Posts

Does Salt Dissolve in Vinegar?
By Luong Tan
Tips & Troubleshooting, ,

Does Salt Dissolve in Vinegar?

Although not as common as water, vinegar is one of the most commonly used products globally, with apple cider vinegar being one of the most widely marketed vinegars in the United States. It has long been used in many countries to prepare, cook, and preserve certain foods. Vinegar is a dilute solution of acetic acid in water; hence, it is slightly acidic. The acidity (low pH) has made it helpful in preserving various foods like meat and meat products, fish and fish products, fruits, and pickling vegetables. Conversely, salt is an essential cooking ingredient, and just like vinegar, it is…
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How to Fix Undercooked Pasta – A Step-By-Step Guide
By Luong Tan
Rice & Grain Guides,

How to Fix Undercooked Pasta – A Step-By-Step Guide

Italians believe that the proper way to make a bowl of pasta is to cook it 'Al dente,' which means that the pasta will be firm and not wholly soft when cooked. However, not everyone subscribes to this idea. Some people love their pasta soft, and that's fine. If you're one of those who'd rather have a bowl of soft pasta than one that is 'al dente,' you might freak out when your pasta isn't soft enough. Even though there is not much you can do to fix overcooked pasta, we can give you some tips on how to fix…
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What Is Double Cream in The USA – The US Equivalent
By Luong Tan
Food Science, ,

What Is Double Cream in The USA – The US Equivalent

When reading recipes from UK-based chefs, you have come across "double cream." We don't get to see much of that in the US, though, do we? So, what is double cream in the USA? Today, we'll tell you about the US equivalent of double cream. We'll also talk about other creams and how you can use them. Stay tuned! What is double cream in the USA? What the British call Double Cream is known in the US as heavy cream or heavy whipping cream. However, there is a slight difference in the fat percentages. Double cream comes with about 48%…
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What Is A Yeast Cake and How Do You Make It?
By Luong Tan
Baking Guides,

What Is A Yeast Cake and How Do You Make It?

If you love baking as much as we do, you have probably heard about yeast being used as a leavening agent for some of our favorite bread recipes. So, what's all this talk about yeast cake? Trust us, we were just as surprised when we heard it, and that's precisely why we are here to demystify this concept for you. So, what is a yeast cake? How is it made? Stick around to find out. What is a yeast cake? Often called cake yeast or baker's yeast, yeast cake is usually a tiny piece of cake made from a mix…
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Is Wasabi Spicy? Why and how spicy is it?
By Luong Tan
Pantry Guides, ,

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…
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What is table cream, and what is it used for?
By Luong Tan
Food Science, Pantry Guides, , ,

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.…
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Is Butter Chicken Spicy? Why and how do you make it?
By Luong Tan
Chicken Guides,

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.…
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What Do Artichoke Hearts Taste Like?
By Luong Tan
Taste Tests,

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…
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Can I Use Vegetable Oil Instead of Olive Oil?
By Luong Tan
Vegetable Guides,

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…
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Why Are Green Apples Sour?
By Luong Tan
Food Guides,

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…
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How Can I Make a Puree Without a Blender? —Tips for Baby Food, Strawberry, and Tomatoes
By Luong Tan
Tips & Troubleshooting, , ,

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…
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How to Season Cast Iron Without Oven
By Luong Tan
Techniques, , ,

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…
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