You can look to the Mediterranean diet for healthy ways to cook meats. Although the types of meats you eat on a regular basis are important, the way you cook them is equally important. If you deep-fry a lean chicken breast, it’s not so lean anymore.
Folks in the Mediterranean tend to cook meats by using the following methods, which create a lot of flavor but still keep the meats lean:
Braise: Simmering meats over low heat in a liquid (such as water, broth, wine, or fruit juice) in a covered pot for a long period of time. Braising works nicely with chicken, beef, and pork dishes.
Grill: Cooking with direct heat over coals or another heat source such gas. Grilling is a delicious option for any kind of meat.
Poach: Cooking meats gently in a small amount of liquid (such as broth or water) just below boiling. This method works well with meats that cook quickly, such as fish.
Roast: Cooking meats uncovered with dry heat in the oven. Use this method with large pieces of meats, such as a whole chicken, a pot roast, or pork tenderloins.
Sauté: Quickly cooking meats in a small amount of fat (such as butter or oil), stirring until the meat is cooked through. Sautéing bite-sized pieces of chicken is easy and tasty.
