Athletes and exercisers often focus on what they should be eating to maintain their health and improve their performance. However, there is one question that many people neglect to ask: what goes great with bread? There are lots of different breads - white bread, soda bread, brown bread, wholemeal bread and wholegrain and many more. Bread is so inviting with its golden brown colour as you work your sharp knife through your loaf of bread. You think about which diary product will fit neatly on top and you don't need a step-by-step recipe or bread recipes if you've been to the local bakery. Here are some ideas to get you started.
1. Cheese
2. Butter
3. Honey
4. Jam
5. Olive oil
6. Salt
Cheese is an essential part of many cultures throughout the world. It can be used to enhance the flavour of a wide variety of dishes and add a unique texture to food. It is also highly nutritious, with high levels of calcium and protein that can aid in healthy digestion and muscle growth. A great variety of cheeses exist, each with its own set of distinct flavour notes and characteristics.
Cheeses are made both from cow's milk and other animal milks, as well as plant based milks. Cheese can also be combined with various herbs, spices or flavourings for an even more creative culinary experience. All types of cheese are highly versatile and make a welcome addition to any meal. From blue cheese salad dressing to pizza made with mozzarella cheese to fondue served up with a variety of different cheeses, cheese adds substance and savouriness to any dish.
In addition, it's low fat content means it is healthier than many believe it to be, making it the perfect accompaniment for nutritious meals. In short, cheese has been beloved by generations for its myriad delicious uses in the kitchen - no matter what type you choose, you won't go wrong! Cheese is a nutritious food filled with calcium and protein that comes in numerous varieties, each with their own unique flavours and textures.
Whether its used as part of salads or pizzas or melted down into warm comforting fondue recipes, adding cheese make meals tastier and more enjoyable - thanks to its versatility it is easy to find uses for any types! Plus its low fat content makes eating it guilt-free! All this sums up why people love this food so much!
Butter, a dairy food, is a kitchen staple that has been used for centuries to enhance the flavour of food and to add a creamy texture. Historically, it has been made by churning milk or cream until the fats separate from the liquid. Today, butter is available in many different forms, such as salted or unsalted, spreadable butters, and cooking butters. All types of butter start with some form of cream which then undergoes pasteurization and churning, resulting in a delicious semi-solid fat.
It can be used in baking to make lighter cakes, cookies, and pastries; on toast; or as an ingredient in sauces. Butter plays an important role in haute cuisine as well, serving as one of the main components of classic French dishes such as hollandaise sauce and béarnaise sauce.
No matter how it is used, butter makes a welcome addition to any dish due to its versatility and richness. Therefore, it can be said that butter is truly a culinary delight worth savouring!
Honey has always had a unique place in history, and is renowned for its wide range of beneficial properties. People have long valued this sweet substance as a natural remedy, and it is often used to treat wounds and skin ailments.
Aside from its curative powers, honey also has antioxidant and antibacterial properties that make it effective in boosting immunity and fighting infection. Due to its inherent sweetness, honey is popularly added to food as a healthy alternative to refined sugars. It can be used as baking ingredient or drizzled on fruits for added sweetness without the feeling of guilt that would come with eating processed sugars.
Beyond its culinary uses, honey can be harvested and sold for economic gain by both individuals and businesses alike. As such, it is an invaluable resource that not only provides health benefits, but serves as an important source of income around the world. From ancient times up to the present day, it seems that honey will continue to enjoy its prestigious place in history due to its many advantages.
Jam has been enjoyed for centuries around the world, offering both a tasty and convenient way to preserve fruit in a sweet, spreadable form. It typically takes on either a solid or jelly-like consistency and is usually made with combinations of fruits mixed with sugar and pectin. Jams are easy to prepare and can be cooked in any kitchen, allowing individuals to easily make jams at home with fresh seasonal fruits.
The process of making jam involves boiling down the fruit for a long period of time so that it can slowly blend with the other ingredients. Once cooled, the resulting product is thick, sweet and incredibly flavourful. Store-bought jam can last for months at a time if left unopened. Home-made jams should be consumed within one month as they do not contain preservatives like those found in commercially produced varieties.
Whether homemade or store-bought, jam makes an excellent topping for toast, scones or ice cream – giving any meal an irresistible burst of flavour. With its ease of preparation as well as its wide range of flavours, it’s no wonder why people all over the world enjoy jam!
Olive oil is a staple in many cultures around the world and has long been prized for its flavour, nutrition, and health benefits. It is obtained from the fruit of olive trees, which have been cultivated in Mediterranean countries since ancient times.
Unlike other oils, it is usually extracted without the need for chemical or industrial processes. As a result, it boasts a higher level of antioxidants than other oils, making it an ideal choice for cooking. Furthermore, its high proportion of monounsaturated fats means it can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
While flavourful, nutrient-rich olive oil can be expensive compared to more conventional oils; however, its immense range of benefits make it well worth seeking out. Ultimately, olive oil's unique properties make it an essential ingredient in any kitchen.
Salt is a crystal-like substance composed of two essential elements: sodium and chlorine. Salt has been part of human diet since prehistory, with evidence suggesting it was used as a food preservative in as early as 6500 B.C.
It has been used for millennia by sailors and traders to preserve food during long voyages, adding unique flavours to various dishes throughout history. Today, salt is commonly found in table shakers, added to enhance flavours in cooking, or used in curing meats and cheeses. In addition to its culinary uses, salt is also a significant industrial commodity due to its ability to melt ice on roads, prevent bacterial growth and promote electrolytic reactions.
This natural resource provides numerous benefits that have made it an integral part of the world’s economy and culture for thousands of years. While too much salt can be harmful to health, moderate consumption can make meals more enjoyable while serving beneficial industrial purposes with minimal environmental impact.
Given the complex and diverse array of flavours that can be created by different types of cheese, butter, honey, jam, olive oil, and salt, it is perhaps no surprise that these ingredients are some of the most commonly used in cooking. While each ingredient has its own distinct taste, they also work together to create a myriad of delicious flavours.
Thus, if you are looking to add a bit of flavour to your dishes, consider using one or more of these key ingredients.
If you need more support why not contact performance nutritionist Danny Webber
Image by estelle heitz from Pixabay
