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Scrumptious Gourmet Food for the Health Conscious

Culinary Tips from Joan Miller, Professional Cook and Food Expert

Let's jazz up food and add pizzazz to your meals! By enhancing cooking methods and adding fresh herbs, you will dramatically improve the flavor and healthful quality of food. It is easy to create healthy gourmet fare with endless diversity of herbs and spices, fresh-squeezed juices, garlic, shallots, ginger, and more. Start cooking with impeccably fresh ingredients.

Change the way you cook to a more healthful technique by grilling, broiling, roasting, and sauteing meats. Season meat or fish before cooking with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt (if your doctor allows it). Drizzle broiled or grilled fish with a fresh squeeze of lemon or lime juice, and sprinkle with fresh herbs. Another method is to saute, cooking over high heat in a small amount of fat. By using a non-stick pan you can minimize fat. Sear meat or fish on both sides to seal in the juices, resisting the urge to turn it several times. Turning the item only once allows golden brown caramelization to develop which will give a greater depth of flavor. Steam vegetables and saute them with seasonings to finish the dish.

Fresh herbs enhance soups and salads to entrees, and even desserts, with wonderful distinctive taste. Add herbs at the very last moment to preserve color and flavor. There is a wide variety of herbs to choose from: basil, bay, chervil, cilantro, dill, fennel, lemon verbena, lemongrass, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, sorrel, tarragon, and thyme to name a few. Most herbs are rich in vitamins and minerals. Herbs should compliment and not overpower your dish. Use appetizing herbs to add zest and replace heavy sauces whenever possible to make a positive and healthy change to your diet.

A perfectly roasted chicken is always a favorite. To add a connoisseur touch, rub the chicken with a clove of cut garlic and stuff the bird's cavity with a fresh lemon and sprigs of rosemary to infuse aroma. Let the chicken roast to a beautiful golden brown and later toss in quartered potatoes that have been seasoned along side your chicken. Can�t you smell the wonderfully fragrant dinner of Lemon Rosemary Chicken!

Fresh salsa can be an excellent compliment to meat, poultry and fish. Use traditional salsa or create a unique combination such as fresh pineapple, mango, fresh mint and jalapenos.

Have fun cooking and creating healthy gourmet fare. After all, it�s not rocket science; it's only delicious innovative food!