Monday, April 29

Author: Faya

Seasoning An Oven
Kitchenware

Seasoning An Oven

Untreated cast iron rusts, especially around water. To prevent metal from oxidising in the presence of moisture, cast iron requires a process called seasoning. Seasoning is simply the procedure of baking oil into the oven's pores, and on top of the iron pores. This baked on coating will darken and eventually turn black with age. Darkening is the sign of a well kept oven, and of it's use. This coating forms a barrier between moisture in the air and the surface of the metal. It also provides a non-stick coating on the inside of the oven that is easy to clean. Here are some tips when it comes time to season your Dutch oven. Scrub lid and dutch oven in hot water with a mild soap to take off the coating the manufacture puts on the oven before shipping. Use a stiff brush, 3M scrub pad, or ...
What is Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder?
Ingredients Insight

What is Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder?

Chocolate is made by crushing roasted cocoa beans into bits or nibs, to produce what is known as chocolate liquor. To make unsweetened cocoa powder, much of the cocoa butter (the fat of chocolate) is removed from the liquor and what remains is ground. Dutch processed cocoa, or alkalized cocoa, has a mild flavor and a rich, dark color due to the addition of potassium carbonate. Non-alkalized cocoa has a bolder taste and lighter color. Dutch processed cocoa reacts with the baking soda in devil's food cake batter to give the cake its distinctive reddish brown color.
Tips Adding Eggs to Cake Batter
Baking Tips

Tips Adding Eggs to Cake Batter

One of the secrets to making a good cake is blending the eggs well into the batter. You have to start with room temperature eggs. If the eggs are cold, the batter will separate, resulting in a heavier cake. Do not add the eggs directly to the mixer bowl. Instead, crack them into a separate bowl then break them up with the fork, and with the mixer on medium speed, drizzle them in slowly, stopping frequently to let the batter absorb them. If the batter begins to look curdled, increase the mixer speed to high and beat until the batter looks smooth again.
Cupcake Tips
Cupcakes

Cupcake Tips

Quick tips for easy cupcakes : 1. For an easy topping, use whipped cream as frosting on your cupcakes. 2. To add a quick filling, cut a small cone shape from the top of the cupcake and fill it with marshmallow creme. Then, cut off the pointed end of the cone and replace the cone over the filling. It's a fun alternative to frosting and can be easily packed in lunches. 3. Cake flour produces lighter cupcakes. If a recipe uses cake flour and you don't have any, use 1 cup all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons for each cup of cake flour called for in the recipe. 4. To dress up cupcake batter, try adding flavored chips of your choice such as peanut butter, swirled, raspberry, vanilla or chocolate. 5. If your frosting is soft and fluffy, simply dip the cupcake tops in the frosting ...
Tips

How to Keep Clean Food Fresher Longer

After you've stocked up on healthy fare, you're going to want to make sure it lasts. Here are few tips for keeping your clean food fresher longer : 1. Stock up on glass containers in all sizes and shapes. 2. Store oats, rice, dried legumes and baking supplies in labeled, air tight glass containers. 3. Keep oils and spices in a cool, dark place. 4. Dont keep leftovers for longer than 3 days. 5. Keep tomatoes on the counter, but separate from bananas. 6. Keep your nuts and seeds in the fridge or freezer to keep them from going rancid. 7. Freeze vegetables and fruit at the peak of their season so you can enjoy them all year long. 8. Make preserves! There's noting better or cleaner than homemade jams, pickles and spreads.
How to Brew Perfect Tea
All About Tea

How to Brew Perfect Tea

Make sure your tea has been properly stored. The best way to store tea is in an airtight container, at a constant temperature, away from light, moisture, and other odors. Once exposed to air, tea leaves quickly lose flavor. Keep bulk teas in a large container, and use a smaller one for daily tea use, so you don’t have to keep opening the large container. Use fresh, cool, oxygenated water. Never use tepid, long-standing, pre-heated or hot tap water. Heat the water and pour it directly over the leaves. (Use about one teaspoon of tea per cup.) For green teas, heat it to the point where bubbles just begin to form. For oolong teas, heat the water until the bubbles start to release and it is beginning to boil. For black tea, allow the water to come to a gentle boil. Steep the tea ...
What is Oatmeal ?
Ingredients Insight

What is Oatmeal ?

You do love oatmeal, right? And by the way, how to decide which type of oats to add to your breakfast in the morning? To have the most benefit of oats you must remember that the less processing the go through the healthier they are. Below are the different types of oats from least to most processed: 1. Groats Groats are minimally processed whole oats with just the outer hull removed. They are quite chewy and need a good soaking before use. Groats also take some time to cook. The groats are loaded with nutrients, try throwing some in your slow cooker! 2. Steel-cut Oats or Scotch Oats These are oat groats that have been chopped into smaller pieces. The steel cut oat is the chewiest form of oatmeal and provides the most textural expreience. This type of oat also does well in the s...
Healthy Nuts
Fruit Wisdom

Healthy Nuts

HEALTHY NUTS Eat nuts such as walnuts, pecans, almonds and various types of seeds (such as pumpkin and sunflower). These are packed with omega-3 and are crucial for your heart, brain, skin, modd and metabolism. Nuts do contain fats, so limit to a one-ounce per serving! CURLY CHOCOLATE If you have trouble making chocolate curls, try using a large milk chocolate bar and shaving the curls with a vegetable peeler.
Benefit of Coffee
Coffee Please

Benefit of Coffee

Coffee is rich in antioxidant and according to the Mayo Clinic, it may help guard against liver cancer, Parkinson's disease and type 2 diabetes. Coffee enjoyed in moderation (about an eight-ounce cup daily) is a delicious and nutritious way to savor life. Beware of coffee flavored with sugary syrups and fatty creams. For example, a 16-ounce starbucks peppermint white chocolate mocha, slams you with 540 calories and packs 80 grams of carbs, 76 of which come from sugar!