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Cook with Spice and Herbs
This last week I came home to the sweet smell of Indian spices as my friend, Simon Majumdar was in town having my wife video some of his favorite recipes. It was tough work, eating great food – but it reminded me why so many people who go on diets think eating chicken and salad is good for them.
Do you know what has flavor? Many chips, snack foods, and high calorie items. They go down easily, they have no bulk, and they don’t keep you full for a long time. There was an entire book written about the Dorito effect, how there is more flavor in that then in many foods. What doesn’t have flavor is the standard American Diet.
Plain steamed broccoli is kind of bitter and bland. Instead of just plain broccoli think of adding turmeric and red pepper flakes. Instead of cucumbers add some dill and some mint.
The only thing more bland than chicken breast is cardboard. Instead of bland chicken think of adding coriander, thyme, and maybe some herbs like sage. Salmon works great with dill, coriander, garlic and thyme.
How do you lose weight? You find new recipes by adding some spices and herbs – and when you add those to your diet you will have more flavor and learn to eat a lot less food. Do you know what is bland? Steak and potatoes. It is also a fat bomb. Instead slice the steak thin and add a chimichurri sauce (recipe here). You will eat less steak (you need some, you don’t need 12 ounces) and skip the potato and instead grill some great vegetables with a lot of herbs and spices. |
