Cooking Basics

Olive oil is a healthier alternative to vegetable oil when cooking your favorite meals. You can cook most foods with olive oil and still have it taste good. Olive oil can be used as a additive to...

Clams are a type of mollusk that is often served as food when boiled or fried. Clam juice is a liquid derived from clams used in some recipes.

When prepared properly, salmon is a light, flaky fish with little to no "fishy" flavor. Further, salmon is a healthy choice: it is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It can be prepared...

Pectin is a water-soluble carbohydrate that occurs naturally in most ripe fruits and some vegetables. Pectin is used as a thickening or jelling agent in many types of foods, such as jams, fruit...

Pasta comes in a variety of shapes and colors. The wide variety of pastas includes spaghetti, vermicelli, fettuccini, macaroni, rigatoni, noodles and won tons. In Italian, pasta means paste. The...

The main meats---beef, poultry, pork and fish---can be dangerous if they aren't properly cooked. Each meat has a different cooking standard based on how you're preparing it and what parts you're...

A whole beef shoulder is a section of the cow that consists of the upper front legs and the muscular connection through the chest. Whole beef shoulders are not commercially available but are...

Walnut oil is a specialty oil that is best used on salads, desserts and pasta. It is known for its rich flavor and for being sensitive to heat. When walnut oil is heated it can take on a bitter...

Sausage grinders can be made out of turkey, pork, beef, or a combination of the three. Two staple ingredients in sausage grinders are green peppers and onions. You will need to cook the green...

Homemade, oven-baked cookies make a quick and satisfying dessert or snack. Electric ovens provide dry, uniform heat ideal for turning out evenly baked, golden brown cookies. Cookie-baking basics...

Smoking fish is the popular tradition of imparting a smoky flavor to a fresh catch. Without canning, your smoked fish is safe to eat for only two weeks before it starts growing the harmful...

Raw peanuts are often referred to as green peanuts. They are peanuts that have not yet been removed from their shells. Peanuts make an excellent snack because they are rich in protein, vitamin E,...

Try making your own meatballs with cornmeal, instead of buying them frozen at your local grocery store. Cornmeal helps retain moisture in the meatballs, and creates a crisp texture. There are many...

Canola oil is good for high-heat cooking and applications where a mild oil flavor is necessary. It is low in saturated fat and has a high smoke point.

When you're making deviled eggs or using slices of hard boiled eggs as garnish, it is especially important to prepare eggs that are easy to peel. If not, chunks of the egg may come off with the...

Eggplants often develops brown spots when you cut into the vegetable to prepare it for cooking. It discolors quickly so cut it just before using for cooking. When buying eggplants avoid ones with...

Pathogens that cause black rot or cankers can infest citrus fruits. Oranges, grapefruit and limes produced in areas, such as in Florida or in Mexico, that have a pathogen infestation need careful...

Pork comes from pigs and is sold in grocery stores, butcher shops and farmers markets. Many different cuts of pork come from the pig. They have varying flavors and uses.

Fennel is a plant that was prized by the ancient Greeks, who called it marathon and named a battlefield after it. This plant's popularity has spread across the world. Today, it's a popular...

Many people enjoy cooking with peppers and adding the variety of spice levels to food. Whether you're adding peppers or chilies to a main dish or featuring them, as in stuffed bell peppers or...

The boysenberry has a sweet, rich flavor and is a hybrid of a blackberry and a loganberry or red raspberry. It's ideal for canning to preserve the flavors throughout the year. This large,...

Eggs are nutritious. They can be enjoyed as a main dish, in salads, or as a snack. Eggs are an important ingredient in many recipes. They are convenient, easy to prepare, inexpensive and portable...

Some eggs can be stored safely in a freezer if the proper preparation method is used. Stored eggs should always be defrosted in a refrigerator before using. Defrosting eggs in a refrigerator will...

To thinly slice an onion, first peal off the outer skin and then cut the onion in half. Determine the best way to thinly slice an onion with guidance from a certified executive chef in this free...

To prevent bacteria from getting on your cutting boards, it's important to use bleach, as well as cleaning them in a dishwasher, if available. Avoid having bacteria grow on your cutting board with...

When taking care of a cutting board, it's recommended to use one board for cooked foods and another for raw foods. Discover how to take care of your cutting board with advice from a certified...

Avocados are simple to cut using a knife and a spoon. Cut your avocados properly with help from a certified executive chef in this free video on cutting food.

Cutting fruit arrangements works great with cookie cutters. Find out the best way to cut fruit arrangements with tips from a certified executive chef in this free video on food arrangements.

To julienne meat means to cut the meat into very thin slices. Learn how to julienne meat with help from a certified executive chef in this free video on cutting food.

Styrofoam is an easily molded material used to make a variety of products, including food containers, plates and cups. Although Styrofoam has a different appearance and texture, it is actually a...

When cooking, and especially when baking, precisely measuring ingredients is an important key to a successful outcome. Depending on the tools you have on hand, there are several methods to measure...

Few things are better than a freshly cooked Northern Pike, but those Y-bones can be a challenge to remove. Luckily, you have a few methods to choose from. With a few simple tools, it won't be long...

Stock, broth and bullion are closely related kitchen staples; the flavor and consistency of each product, however, can vary significantly depending on how it is prepared. Because certain recipes...

Currants are berries that grow in grape-like bunches. Given its similar appearance to raisins, the fruit's name is derived from the Greek word for small, dried grapes. Currant jelly is common in...

Measuring liquids is an important part of cooking and baking. Especially with baking, exact amounts are very important for the recipe to come out right. There are many ways you can measure...

Boiling water is a common practice used to killed parasites and pathogens. It is disputed how long water must be boiled to kill everything. According to the Wilderness Medical Society, when water...

Steak lovers may prefer dry-aged beef over regular beef cuts because of its tenderness and deep flavor, but this type of beef can be very costly. Beef is mainly dry-aged by a butcher in large...

The red snapper fish is a culinary delight that can be consumed in various forms. However, cleaning the fish is vital so you can enjoy its delicate flavor and moist form without worrying about...

Injecting meat is an alternative to traditional marinating methods that involve soaking the meat for long periods of time. These traditional methods usually only penetrate the meat to a depth of...

Carefully choosing your cooking oil will improve your cooking results, the meal's taste and your health. Having several oils handy, if properly stored, will also save time and money. Use the steps...

A protein-rich diet can lead to strong muscles and higher energy levels. It is fairly simple to prepare foods that are rich in protein. While some foods that contain protein, like nuts, can be...

Creating a survival kit for your family is a fantastic way to make sure you are ready for any type of disaster or emergency that may strike. Most survival kits typically include water, canned...

The ability to freeze spinach dips depends on the ingredients used. Most spinach dips are dairy-based, which would make freezing and thawing problematic. For example, a cream cheese-based dip,...

These days people are trying to pack more and more into their lives. The more activities that find their way onto your calendar, the less time you have for things like cooking. A menu plan can...

Cookies come in many different varieties, so the cooking time and preparation may change depending on their shape, size and ingredients. But one thing stays the same: It's almost always best to...

Using a food thermometer to ensure your meat, fish or leftovers are cooked enough to be eaten safely is good practice for a any cook. Professional cooks rely on their thermometers as a common...

To grill is to cook on an open grid over a heat source. The most convenient method of grilling is to use a gas grill, which avoids the laborious tasks of generating heat by other means such as...

Miracle fruit is a kind of berry that is known for changing the way taste buds perceive sour foods. For around an hour after eating miracle fruit, taste buds perceive any sour food, including...

Food preparation safety practices ensure that you avoid injury to yourself from hot surfaces and avoid contaminating food as you prepare it. Thorough cooking, safe hygiene practices and...

For those who cannot or do not want to drink cow's milk, soy milk provides an alternative for cooking and baking. When compared in a blind tasting against cow's milk, soy milk alters the final...