How chefs are including anti-inflammatories into their dishes

An anti-inflammatory diet can help people with a variety of medical conditions manage their symptoms while enjoying a variety of delicious dishes.

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April 6, 2018 4 min read

Inflammation contributes to a lower quality of life in a wide variety of ways. Part of the human body’s response to a variety of potentially harmful outside agents as well as certain types of immune system dysfunction, inflammation serves an important role in healing but can also be harmful when not controlled. Conditions ranging from asthma to diverticulitis share inflammation as a root cause.

What does inflammation have to do with your education at the best culinary schools in Colorado? Dishes containing anti-inflammatory ingredients are increasingly popular for those who manage a variety of conditions that lead to non-productive inflammatory responses, as Medical News Today pointed out. Meals containing these ingredients are also perfectly suitable for all diners, and can be delicious as any other food when prepared under the supervision of a trained chef. Let’s look at some ingredients and recipes especially popular in the world of anti-inflammatory meals.

Beans being washed.Beans are a common component of anti-inflammatory diets.

Popular anti-inflammatory ingredients

In general, anti-inflammatory dishes center around certain vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, spices and herbs. Specific examples include kale, green tea, broccoli, avocado, coconut, dark chocolate, extra-virgin olive oil, blueberries and cherries. On the other hand, highly processed foods, fried foods, refined sugars, white bread and pasta and many vegetable oils are among the ingredients and meal types those on anti-inflammatory diets should avoid.

Chefs developing anti-inflammatory dishes or putting their own spin on existing recipes should stay away from frying foods, using most types of vegetable oils and high-carbohydrate foods. They should focus on dishes containing fish, vegetables, fruits, olive oil and a variety of spices and herbs. With that in mind, consider these recipes and how you can adapt them to appeal to the tastes of your customers.

Smoky kale chips make for an inflammation-friendly snack food

While those on anti-inflammatory diets are cautioned to avoid a variety of processed, prepared snack foods, that doesn’t mean there are no options to enjoy a crispy, crunchy, salty snack. The Food Network’s Ellie Krieger shared this simple but delicious and high-yield recipe for baked kale chips.

To prepare, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then remove ribs and stems from one bunch of kale. Tear each leaf into pieces 3-4 inches in size. Toss with olive oil, smoked paprika and salt, then bake on two cooking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes, removing when browning appears on the chip edges. Consider serving with hummus or creating your own dip using some anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Honey-roasted carrots with thyme are a super side dish

Cooking blog Feed Me Phoebe featured this easy recipe as a sweet but nutritious side dish that’s packed with flavor. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and assemble your ingredients to begin. Toss the scrubbed carrots with honey, olive oil and salt, then bake for 30 minutes, until the carrots caramelize. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.

Salmon and arugula provide a delicious main course

Pan-seared salmon served on arugula salad is a versatile main dish that has plenty of anti-inflammatory properties. Consider this straightforward recipe from Epicurious as a base to build from. Toss your salmon fillets with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, then let rest for 15 minutes. Cook the fillets over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, taking care to lift the salmon from the pan gently. Lower the heat to medium and cook for 3-4 minutes more, looking for crisp skin and a medium-rare appearance. Then, prepare the salad ingredients, season and drizzle with oil and vinegar.

A few anti-inflammatory dishes can help you appeal to a broader array of customers. Consider using these recipes as well as developing your own.

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