Building Healthy Cooking Habits
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living
eggersmann’s custom designs with its innovative and diverse product lines blur the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces. Seamless transitions from luxury interior to exterior spaces invite homeowners to embrace nature in their daily routines.
Outdoor kitchens provide opportunities to grill fresh fish, roast vegetables, bake bread in pizza ovens, or simmer foods with pungent odors on a cooktop without hoping the hood vent can keep up. Prepping and cooking outdoors is extra convenient if you have nearby herb gardens or raised beds full of veggies. Incorporating nature into their kitchens, families are inspired to eat seasonally and locally—choices that benefit their health and the environment.
This integration of design, technology, and lifestyle not only enhances the cooking experience but also supports long-term wellness goals for individuals and families.
Private Chef & Luxury Appliance Expert Weighs In
We chatted with Chef Robbie Rensel, private dining and luxury appliance chef and founder and principal of Savory Celebrations in Houston, Texas. Chef Robbie is a frequent visitor in our Houston showroom as his multiple talents of event management, hosting, and concierge services for luxury kitchen and dining room outfitting and homeowner education, make him a welcome guest at our showroom and in many of our clients’ homes.
We asked him some questions about easier ways to build healthy eating habits based on successes he has seen with his clients.
Q: What are some of your favorite healthy cooking techniques that preserve nutrients and enhance flavor?
Steaming
Steaming is one of the simplest and healthiest ways to cook. It requires no added fats and preserves the natural vitamins and minerals in foods like vegetables and seafood. Steaming also keeps the vibrant colors and textures intact, making your dishes both nutritious and visually appealing.
Steaming in a pot on a cooktop or using a newer technology such as a countertop steaming appliance or a steam oven which makes this technique even more convenient.
Convection Roasting
Roasting is perfect for bringing out the natural sweetness in vegetables and proteins. A light drizzle of olive oil and salt allows the ingredients to caramelize, enhancing their flavors without overwhelming them. It’s versatile and quick——you can roast everything from carrots and sweet potatoes to chicken and salmon. Using high heat required to roast helps lock in moisture while adding depth and richness to the dish.
Sous Vide
Sous vide involves vacuum-sealing ingredients and cooking them in a water bath at a precise temperature. This low-temperature, long-time cooking method locks in nutrients and moisture while giving you consistent, tender results every time. It’s especially great for lean proteins like chicken or fish, which can easily dry out with other methods. Plus, it allows you to focus on other tasks while the food cooks perfectly on its own.
Q: How can a well-designed kitchen—indoor or outdoor—help inspire healthier cooking habits?
Ample Counter Space
Having enough counter space to provide room for multiple tasks like setting out all your ingredients, chopping vegetables, assembling meals, or setting up appliances, all of which make cooking more approachable. And it saves time as you don’t have to clean up prep areas before continuing with cooking or storing your meals for the week. Any time you can make it simpler and save time, you will do it more often.
Smart Storage
A well-designed kitchen includes storage solutions that make fresh produce and healthy staples easy to access. Features like pull-out pantry shelves, spice racks, and dedicated produce drawers help you keep healthy ingredients visible and top of mind. Not having to search for the whisk or a specific size of pan saves time and frustration. When the kitchen is organized, you’re more likely to cook at home and avoid less-healthy convenience foods.
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- boxtec in Smoked Oak and aluminum spice storage, rolling pin and adjustable dividers
Indoor Features
Appliances like steam ovens, induction cooktops, or even built-in prep sinks streamline healthy cooking. For example, a steam oven encourages you to use nutrient-preserving methods, while an induction cooktop provides precise temperature control for better cooking results. And a multi-feature prep sink keeps the mess where it is easiest to clean up…in or near the sink.
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- Modern Dallas project with Toledo Graphite and Chablis Bartop, mixed with Modena Pearl White. designed by Kegan Wilson
Outdoor Features
Well-equipped outdoor kitchens make healthy cooking fun and easy. A grill is perfect for lean proteins and flavor-enhanced vegetables. Outdoor sinks or refrigeration keep fresh ingredients and cleanup nearby making grilling faster and easier. These features make it more convenient to prepare fresh, simple meals while enjoying time outdoors.
Beyond grilling, there are so many options in outdoor kitchens that can help you create beautiful meals without being stuck inside. From gas burner and induction cooktops to pizza ovens, the more functionality an outdoor kitchen has, the more likely you will be using it and the more likely healthy cooking with be your choice.
Q: What appliances or features do you consider essential for preparing fresh, wholesome meals?
Steam Oven
A steam oven is one of the most versatile tools for healthy cooking. It locks in nutrients, preserves natural moisture, and enhances the flavors of vegetables, fish, and even baked goods. It’s perfect for cooking lean proteins without drying them out and for reheating leftovers without sacrificing quality.
Induction Cooktop
An induction cooktop is a must-have for precise and efficient cooking. It heats quickly and evenly, perfect to sauté vegetables or simmer delicate sauces with ease. Induction cooking maintains consistent low or high temperatures which help you cook with less oil and with more control, ensuring healthier results and better success when trying new recipes or techniques.
Convection Oven
A convection oven takes traditional baking and roasting to the next level. Its circulating hot air cooks food more evenly and faster. It is the ideal appliance for roasting vegetables, baking whole grains, or cooking lean proteins. It’s an excellent tool for creating crispy textures without excess oil, making it a staple for healthier cooking.
Smart Refrigerator
A refrigerator with advanced temperature control keeps fresh ingredients at their peak longer. Features like separate produce drawers and humidity control ensure your fruits and vegetables stay crisp and nutrient-rich.
Q: How do you incorporate seasonal or locally sourced ingredients into your cooking?
Simple, Seasonal Recipes
Seasonal ingredients shine when they’re prepared simply. In summer, I focus on vibrant salads, grilled vegetables, and fresh herbs. In fall, I lean into roasted root vegetables, hearty soups, and slow-cooked meals.
Supporting Sustainability
Using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients reduces the environmental impact of your meals while also supporting local farmers and businesses. It’s a win-win for your health and your community and it tastes great!
Natural Flavor Boost
Seasonal ingredients that have not traveled thousands of miles to reach your kitchen are at their peak in flavor and nutrition. You don’t need heavy sauces or extra seasonings to make them taste incredible. This approach naturally leads to healthier, more flavorful meals.
Q: What advice can you offer someone looking to balance a busy lifestyle with cooking nutritious meals at home?
Plan-ahead meal planning is key. Choose a few meals for the week. Prepare what you can in advance such as:
- Wash and chop vegetables putting them in single serving containers or in bags ready to throw in a recipe.
- Marinate proteins giving them plenty of time to soak up flavors.
- Prepare larger batches of your favorites so you have leftovers for lunches or quick dinners. (Tips: Choose recipes that freeze well such as soups, stews, and casseroles that reheat beautifully and are easy to make in bulk as this helps you build up a few home-cooked meals you can pull out when the unexpected time crunch happens that might send you to the pizza order or fast-food window. )
- Cook grains like rice or quinoa so they will be ready for your meals during the week.
These time-saving steps will help you stay on the path you want to be on, building a routine to keep healthy, fresh meals in your life.
Other ways to streamline healthy cooking is to select simple recipes with just a few ingredients with seasonings you have on hand. Stir-fries, sheet pan meals, and grain bowls are quick to prepare and easy to customize based on what you have on hand.
And remember that mindset is everything. Shift your perspective from cooking being a chore to it being a form of self-care—a way to nourish your body and unwind after a busy day.
Starting small, with just one or two meals a week, can make a big difference over time and will encourage you to stay with it and build on success.
