Bourbon O Author

Is Wasabi Spicy? Why and how spicy is it?

If you're planning to introduce some Japanese food to your diet, you certainly have heard of Wasabi. I personally love to have it with some sushi. One of the first thoughts that come to anyone's mind if they have never tried Wasabi is how it tastes. Is Wasabi spicy as everyone says it is? How spicy is it on the Scoville scale? How can you make it at home? Here's our verdict. Is Wasabi spicy? Yes, Wasabi is undoubtedly spicy. Wasabi is a famous Japanese delicacy, culturally known as wasabi japonica, often referred to as Japanese horseradish. It has a…

What is table cream, and what is it used for?

By Luong Tan

Food Science, Pantry GuidesCoffee, sour cream, table cream, whipping cream

What is table cream, and what is it used for?

Everyone has heard of heavy cream and whipping cream - you may have even used them once or twice in your recipes. However, it's possible that you might not have any experience with table cream because they aren't popular, leaving you feeling a little stumped, more so if you don't have anything of the sort in your pantry. So, what is table cream, and what is it used for? Well, your confusion ends here. This article contains everything you need to know about table cream. What it is, what table cream is used for, and possible substitutes you can use.…

Is Butter Chicken Spicy? Why and how do you make it?

By Luong Tan

Chicken Guidesbutter chicken, spicy

Is Butter Chicken Spicy? Why and how do you make it?

Ever had some delicious butter chicken? No? Well, it is easy to see the appeal. If you have heard good things from friends, you may want to try it yourself. We think you should, but first, you must know what to expect. Is butter chicken spicy? What is it made of? Keep reading, and we'll tell you all you need to know about making butter chicken and enjoying your meal. Is butter chicken spicy? Well, it's somewhat spicy. But, of course, it depends on how spicy you like your meals. Butter chicken originates from Delhi, dating back to the 1950s.…

By Luong Tan

Taste Testsartichoke hearts, taste

What Do Artichoke Hearts Taste Like?

Despite its fast-rising popularity in the US, a lot about this atypical-looking vegetable remains a mystery to many, from how it looks to its taste. Although quite peculiar-looking, artichoke petals and hearts have neither a unique nor uncommon flavor. So, what do artichoke hearts taste like? Generally, raw artichoke petals have an earthy tone to their flavor, while raw artichoke hearts taste sweet and slightly bitter like asparagus or celery. The flavor, texture, and even the color of artichoke largely depend on whether it is raw or cooked and the method used to cook it. In this post, we will…

Can I Use Vegetable Oil Instead of Olive Oil?

By Luong Tan

Vegetable Guidesolive oil, vegetable oil

Can I Use Vegetable Oil Instead of Olive Oil?

So, can I use vegetable oil instead of olive oil? You can use vegetable oil instead of olive oil. However, olive oil and vegetable oil aren't always interchangeable, depending on the recipe or food and the type of olive oil the recipe uses. Vegetable oil is a well-refined mix of neutral oils. In addition, vegetable oil is known for its high smoke point, making it perfect for frying. Olive oil has two types; extra virgin olive oil and refined olive oil. The extra virgin olive oil variant is less interchangeable with vegetable oil than refined olive oil because it is…

By Luong Tan

Food Guidesgreen apples, sour

Why Are Green Apples Sour?

When you come across green apples, your first thought shouldn’t be that they will taste sour. That’s a common misconception. Not all green apples taste sour. Nevertheless, the reason why some green apples taste sour is because of varying levels of malic acid. Malic acid is the predominant organic acid in apples. This acid accounts for about 90% to 94% of the overall acid content in green apples. Some green apples have a sweet-sour flavor; this is often the result of an interplay between varying levels of acid content and high sugar content. Why are green apples sour? The higher…

How Can I Make a Puree Without a Blender? —Tips for Baby Food, Strawberry, and Tomatoes

By Luong Tan

Tips & Troubleshootingbaby food, blender, mixer, puree

How Can I Make a Puree Without a Blender? —Tips for Baby Food, Strawberry, and Tomatoes

Many people are used to making puree from different fruits and vegetables with blenders. But you don't always need one. In this article, you'll learn how to make a puree without a blender handy. Stick around! Steps to Make a Puree Without A Blender Step 1: Cut the fruit or vegetable into smaller pieces for easier cooking and mashing Step 2: Pass it through a food mill, or press it through a chinois strainer to get your smooth puree. Step 3: You can also use other tools such as a mortar and pestle, food processor, fork and bowl (for baby…

By Luong Tan

Techniquescast iron, cast iron skillet, oven, season

How to Season Cast Iron Without Oven

Cast iron is usually seasoned with an oven, and many people are used to this process. It's a straightforward process that only involves washing the cast iron, drying it with a napkin, applying any type of oil suitable for seasoning a cast iron, and placing it in an oven at a temperature of 375°. After this, you leave it to cool for about an hour and remove it from the oven. You then allow it to cool for a few minutes, and then you have your seasoned cast iron. However, you can also season cast iron without oven and it…

By Luong Tan

Tips & Troubleshootingfrozen pizza, thawed

What Happens If Frozen Pizza Is Thawed?

Nothing out of the ordinary happens when frozen pizza is thawed. The pizza slowly defrosts, gets warmer, and may even reach room temperature during thawing, which of course, is often the intention with thawing. However, it is not advisable to refreeze pizza if it has thawed outside the fridge or at room temperature for over two hours. If you melt pizza in the microwave or cold water, you should cook and eat it immediately after because it'll begin to spoil if you don't. If you thawed the pizza in the refrigerator, it could last for about 3 to 4 days…

How Much Powdered Sugar Is in A Box? – Tips for Measuring Powdered and Confectioners’ Sugar

By Luong Tan

Pantry Guidesbox, confectioners' sugar, Powdered sugar

How Much Powdered Sugar Is in A Box? – Tips for Measuring Powdered and Confectioners’ Sugar

There's often a bit of number-crunching and conversion involved in baking and cooking. If you constantly indulge in recipes that call for powdered sugar or confectioner's sugar, or you want to cater to curiosity, you may question how much powdered sugar a box holds. Knowing this will make your grocery choices for powdered sugar easier. A 1-pound or 16-ounce box of powdered or confectioners sugar holds approximately 3.5 cups of powdered sugar. One significant variable to consider when using powdered sugar is whether your recipe calls for the sifted or unsifted variant. If your recipe demands sifted powdered sugar, you…

By Luong Tan

Cookwaremicrowave safe, oven, plastic

Can You Put Plastic in The Oven?

It would be best not to put plastic containers in the oven. There's no reason why you should put plastic in the oven in the first place because regardless of how low you set your oven temperature, no plastic can withstand such heat. Putting plastic containers in the oven will only result in burnt food and a messy sheet pan. For the most part, there are no oven-friendly plastics. Nonetheless, there's a plastic container usually marketed as oven-safe; it is called CPET (Crystallized Polyethylene Terephthalate). However, with CPET, there's a catch. CPET can only withstand a certain level of heat. …

Raw Chicken in The Fridge for Three Days? Here’s What Happens

By Luong Tan

Chicken Guidesraw chicken

Raw Chicken in The Fridge for Three Days? Here’s What Happens

You know those times where you feel inspired to make a chicken-based meal and you make a quick run to the store, but instead of cooking the chicken, you get caught up in the buzz of something else? It happens to the best of us. Before you know it, you’re left with a bunch of unopened packets of seasoning and packages of raw chicken that you now have to store. Questions begin to spiral in your mind; how long do you leave the chicken in the fridge before it gets bad? How many days are ideal? Keep reading to see…