More than ever, Americans are preparing their meals at home. It’s easy to get bored with the same old dishes, but with a few simple adjustments, you can make the traditional standbys fresh again with some flavor fusions. Today I shared simple tips to update your summer menu with Asian-inspired meal ideas on affiliates across the country.
My number 1 secret ingredient is Nakano rice vinegars
You can use them as part of a recipe or to simply add a delicious splash of Asian inspired flavor. They come in different delectable varieties that are crafted to perfection and allow you to personalize and infuse flavor into your favorite dishes. I used the NAKANO Natural rice vinegar in Spicy Korean Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas . It adds a slightly tangy yet subtle flavor boost to the sauce which lightly coats the peppers, onions and chicken. The sauce is scalable in spice level depending on how much gochujang and chili flakes are used.
In my Hawaiian-Inspired Seasoned Stir-Fry and I’ve used NAKANO Seasoned Rice Vinegar which adds adds zest and subtle sweetness along with bell peppers, sugar snap peas and riced cauliflower. Rice Vinegar is also great for bringing a boost of flavor to salad dressings, marinades and sauces.
In my pantry, I keep a variety of herbs and spices – they are a great way to add a lot of flavor for not a lot of calories.
Sesame seeds are also a great pantry staple and very common in Japan. They add vitamins, minerals and healthy fats to meals. And just like Rice Vinegar, they add a little Asian flair to almost any dish.
In-season fruits and veggies spends less time from farm to table, so they maintain much of their nutrition and flavor unlike out of season produce that undergoes early picking, cooling, and heating.
Right now, there are so many deicious fruits and veggies in season like berries, peaches, zucchini, cucumbers and of course watermelon. So whenever you can, buy in-season produce.
These food prep tips will make your life easier –
I recccomend having chopped veggies, prepared lean proteins and cooked whole grains stored in the fridge, ready to incorporate into balanced meals throughout the week. It makes your life easier and ensures you are getting the nutrition you need.
