Monday, December 21, 2009
Healthy Wonton Soup
Tonight I was feeling really blue, so the hubby made some soup. Not just any soup... one of my favorite soups. Right next to Miso soup... WONTON SOUP!
My favorite ingredients for this soup are the sesame oil and the pork. Now some people think of pork as a less healthy meat than most, but that's largely debateable. This dish doesn't have a load of pork in it, so if you don't like or don't eat pork you can substitute it for a different type of protein. It shouldn't make a huge difference. I start by mixing the meat with a dab of sesame oil, chopped green onions, and salt. Mix it up and fill up those wontons. All you have to do is drop them into a tasty sesame-flavored broth, and presto!!! We add bok choy, as well. Bok Choy give the broth an earthy flavor and it goes better with the pork than a Wakami would. Save the healthy, yummy seaweed for the Miso soup :-)
My favorite ingredients for this soup are the sesame oil and the pork. Now some people think of pork as a less healthy meat than most, but that's largely debateable. This dish doesn't have a load of pork in it, so if you don't like or don't eat pork you can substitute it for a different type of protein. It shouldn't make a huge difference. I start by mixing the meat with a dab of sesame oil, chopped green onions, and salt. Mix it up and fill up those wontons. All you have to do is drop them into a tasty sesame-flavored broth, and presto!!! We add bok choy, as well. Bok Choy give the broth an earthy flavor and it goes better with the pork than a Wakami would. Save the healthy, yummy seaweed for the Miso soup :-)
My second favorite ingredient, sesame seed oil, is fabulous. I like to use this kind...it's dark and rich and tasty! You can find it in your Asian aisle at the grocer or at any Asian market.
Let me introduce a couple of high points for this health-conscious oil...
Highlights
1. It has natural antioxidants and antidepressants. *Fun Fact* Chinese use this for women in postpardum confinement, as it brings about a sense of well-being. (It really is a soothing smell and taste)
2. Easily penetrates the skin, so great for massages.
3. Apply to your hair for a deeper color, also helps prevent hair loss.
4. Wonderful alternative medicine in Indian cultures.
5. Helps to control blood pressure.
6. Stores at room temperature.
*If you're allergic to peanuts, it's highly likely you'll develop an allergy to sesame seeds and oils. Be cautious!
When I cook with oils, I try to be conscious of their pros and cons. Vegetable oil, corn oils, etc. have less healthy benefits than olive oils and such, so I try to only use less healthy oils for high temperature frying where less of the oil has a chance to soak into the foods. Also, a good trick to cut out unnecessary fats is to cut half to 75% of butter/ margaraine intake by using a mixture of 75% olive oil and 25% butter. It tastes great and you still have a buttery flavor!
Happy Cooking.......
Labels: antioxidants, bok choy, broth, butter, healthy, hot, miso, oils, pork, recipe, sesame, soup, wonton
¶ Monday, December 21, 2009
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