Masting of the art of homemade: tips and techniques for each kitchen

There are hundreds of kitchen tools you can choose from, but only a few that are few will be your everyday staples.

Getting your kitchen set up with the right tools can make cooking at home more fun and less stressful! With a few important things for prepping, cooking and storing your homemade meals, you are ready to tackle any recipe and feel like a total pro in your own kitchen.

As a dietitian, here is my list of must-have tools that make cooking easier, faster and more fun.

Tools for prepping

• The chef’s knife: An 8-inch chef knife is a great opportunity for everything. If you are looking for a few knives, a smaller paring knife is another kitchen staple.
• Cutting board: Get a sturdy, non -slip plastic plate for safe and effective meal preparation. Choose a large to versatility.
• Measurement of cups and spoons: These are important for accurate ingredient measurements in both cooking and baking.
• Mixture of bowls: Find a set of different sizes for mixing, marinating and serving ingredients.
• Vegetable peel: This is your tool for light peeling of fruits, vegetables and potatoes.

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Cooking tools

• 12-inch nonstick or cast iron bucket: Perfect for cooking eggs and saute of ingredients for dinner.
• Warehouse pot: A 6-liter pot for boiling pasta, soups and casseroles,
• Tongues: To turn meat, throw salads and handle hot items safely.
• Spatula: Great for stirring sauces and soups without scratching cookware.
• Great baking sheet: Ideal for roasting vegetables, plate meals, baked chicken and more. Plus, it acts as your cookie sheet for dessert!

Tools for storage

• Food storage containers: A variety of airtight containers for meals for meals and leftovers. Glass or plastic containers work here, and be sure to choose a variety of sizes.
• Plastic wrap and aluminum foil: Practical to cover dishes and wrapping food for storage.
• Serves spoons or cool: Large serving spoons help store your food and clean up with much faster. If you are planning for meals, you may even find options that stand out a specific amount, e.g. A 1-Cup-Slep so you get the same part in each serving in your stored containers.
• Zip-top bags: Useful for marinating meat or storing chopped or prepared ingredients in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Mason jars: Perfect for storing homemade sauces, dressings or pantry staples.

About the experts

Caroline Thomason, Rd Ldn, Cdces Is a dietitian and diabetes teacher who combines her love for nutrition with the power of making better health easy to understand. With 12 years in the industry, she is published in 40+ publications, a CPG consultant and advisor, a speaker, posted spokesman and recipe developer.

Stephanie Nelson, MS, RD, is a dietitian and is MyFitnessPal’s internal nutritionist and nutritionist. Passionate to promote a healthy lifestyle, Stephanie graduated from San Diego State University focusing on research and disease prevention.

Basic cooking techniques that everyone should know

If you’ve ever felt lost in the kitchen you’re not alone. Many people grow up without learning basic cooking skills, which can get started feeling scary. But cooking doesn’t have to be complicated – that only a few simple techniques can make a big difference.

By learning basic skills such as chopping, saute and baking, you gain confidence in preparing meals without stress. With a little practice, cooking at home can be easier, more fun and a good way to support your health.

Here are a few important kitchen techniques you can practice to increase your confidence and set up for delicious, nutritious meals.

Chopping

Whether you dice onion, slicing fruit or cubing of chicken breast, knowing how to chop is a basic skill that you use again and again. Good knife skills make cooking faster and safer.

Our tip? Keep your fingertips stored under (also known as “Claw Grip”) and let the knife do the work. Starting slowly and practicing frequently – to stick a bunch of vegetables is a great way to build muscle memory!

Saute

This technique is perfect for adding flavor on a flash. Heat some oil in a saucepan, toss your ingredients in, and keep them moving. Think about it as giving your vegetables or proteins a quick browning in the pan to get their best taste out. Sauteing is perfect when you want a little caramelization in your bowl. Whether you make onions or browning protein like steak or chicken, sauteing is a great opportunity for flavor and quick cooking.

Boiling

Cooking is your go-to technique for cooking pasta, beans, potatoes, cereals or blanching of vegetables. You can also cook proteins such as hard -boiled eggs or chicken breast if you want to shred it or add more spices later.

Baking

Baking can be a science, but it doesn’t have to be scary. Simple sheets of sheets are baked and you just throw everything on a large baking sheet and bake until done.

Meal planner is here! Build a custom meal plan around your Calorie and macroma goals today.

Try meals

Cooking on a budget: Ideas for affordable meals

With a little planning and some smart shopping, you can create balanced, nutritious meals that are light on your wallet.

Here are some simple tips and delicious meals to get started.

1. Baked Ziti Casserole: A comforting classic that doesn’t break the bank! This stew combines pasta for whole wheat, marinara sauce and a mixture of ricotta and mozzarella cheeses into a protein-packed, solid dish. Add a little chopped spinach to extra nutrients and bake until bubbling to a crowd-pleasing meal.
2. Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup: This classic tortilla soup is a budget-friendly, one-pot wonder. It has chicken, vegetables and a flavorful blend of spices for a filling and nutritious meal. Top with a doll of Greek yogurt, Mexican cheese or a sprinkle of fresh herbs for extra flavor.
3. Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwich: A delicious VRI on a classic tuna salad, this version adds mashed chickpeas to extra fiber and bulk. Mix with a light bandage of Greek yogurt, lemon juice and your favorite spices, then serve on whole grain bread with crispy salad and sliced ​​tomatoes.
4. Sweet and spicy chicken meatballs: These flavorful meatballs are made with lean painted chicken, breadcrumbs and a sweet and spicy glaze. They are easy to make and pair perfect with brown rice or a simple side salad.
5. Cashew cooking and broccoli Stir Fry: A quick and affordable stirring made with tender strips of beef, crunchy broccoli and a tasty sauce with a touch of sweetness from hoisin and a crunch from cashews. Serve over brown rice or quinoa for a balanced high protein dinner that is ready in less than 30 minutes.

Want more tips on how to make delicious meals without breaking the bank? We’ve got you covered with our dietitian-reviewed recipes you can make for less than $ 5 per day. Portion.

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Cook healthy, balanced meals at home

Cooking healthy food at home doesn’t have to be boring or complicated – in fact, it can be a creative adventure. With a few smart swaps and light tips you can whip meals that are both tasty and nutritious.

Here are some of my favorite tips:

• Focus on ingredients in whole foods: Use minimally processed foods such as whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats and vegetables to create balanced meals.
• Swap white to whole grains: Use brown rice instead of white. Try whole grain pasta instead of traditional. Deals with a white flour bread for a 100% whole grain bread.
• Light it up: When you can, use Greek yogurt instead of cream fraiche and milk instead of cream for a lower calorie recipe without sacrificing flavor.
• Add taste without extra calories: Use herbs, spices and citrus to add flavor to your dishes instead of relying on heavy sauces or added oils.
• Try batch cooking: Meal prepared healthy ingredients such as toasted vegetables, grilled chicken or cooked grains to make the collection of balanced meals during the week a breeze.
• Add fruits and vegetables: Add spinach to smoothies, zucchini to pasta dishes or extra vegetables for soups and casseroles. Serve cut fruit on the side of your meals for a fiber and nutrient boost.

How to find recipes on the MyFitnessPal app

Use recipe discovery in the MyFitnessPal app to make the planning of a week’s homemade meals quickly and easily. From breakfast settings to meals that are prepared worthy dinners, the MyFitnessPal recipe collections cover a variety of recipe area.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you explore recipe ideas for your meals:

1. Open the MyFitnessPal app: Start the app on your phone and press the “More” menu. Choose from there “Recipe Discovery.”
2. Browse recipes: Explore categories such as breakfast, lunch or dinner to narrow your options. You can also choose to see recipes based on pantry staples, dishes that are good after training and more.
3. Review recipe options: Scroll through the list of curated recipes and click on any meal to see the full recipe, complete with ingredients, step-by-step instructions and nutritional information.
4. Save and log recipes: Once you’ve found a recipe you love, tap “Save” to add it to your favorites. You can also log the meal directly in your food diary for seamless nutrition tracking.

Pro Tip: Add your own most-shattering cooked recipes to the app! “MyFitnessPal really opens the opportunity to make the most of the homemade for your health journey because it helps you be authorized with knowledge,” says Nelson.

She suggests importing recipes that you make and analyzing nutrition so you can learn if the recipe helps you achieve goals that are critical of success as protein or fiber.

Frequently asked questions (frequently asked questions)

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