To enjoy the taste of our favorite savory recipes, we do not need to sacrifice our well-being. Although it is more convenient for us to go to the store and buy packaged products, the healthiest thing to do is to avoid processed products that have little nutritional value and can harm our health.
We will learn how to make these kitchen classics at home: mayonnaise, ketchup (or catsup), BBQ sauce, Italian tomato sauce and breading. These recipes will be ideal substitutes for commercial products, adding a lot of flavors to our savory dishes and, most importantly, providing our bodies with high-quality nutrients. You can also make these incredible Homemade Recipes of Commercial Sweet Products.
We will use natural ingredients that can usually be easily found at your local grocery store. Otherwise, feel free to substitute with those you can find or those of your preference.
Yummy Recipes for Healthy Savory Substitutes
1. HOMEMADE MAYONNAISE
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ tsp. mustard (English mustard preferred)
- ½ cup peanut oil or extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Grain salt
- Ground pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Blend the egg yolk and mustard for 1 minute. Then, slowly drizzle in the oil without stopping the blender. Continue blending for approximately 2 to 4 minutes, until the consistency is thick. Then add the lemon juice, season to taste, and store in the refrigerator.
2. HOMEMADE KETCHUP OR CATSUP
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 pounds ripe tomatoes
- ½ cup granulated brown sugar or panela (raw sugar cane) sugar
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp. ground cloves or 2 whole cloves
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a pot, cook the halved tomatoes with a little water. Once they are cooked, you must blend them until they have the consistency of puree, then you must pass it through a fine strainer. Put it back in the pot, add the other ingredients, and cook over low heat for approximately 20 minutes or until a thick consistency is achieved. To thicken a little more, you can add 1 teaspoon of flour to ¼ cup of water.
Tip: It can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.
3. HOMEMADE ITALIAN TOMATO SAUCE
INGREDIENTS:
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 celery stalk (optional)
- 1 carrot (optional)
- 3 pounds of ripe tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons of dried herbs
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt or rock salt
- 2 tsp. sugar (optional)
- 10 fresh basil leaves
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a pot, pour the olive oil and heat over medium heat.
When the oil is hot, add the onion and garlic and cook until they are softened. In this step, you can add a chopped celery stalk and a chopped carrot.
Blend the tomatoes together with the sautéed ingredients, adding the dried herbs, salt and sugar.
Pour the sauce into the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring every now and then. When you reach the desired thickness, add the basil and continue cooking for about 5 minutes more.
If you want a thinner consistency, blend the sauce again.
Store in a glass container, let cool, cover, and store in the refrigerator.
Tip: It can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.
4. HOMEMADE BBQ SAUCE
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ½ cups ketchup (ideally homemade)
- ½ cup tomato puree (ideally homemade)
- 3 tbsp. organic apple cider vinegar or white vinegar
- 3 tbsp. soy sauce (low sodium)
- 5 tbsp. brown sugar
- ½ tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 to 2 tbsp. paprika powder
- Optional:
- ½ tbsp. chili powder
- ½ tbsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. turmeric or mustard powder
- 1 tsp. ground pepper
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix all ingredients and cook over medium heat for 10–15 minutes.
Allow to cool before storing in a covered container.
Tip: It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month.
5. HOMEMADE BREADING
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 loaf of baguette (or you can use straggler bread)
- Extra virgin olive oil or ghee to taste
- Sea salt
- Ground pepper
- ½ cup processed parsley
- 2 tbsp. dried oregano
INSTRUCTIONS:
Spread the oil, salt, pepper, parsley and oregano on the bread.
Put the bread (whole or in squares) in the oven in “toast” mode for 10 to 15 minutes.
Wait for it to cool, then place it in a food processor and process it until it is fine.
Keep it in an airtight container.
I hope you enjoy each of these recipes at home!
