Truffle oil was once considered an exotic ingredient and used mainly by professional chefs. Today, it has become a common item in kitchens worldwide and comes in several varieties. Truffle oil comes highly recommended because it adds flavor and a great aroma to meals. It is also one of the healthier oils on the market…
Ingredients
What is Filet Mignon?
You’ve probably heard it being mentioned on cooking shows and by Michelin star chefs and thought “what is filet mignon”? Filet mignon is an extremely tender piece of beef. It is this tenderness that makes it the most sought after piece of steak in the world. Cooking filet mignon at home is very simple, as…
What is a quiche?
A quiche is one of the most featured foods in cookbooks and restaurant menus around the world. It is a hearty, rich dish that can be made in many different ways. Easy to prepare and very filling, you can make one effortlessly at home with a few of your favorite ingredients. Whether you’re vegetarian or…
What is Tapioca?
Tapioca is a well-known starch that is taken from a plant called cassava. Because of its chewy, gel-like consistency, it can be used in many recipes as a substitute for gluten. The cassava plant is widely consumed only in Africa and South America, while the rest of the world uses this plant exclusively for its…
What is Mascarpone Cheese?
If you’re not sure what mascarpone cheese is, you might be surprised to know you’ve eaten it more often than you think. It is the creamy, smooth cheese you find in cheese cakes and Tiramisu. Its rich taste has been a favorite of pastry chefs for decades, but now you can make it at home…
What are Cashews?
While some experts argue it is a nut, others believe it is actually a seed. However, all do agree that cashews are very healthy snacks everyone should take up as part of their diet. It is not certain whether people who are allergic to nuts experience the same reaction to cashews. If you’re lucky enough…
What is Brie?
Most avid cooks are familiar with what Brie is, but others might not be aware that it refers to one of the most famous cheeses in the world. Coined “The Queen of Cheeses”, it is a well-known cheese that is consumed the world over. This pale, soft cheese is used in numerous desserts and is…
What is Tempeh?
Tempeh is a food that has been enjoyed in Asia for centuries. In recent years, it has made its way to countries around the world. It is best known as a vegetarian food option and a great alternative to tofu. It can be prepared in a number ways and seasoned to your liking. Whichever brand…
What is quinoa?
Some call it a grain and others say it is actually a seed. It is considered to be one of the healthiest foods you can add to your diet. It is believed to contain plenty of minerals, vitamins and fiber. Low in calories, it is safe for weight watchers to consume daily without exceeding their…
What is clarified butter?
When the question “what is clarified butter?” is asked, it is not uncommon for people to give contrasting answers. Some call it “nutty” butter, while others say it is “drawn” butter. In other parts of the world, it is known as ghee. While all these answers are true, there are slight variations to each one….
What is Hummus?
So, what is hummus anyway? These days, it is almost impossible to find a menu without hummus as an option. From its humble beginnings as a Middle-Eastern delicacy, it has flourished into a billion dollar industry. You can use in sandwiches, pitas and even burgers. It is predicted it will replace mayonnaise as the healthier…
What is the difference between feta cheese and goat cheese?
There is a common misconception that feta cheese is a type of goat cheese. This is not true. However, a closer look at the sources of the milk used to produce these cheeses shows why many can assume that. Feta cheese and goat cheese differ from composition right down to taste. Both are delicious and…
What is a truffle?
Well-known as a delicacy for the wealthy, truffles are flavorful mushrooms that are commonly harvested in Europe, Asia and parts of Africa. They are a rare commodity that can be found on plates around the world. Difficult to grow and even harder to harvest, they require specialized care. Although they have long been considered a…
More buttermilk substitute suggestions
Finding a great buttermilk substitute has been the headache of casual and professional cooks alike. Because buttermilk can sometimes be challenging to find and store, it is wise to learn how to create a replacement that can match its texture and flavor. With just two or three ingredients, you can make a worthy buttermilk substitute…
What can be used as a shortening substitute?
Shortening is often mistaken for a process in baking. It actually refers to a type of fat that you can mix into dough to make the crust of pies, tarts and other baked goods crumblier and softer. Although it sounds irreplaceable, there are a few products you can use as shortening substitute. Bakers want to…
What is a good substitute for baking soda?
Baking soda is on almost every list of baking ingredients. It is a mysterious and volatile white powder. Many people have no clue how it is made and only a few know it can be mined directly from the earth. You probably still have the packet you bought from a decade ago because recipes only…
What are the ingredients of butter?
Many nutrition experts are on the fence about who should eat butter and who shouldn’t. It is often mistaken by people for margarine, which only adds to the confusion. There are also differences between butter made at home and the types available in grocery stores. The best way to answer all the questions you have…
What is Shortening?
If you like baking your own treats at home, you might have stumbled upon some recipes and asked yourself “what is shortening?” The chemical process involved is a nightmare to understand. It’s usually explained in a string of scientific terms. It is basically a type of fat added to dough to make baked goods softer…
What is Sriracha sauce?
Sriracha sauce, pronounced seer-RHA-shah, is basically a hot sauce … with a twist. Although it is only making waves across the world in recent years, it has been in existence since the 1980s. The recipe of this sauce was created by David Tran, an American immigrant from Vietnam. Because he didn’t enjoy the taste of…
What is a substitute for buttermilk?
Whether you own a bakery or you’re trying your hand at baking, you are likely to run into recipes that require buttermilk. If you don’t have it or you simply want to omit it because of health reasons, you can always use a buttermilk substitute. Most bakers don’t want to replace buttermilk because it contains…
The Difference Between Potato Flour and Potato Starch
The dissimilarity between potato starch and flour seems to be an unending debate. While the two seem to be closely the same because they both come from potatoes, there are some aspects which have to be noted carefully. Inability to separate one from the other is particularly important especially when it is used as an…
What Is Bran?
Have you ever paused for a while and asked, what is bran? How come this is recommended by nutritionists and fitness experts? How can this help you improve your overall health? Technically, bran refers to the outer covering of grain products such as wheat, oats, rice and other types of grains. Yes, this has to…
What Is Arugula?
A lot of people are unaware of what arugula is. Even those who frequently indulge in fresh salad are sometimes oblivious that arugula is already included in what they are eating. What is arugula? Arugula is a type of herb which has a rich green color. This is also known to belong in the same…
What is the Difference Between Jam and Jelly?
Have you also been asking, what is the difference between jam and jelly? Well, you are not alone because others are baffled by this question too. Maybe, the best way to deal with this is to answer first if there really is a difference between the two. Yes, there is a big distinction between jam…