The best meal starts with the best ingredients. The home cook knows that the fresh meats, seafood, produce and herbs contribute to the success of a menu. So when you can, source your main ingredients from reputable supermarkets, groceries, specialty stores, and other sellers. These products may usually be sold at a premium but oftentimes, they are worth their weight in gold.
Take advantage of farmer’s markets, butcher shops, organic fairs, and seasonal sales so you can get these ingredients as close to the source as possible. It’s difficult to mask a stale fish or a tough cut of meat unless you douse it with sauce or sprinkle it with lots of herbs. But that’s not what you would want on your dinner table. Tender cuts of meat, succulent fish fillets, moist chicken breasts, crunchy vegetables, and brightly colored greens should grace your table as often as you can afford.
When shopping for these ingredients, always observe good hygiene and food safety in storage and preparation especially when handling meats, poultry, and eggs. Be aware of the correct cooking and internal temperature that each main ingredient should maintain. Most of these cooking temperature guidelines have been issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) so follow them and use meat thermometers to monitor these.
Choose the right cuts of meat, poultry and fish according to the dish you’re making. Tender cuts of pork and beef may easily be pan-fried and served with a side dish while tougher cuts would require slow cooking or long simmering in order to render them palatable and tender. Turkeys may likewise be roasted as a whole or pan-fried in parts. Thicker fish fillets require a bit longer to cook compared to more delicate fish.
Most of the main courses make use of meats such as pork, beef, lamb, and veal. But in the collection, there are also a lot of main course recipes on chicken, duck and turkey as well as game birds like pheasant, guinea fowl, and goose. Each ingredient has its specific way of being prepared and cooked so you can maximize the flavor and get the best taste.
As a healthier alternative to meat main courses, consider our selection of recipes on fish and seafood, vegetables, pasta, rice and grains. Complete your diet by including fruits and nuts as is or as ingredients for desserts and savory dishes. Lastly, season your dishes with fresh or dried herbs and spices.
