Editorial Team

21

Jun

Ingredients InsightChocolate, Cocoa Powder

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.

20

Jun

By Editorial Team

Baking TipsEggs

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…

20

Jun

By Editorial Team

CupcakesCake Flour, cupcake, Frosting

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…

19

Jun

By Editorial Team

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.…

18

Jun

By Editorial Team

All About Teatea

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,…

18

Jun

By Editorial Team

Ingredients Insightbreakfast, oatmeal, oats, steel-cut oats

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…

17

Jun

By Editorial Team

Fruit WisdomAlmond, Walnut

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.

17

Jun

By Editorial Team

Ingredients Insightyoghurt

Why Yogurt is Good for You

A cup of yogurt (yoghurt or yoghourt) gives you at least 47.5% of your daily recommended calcium requirement. That's more than the calcium in milk. (more…)

16

Jun

By Editorial Team

Coffee Pleasecoffee

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!

16

Jun

By Editorial Team

Cupcakes

Ganache Glaze and Frosting

This ganache is the darkest, richest and most chocolatey icing. If you use it right away, while it is liquid, you can coat the tops of cupcakes with it for a smooth, shiny, glazed appearance. If you let it rest overnight at a cool room temperature or refrigerate briefly, you can place it in a pastry bag fitted with decorating tip. If you are using this ganache as a fluid glaze and it seems thick, just add a little extra cream, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired texture. Also upon reheating, if the texture of the…