Flavorful Tips & Recipes

Flavor is the sensory impression of food that you taste and smell, which can stir up emotions. The heart-healthy recipes in this cookbook offer unique flavor experiences that will keep your taste buds on their toes without high-sodium, high-fat, or high-calorie foods and cooking methods.

These experiences are created in part through the use of herbs, spices, and bulb vegetables with little to no added salt. Canola oil showcases these seasonings and other ingredient flavors due to its neutral taste and light texture. It enhances, rather than interferes with, food flavors.

If you had to pick only four herbs to succeed in the kitchen, we would recommend parsley, basil, cilantro and oregano. Of course, these aren't the only herbs with which you'll want to experiment (and that are in our recipes), but keeping some or all of the "fab four" in your fridge or on your windowsill will ensure a dish that pops with flavor anytime.

Around the World in Herbs and Spices

Classic flavor combinations that may come in handy:

• Mexican: Bell and hot peppers, onion, garlic, lime, cilantro, coriander seeds, cumin, and oregano.
• Italian: Basil, bay leaves, garlic, onion, tomato, parsley, oregano, red pepper, and rosemary.
• Asian: Soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, ginger, sesame seed, cilantro, lime, orange, and green onion.
• Caribbean and North African: Allspice, cloves, coriander seeds, garlic, ginger, curry powder, thyme, oregano, lime, turmeric, cumin, cilantro, and red pepper.
• Greek: Olives, dill, garlic, lemon, capers, mint, nutmeg, and oregano.

	Recipe: Hoisin Orange Pork on Asian Vegetables Recipe: Rich, Warm Brownie Wedges with Java Cream