Most people consider eating to be more than just a survival instinct or something that is just done to keep you alive. Instead, most people seriously enjoy eating, often to the point of excess. Food is something of an art form, and everything from the preparation of the food to the very presentation of a plate is something to be admired. More often than not, the taste and presentation of a meal tend to overshadow how healthy a meal is.
This is a dangerous precedent for most Americans, as a large percentage of people in the United States are living with chronic health conditions like diabetes, renal disease, or high blood pressure. Thankfully, people are starting to pay more attention to the health of their meals as well as the taste. There are recipes available just about everywhere, from magazines and cookbooks to online resources, which can help you put together tasty and healthy recipes. You do not have to compromise health for taste.
Sauces tend to be the biggest challenge for food lovers that want to eat healthy. Most sauces are typically comprised of heavy cream, butter, oil, and lots of salt. It doesn’t take much of a sauce like that to make a somewhat healthy meal a complete health disaster, although it might certainly taste good. What you really need are tasty healthy sauces that are made with delicious and natural ingredients.
Here are some great tasty healthy sauce recipes to get you started:
Cream Sauce
Cream sauces are used on a huge variety of different foods, from chicken to pasta dishes and much more. These sauces are usually made with a heavy cream base, which is of course loaded with fat, not to mention whatever salt and other flavorings you use as flavorings. The trick to healthy, tasty cream sauce is all in the substitutions you use.
Use a blend of low sodium vegetable broth and your favorite unsweetened nut or soy milk as your base instead of heavy cream. To recreate that rich flavor, blend in some well soaked raw cashews or almonds. Use corn starch as a thickening agent as needed. Flavor with fresh cracked pepper and fresh herbs and spices, if desired.
Red Sauce
Tomato based sauces are used for many pasta dishes, as well as chicken and vegetable dishes. You don’t have to crack open a jar of pre-made sauce, which is likely packed with preservatives and sodium, to get good flavor.
Start by sautéing some onion and fresh garlic in a small amount of extra virgin olive oil. While that is working on the stove, blend together chunks of fresh tomatoes and herbs of your choice such as basil, oregano, and parsley. Add the tomato mixture to your onion and garlic and simmer. The longer you are able to keep your sauce on a slow simmer, the better the flavors will meld together.
Brown Gravy
Brown gravy is a staple for all kinds of foods, from meat loaf to mashed potatoes. Most brown gravy recipes start with either the greasy drippings from roasted meat or, unfortunately, a packet of freeze dried sodium and preservatives.
To make your own natural and healthier version, start by sautéing some onion and mushrooms in a small amount of olive oil. Once they have cooked down some, pour in some low sodium or unsalted vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then use corn starch to thicken. Add your favorite herbs and fresh cracked black pepper to taste.
Sauces don’t have to be thick, heavy, unhealthy concoctions to taste good. These recipes prove that you can make your own delicious sauces with healthy, natural ingredients. You truly do not have to compromise taste for a healthier diet. For other great ideas click here.
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