food preparation | Food Readme

Can You Microwave Cardboard Safely? Practical Tips Explained

September 8, 2024Ricardo Davis

– Microwave-safe cardboard can be microwaved for short periods of time (60-120 seconds) on a low power setting.
– It is important to check the container for any glue, ink, or lining, as these may release chemicals into the food.
– Pizza boxes can be microwaved as long as they are microwave-safe and have no plastic or metal components. They should be microwaved for less than a minute.
– Cardboard with metal handles or adhesive should not be microwaved.
– It is recommended to transfer food to a microwave-safe container if longer reheating is needed.

Lard vs Shortening: Decoding the Health and Culinary Myths

September 7, 2024Ricardo Davis

– Lard is made from melted pork fat and can be rendered, leaf, or processed.
– Lard has a creamy white color and semi-soft texture.
– Lard melts at temperatures between 95°F to 115°F.
– Processed lard, also known as hydrogenated lard, is shelf stable and solid with a slightly porky flavor and scent.
– Leaf lard, made from the visceral fat around the pig’s kidneys, has a neutral flavor and is favored for creating a flaky and delicate dough.
– Bacon grease is not the same as lard and is better suited for savory preparations.
– Shortening is made from hydrogenated vegetable oils.
– Shortening was popularized by Procter & Gamble in 1911 with the creation of Crisco.
– Shortening is made from soybean, cottonseed, palm oil, or a combination.
– Shortening is 100% fat and comes in four types: solid, liquid, all-purpose, and cake.
– Shortening does not require refrigeration and is shelf stable.
– Margarine is made from vegetable oil and contains unsaturated fat.
– Butter adds moisture, richness, and flavor to baked goods.
– Butter contains 80% fat and can be used interchangeably with margarine.
– Home cooks often combine butter with lard or shortening for a flaky crust with rich flavor.

Can You Use a Blender as a Food Processor? Understanding the Differences for Optimal Kitchen Efficiency

September 6, 2024Ricardo Davis

– Can you use a blender as a substitute for a food processor?
– Differences between blenders and food processors
– The shapes and functions of blenders and food processors
– Foods that are best made in a food processor
– Functions that blenders can perform
– Factors to consider when buying a blender (size, speed, power, attachments, and price)
– Factors to consider when buying a food processor (capacity, functions, attachments, and price)
– The versatility of blenders in the kitchen
– The prevalence of blenders in households
– Comparison of blades in blenders and food processors
– Tasks that blenders are better suited for (smoothies, soups, milkshakes)
– Tasks that food processors are better suited for (doughs, slicing, grinding)
– The option of a hybrid blender and food processor appliance (Nutribullet Magic Bullet Kitchen Express)
– Comparison of lid features in blenders and food processors

Bacon Cooker: Unleashing Delicious Flavors and Healthier Options

September 2, 2024Ricardo Davis

– bacon cooker product
– does not come with instructions
– flat with a flat thing on top, with an arrow visible
– arrow needs to be turned
– sticks need to be removed from under the arrow
– flat thing starts to come up when yanked on
– washing the product
– hanging bacon over the sticks and placing a paper towel on top
– no information on how long to cook bacon
– frustration about lack of directions
– assumption that inventor or producer knew how to use the product well
– difficulties figuring out how to open the product and how long to cook bacon
– first attempt with the product resulted in bacon being stuck folded over
– making BLT sandwiches is a little difficult
– testing of microwave bacon cookers in 2021
– top picks: Presto – Power Crisp and Nordic Ware 2-Sided Bacon and Meat Grill
– Presto – Power Crisp can hold up to 12 slices of bacon, cooks into a V-shape, recommended to cook for five minutes, allows bacon fat to drip off into a cool-to-the-touch tray
– Nordic Ware 2-Sided Bacon and Meat Grill is made of heavy-duty BPA-free and melamine-free plastic, has a ridged side for cooking bacon and meats and a smooth side for pizza and nachos, can hold four pieces of bacon, cooks bacon in about one minute per slice, visually appetizing bacon with good texture and minimal grease, easy to clean with sponge and sudsy water, requires potholders to remove from microwave

Cooking Spoon: An Essential Tool for Every Kitchen

August 31, 2024Ricardo Davis

List of Cooking Spoons:

1. Wooden Cooking Spoon
2. Bamboo Cooking Spoon
3. Silicone Cooking Spoon
4. Stainless Steel Cooking Spoon
5. Nylon Cooking Spoon
6. Slotted Cooking Spoon
7. Solid Cooking Spoon
8. Angled Cooking Spoon
9. Perforated Cooking Spoon
10. Long-Handled Cooking Spoon
11. Short-Handled Cooking Spoon
12. Flat Cooking Spoon
13. Deep-Ladle Cooking Spoon
14. Serving Cooking Spoon
15. Mixing Cooking Spoon
16. Tasting Cooking Spoon
17. Soup Ladle Cooking Spoon
18. Skimmer Cooking Spoon
19. Pasta Server Cooking Spoon
20. Slotted Spatula Spoon

The Meal Prep Manual: Simplify Your Cooking Routine!

August 26, 2024Ricardo Davis

List:
1. “Meal prep manual”
2. Recipe
3. Estimates
4. Calorie
5. Macronutrient
6. Totals
7. MyFitnessPal
8. Weights
9. Meat
10. Vegetables
11. Brands
12. Ingredients
13. Precise values
14. Individuals
15. Close enough
16. Approximate values

How to Freeze Kale: Preserve Nutrients for Longer

July 22, 2024Ricardo Davis

– Freezing kale without blanching may cause bitterness due to ripening enzymes in the leaves
– Unblanched kale can be used in stews and soups where bitterness can be overpowered
– Blanching kale leaves for 2.5 minutes and stems for 3 minutes is recommended for longer freezing time (8-12 months)
– After blanching, place leaves and stems in ice water for the same amount of time
– Dry blanched kale leaves by placing them on a towel, rolling it up, and squeezing out excess water
– Quick-freeze small clumps of kale individually on a cookie sheet before transferring to freezer bags
– Remove air from the bags before sealing
– Alternatively, place blanched and dried kale into individual packages prior to freezing
– Choose the right size freezer bag for serving-size portions and remove as much air as possible
– Frozen kale can be used in smoothies, sauteed with seasoned rice vinegar or garlic, added to quiches, stews, and soups, or used to make pesto.

How to Wash Grapes to Ensure Safe Consumption: Essential Steps and Tips

July 19, 2024Ricardo Davis

– Grapes belong to the Dirty Dozen, a list of produce with high levels of pesticides
– The Environmental Working Group recommends buying organic grapes, but they can be expensive
– Washing grapes adds moisture and can cause them to decompose faster
– It’s best to only wash grapes that you plan to eat right away or in the near future
– The waxy white film on grapes, called the bloom, helps keep them fresh
– To wash grapes, empty them into a colander and rinse with cool water, moving them around to clean all sides
– If desired, sprinkle a little baking soda and/or salt on the grapes and gently scrub to remove the bloom
– Rinse off the baking soda and/or salt with cool water and dry the grapes with a dish towel or paper towel
– Excess moisture can lead to faster spoiling, so let the grapes dry completely after washing
– Grapes should be stored in a ventilated bag in the refrigerator to help preserve them for up to three weeks.
– It is best not to wash grapes until right before eating to avoid moldy or inedible grapes.
– Unwashed grapes can harbor viruses and bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.

How to tell if pumpkin pie is done: essential tips for perfect results

June 10, 2024Ricardo Davis

– Use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be between 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit
– Gently shake the pie, and if the center jiggles slightly but the outer edges are set, it is done
– The crust should be golden brown
– Baking time for a pumpkin pie is typically around 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit
– Avoid overbaking the pie to prevent a cracked top and rubbery texture
– Three tests to determine doneness: the knife test, the instant-read thermometer test, and the jiggle test
– The knife test involves inserting a knife into the center of the pie, and if it comes out clean, the pie is done
– The instant-read thermometer test recommends checking that the internal temperature of the pie reaches at least 180°F
– The jiggle test involves gently shaking the pie, and if it jiggles slightly in the center without being liquidy, it is done
– Tips on avoiding cracks in the pie when testing for doneness such as not overcooking, watching for small bubbles in the filling around the edges, and ensuring the filling doesn’t separate from the crust
– Do not overbrown the edges of the pie pastry
– Cool the pie according to recipe instructions
– Other creative takes on pumpkin pie to try during the fall and winter holidays.

Lemon Zester: Unleashing Citrus Flavor with Professional Techniques

April 21, 2024Ricardo Davis

– Microplane
– Citrus zester
– Vegetable peeler
– Box grater
– Knife
– Lemon zest
– Baked goods
– Yogurt
– Salad dressings
– Pasta
– Pan sauces
– Aiolis
– Washing the lemon
– Medium-sized lemon
– 1 tablespoon
– Finer zest
– Longer ribbons
– Smallest holes
– Sharp tool
– Bitter white pith
– 24 hours
– Refrigerated
– Zip-top plastic bag
– Airtight container
– Plastic wrap
– Outermost peel
– Technique
– Recipes
– Avoid the pith
– Best flavor

Tag: food preparation