This Just In ...

Culinary no-no #286

Posted by Kevin Fischer on July 15, 2012

Culinary no-no's

THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF
FOOD BLOGS, BUT ONLY ONE CULINARY NO-
NO!

Betcha think I don't eat all that healthy all that much.

You probably think my idea of a well-rounded, healthy meal is...






Minus the skin, gravy, and butter, of course.

Like most people, I believe I have a basic understanding of what's healthy and what's not. But do I?

And do those folks who really, really, really think in their heart of hearts they truly get what's healthy actually really, really, really know?

I asked two regular readers of Culinary no-no to submit to me their suggestions for a full meal, from appetizer to dessert, that was not only healthy but tasty for a reason that will be explained later that even they weren't told and won't know until they read this segment.

We start with, and I won't use her real name, so let's just call her Marianne who has decided to use an Italian theme.

Giada De Laurentiis, hold on to your meatballs and take notes.

Appetizer - Spinach stuffed mushrooms.






Next: Tomato-onion-avocado salad.

 


Main Course:  Scallop Piccata on Angel hair pasta.






Per serving: 387 calories; 7 g fat ( 2 g sat , 3 g mono ); 42 mg cholesterol; 50 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 28 g protein; 7 g fiber; 465 mg sodium; 514 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (96% daily value), Magnesium (29% dv), Vitamin C (25% dv), Zinc (17% dv).

Wow. Marianne (not her real name) took her assignment seriously and did her homework.

Silly fool. Did she not realize that embellishing and going the extra mile would get her absolutely nothing?

Next: Baby Tiramisu. Now we're gettin' somewhere!

 


Per serving: 107 calories; 2 g fat ( 1 g sat , 0 g mono ); 3 mg cholesterol; 18 g carbohydrates; 3 g protein; 0 g fiber; 125 mg sodium; 29 mg potassium.

Thank you, Marianne, for helping in this on-line experiment. As a special parting gift, we will get you your very own special copy of a podcast the next time I fill in for Mark Belling on Newstalk 1130 WISN.

We now move on to, oh, wait a minute, that's right. Gotta change the name.

We now move on to Dawn...Dawn, go away, I'm no good for you.

Ahem. I get carried away sometimes.

Dawn, not her real name, has, unlike Marianne, submitted a la cucaracha, Mexican-themed dinner.

So Dawn, show us what you've got!  Well, you know I mean.

APPETIZER: Roasted Shrimp With Pepita Pesto. Roasted shrimp tossed with cayenne served with a zesty pesto of pumpkin seeds, parsley, and cilantro.

Next: Red Rice made with tomato sauce and chili powder.






Next:  Sautéed Corn and Poblano peppers, with fresh lime juice.






Entree: Shredded Pork Tacos. Fork-tender pork seasoned with oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper wrapped in corn tortillas topped with radishes, sour cream, and fresh salsa.

OK. My curiosity is up again.






Alright, Dawn. Don't let me down.

And down the stretch we come with....dessert!.

Does Dawn disappoint?

OMG...NO SHE DOESN'T!

Pineapple Flan. This dessert incorporates pineapple juice for a tropical twist on a Mexican classic.






BTW: Like everything on This Just In..., the above is the real deal, the genuine article. That really is a yummy pineapple flan.

Dawn, you get a future podcast, too!

My congrats to...uhhh, what were their names again?...oh, yeh, Marianne and Dawn for meeting their assignment 100%. For that, they gain all that comes with being mentioned here. Those who can figure out who Marianne and Dawn really are will want to be around them, touch them, talk to them, and ultimately be their new best friends.

Why did I ask Marianne and Dawn to lend their expertise? Scientists at an independent British organization, Leatherhead Food Research spent years reviewing over 4,000 promises made by supermarkets and manufacturers about foods to appeal to health-conscious consumers. They found that 222 of those health claims actually were based in scientific fact. From those 222, the researchers concocted what they says is the healthiest meal...ever.

The Daily Mail reports:

“The menu starts with a fresh and smoked salmon terrine, which contains Omega 3 and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) which is good for the arteries, heart and brain. An accompanying mixed leaf salad with a dressing of extra virgin olive oil is good for maintaining normal blood cholesterol levels.  Chicken casserole with lentils and mixed vegetables is a particularly nutritious main meal, with the study showing it could safely make 80 official health claims. For dessert, a live yogurt-based blancmange topped with walnuts and a sugar-free caramel-flavored sauce scores well as being good for digestion, the teeth and blood glucose control.”

Take a look, along with some added snack ideas.

For me, I'm always leery when claims are made that say it's "the best," the "ultimate." Some of you may recall my Culinary blogs on the "perfect burger" and the burger that would "change your life."

To be honest, I don't know that I'd ever want to eat the healthiest meal...ever. However, I do agree with researchers that say, "No matter how healthy, if foods do not taste good, they will not sell."

Read more in The Daily Mail.

And here's a Culinary no-no bonus from a few weeks ago worth repeating.


CULINARY NO-NO BONUS

You have to cut and slice and dice and chop.


And it was bound to happen...

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