidic sauce is possible, but it takes a little bit of adjusting and experimenting.

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female hands chopping vegetables on a wooden board

How to Saute Onions in a Microwave

Sautéing raw onions brings out the natural sugars, rendering them tender and sweet, which is why they are referred to as “caramelized onions.” Technically, the word sauté means to cook something in oil over direct heat, but as technology changes, cooking terms evolve. "Sautéing"

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Crunchy Boiled Broccoli

How to Cook Broccoli on the Stove

Stove-top broccoli recipes offer a quick and simple way to add flavor, color and loads of nutrition to any meal. Broccoli is high in dietary fiber as well as vitamins A and C. Farm-fresh broccoli is better for you than frozen, according to Linda J.

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How to Season Butternut Squash

Butternut squash is a winter vegetable prized for its ease of preparation, rich nutty flavor and versatility, which allows you to season it in a great variety of ways.

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Sweet whole kernel corn background

How to Cook Fresh Frozen Corn

Fresh frozen corn adds color, texture and a natural sweetness to any meal. Most vegetables are frozen right after being harvested, as this is when their nutritional value is at its highest, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center.

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How to Fry Fresh Sweet Potatoes in a Deep Fryer

Sweet potato fries are a sweet and crispy occasional indulgence that anyone can enjoy without guilt. Yes, deep frying sweet potatoes adds calories and fat, but they are still high in vitamin A and cooking them yourself means you control what kind of oil is used and how much salt is added.

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How to Cook Onions & Peppers on the Grill

Grilling fresh vegetables brings out their natural colors and flavors without cooking them until they are limp. Peppers and onions are perfect candidates for grilling because they are firm, and can be cut and enjoyed in pieces large enough not to fall through the grates on your grilling rack.

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sauerkraut

How Do I Cook Packaged Sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut is a simple concoction of cabbage and salt that is allowed to ferment until it takes on a softly wilted texture and rich, briny taste. Sauerkraut contains iron and vitamin C, and one cup offers only 44 calories.

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How to Cook Red Kale

Kale has recently become the darling of health-minded foodies, and with good reason. The ruffled bundles of thick-textured leaves are high in calcium, vitamins A, C and K, lutein and xeaxanthin, making it an excellent source of support for your bones, skin and eyes.

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How Do I Moisten a Dried-Up Meatloaf?

Meatloaf gets a bad rap in American culture, but it wasn’t always that way. During the lean years of World War II, ground beef was relatively inexpensive and breadcrumbs and eggs stretched a little bit of meat along way. President Harry Truman famously called meatloaf and tomato sauce his favorite meal, "Cooking Light"

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