Americans love convenience food, but a sure way to improve your health is by preparing home-cooked meals often. Currently, most dine-in restaurants have limited seating due to the need for social distancing. Take this opportunity to cook meals at home for various health benefits, fewer bills, and better savings. Consuming home-cooked meals at least five days a week is associated with longevity.
Benefits of Cooking
Although processed and convenient foods are the easiest and quickest options, they significantly affect your health and mood. Unlike meals cooked in restaurants, when you prepare your meals, you can ensure you use fresh and wholesome ingredients. You tend to have control over the condiments in your meals. It will help you stabilize your weight and boost your energy, leaving you with a healthier look and feel.
For women, home-cooked meals can reduce symptoms of menopause and PMS as well as boost fertility. If on a special diet or in your weight loss journey, preparing meals at home gives you control over portion sizes and ingredients for effective weight loss and the ability to cope with allergies.
Home-cooked meals reduce the risk of contracting a food-borne disease due to safe food handling. Create free time from your busy schedule to prepare a meal. It is an excellent stress reliever because even when you make the simplest of meals, it boosts your creativity and confidence.
Kitchen Tools Must-Have for the New Chef
A chef’s knife is indispensable to every chef. You will notice that most of the prep time requires the use of a chef’s knife. Check for the knife’s durability and comfortableness. Invest in a Y- shaped peeler that is sharp enough to reduce your prep time.
If fish is a delicacy you enjoy, you need a fish spatula. The spatula serves multiple purposes, such as flipping your eggs, meat, chicken, and pancakes. Go for a light-weight stainless steel spatula for all your flipping needs.
A colander also serves various purposes in the kitchen and a must-have for every new chef. It acts like a pasta strainer, a vegetable blanching basket, and straining excess oil from fried foods. If you love mashed potatoes, but find it challenging to have creamy, soft and velvety mashed potatoes free from the gooey texture, get a potato ricer to achieve a smooth taste.
Kitchen tongs are essential for turning over pan-fried foods, reaching your grilled chicken in the oven, and serving food. Purchase high tensile steel tongs with a heat-resistant handle to avoid burning your hand.
Cooking Tips
For proper distribution of heat and well-cooked meat, don’t overcrowd your pan. Ensure you leave some inches between each item in your skillet for a well cooked meal. Let your red meat sit for a few minutes before dicing or cutting into it after cooking. For a juicy steak, place it on top of an aluminum foil after taking it from the grill and wrap it to retain moisture and favors.
For lower utility bills, compare gas and electricity tariffs and prices with Infinite Energy for a great value for your money. Switch to a convenient and cheaper supplier for reduced utility bills and save money. Making home-cooked meals has a plethora of benefits from health to improved confidence. All you need to do is invest in some simple must-have kitchen appliances. Ensure you make your meals at least five times, weekly for long life, and reduced risk of diseases, including heart disease. A great tip to lessen your costs when cooking meals at home is to compare gas and electricity rates and find the most affordable prices for savings.
