Soul food recipes continue to enjoy great popularity among consumers. The growing popularity is attributed to the Great Recession. Because the dishes have a reputation for sticking to the ribs or being persistent. For example, eating the average soul food meal sticks with the average person 2 to 3 hours longer than Chinese food. And it lasts up to an hour longer than Italian food, which came second in this University of California study.
These recipes have helped many African American families get through some of the toughest times in this nation’s history. Many health professionals have questioned the health concerns of this traditional Southern cuisine. Why? Because of the high salt, fat and calorie content. But like most kitchens that stand the test of time, it adapts to the changing needs of consumers.
Today, healthy soul food is one of the fastest growing cuisines. You can now find more restaurants, food manufacturers and even recipe website publishers adapting to this new trend. By offering more menu items with less salt, fat and calories, the company becomes healthier.
Here are the most viewed questions for the month of August 2010. Many of the questions reflect the health concerns that more and more consumers are having about their diet.
1. What is the best substitute for using Fatback and Ham Hocks?
Fatty back and ham shank used to be staples used to flavor soul food dishes. For example, kale, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, and other southern vegetable dishes. But due to its high fat, calorie, and sodium content, many people have turned to smoked turkey necks as a healthier alternative. Smoked turkey necks are low in fat and sodium and add that smoky, spicy flavor to dishes.
2. I have to avoid fried foods for health reasons. What is the healthiest alternative for fried dishes?
A healthier alternative to frying food is something called oven frying. This is one of the fastest growing cooking techniques due to its health benefits over deep frying. It has many benefits, especially for people with heart problems, weight problems and those who want to avoid them.
Done right, oven roasting can give you the same flavor benefits as deep frying. For example the deliciously crunchy texture without any health risks. Now you will find more people enjoying oven fried chicken, french fries, onion rings, shrimp and all the other popular foods.
3. I love soul food desserts. But I need to cut down on sugar, what’s the best sugar substitute that doesn’t taste like motor oil?
One of the best white sugar alternatives you can use in desserts is agave nectar or agave syrup. Compared to sugar, it has fewer health concerns. It’s about 31% sweeter than sugar, so you can use less. It’s great for cookies, cakes, cobblers and other places where you would normally use white sugar.
Another benefit of using agave is that it has little to no impact on blood sugar or insulin levels, making it an excellent health alternative to granulated sugar. You can often find agave in the health food section of most supermarkets or health food stores, as well as online. You will also find many free tips for healthy cooking Soul food recipes Web pages.
Thanks to Roy Primm
