Experts Give Healthy Cooking Tips for Lny Dishes

Lunar New Year's Day in Korea and traditional, savory dishes go hand in hand. But if you're looking to cut back on the calories, local food experts say there's plenty you can to do to cook up a storm of healthy and delicious holiday treats. Our Paul Yi reports. Here in Korea, the gathering of family during Lunar New Year's Day wouldn't be complete without the sound of sizzling meatballs and the hearty aroma of rice cake stew, or tteokguk. However, your typical Korean holiday feast can quickly fill up a table with delicious foods that are often high in fat and loaded with calories. But researchers at the Rural Development Administration say there are many ways to go healthy without sacrificing taste. For example, using fresh zucchinis instead of battered pork can give dishes a kick of flavor and a yummy texture. Other key cooking tips include avoiding frying foods with lots of oil in the frying pan and using less salt in favor of other spices. "There wasn't as big a difference in taste as I thought there would. Even though I used a lot of oil before, I guess it's better to cook with a little less grease so there's a lower amount of calories." These simple adjustments in recipes and ingredients can reduce the average level of calories in dishes by some 20 percent. And over a single holiday weekend, the nutritional savings can add up quickly. "Rather than using a lot of grease in baking or frying our foods, we used cooking methods such as grilling or boiling which use much less oil. We were also able to lower calories by using less fatty ingredients and using vegetables instead of meat." The smart culinary choices stay true to the traditional spirit of the lunar holiday by satisfying the appetites of loved ones, while wishing them good health in the New Year. Paul Yi, Arirang News