Cooking Techniques

Hemp is a wonderfully versatile and beneficial substance and hemp seeds can be used in cooking and baking to add a nutty flavor to all kinds of sweet and savory dishes. Cooked and strung together,...

Many quick-fix dishes, such as ramen noodles and freeze-dried pasta, come in Styrofoam containers that require you to cook them in the microwave. Because Styrofoam melts easily when exposed to...

Penne pasta, also known as "quills," according to the National Pasta Association, complements a variety of pasta dishes. Because of its sturdy shape, it can hold up to even the heartiest pasta...

TVP, or textured vegetable protein, is a meat substitute made from soybeans and manufactured by the Arthur, Daniel, Midlands Corporation. The granules can be used in any recipe calling for ground...

Molasses is a flavorful sweetener that is a byproduct of sugar cane or sugar beet processing. At one time, molasses was the major sweetener used in the United States. While its popularity has...

Smoked turkey necks add great flavor to soups and stews. Smoked turkey necks are pre-cooked but are not tender enough for eating; boiling is necessary for releasing flavor and eating. Boiled,...

PAH is caused when meat drippings fall onto charcoal or a hot grill element. PAH is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which may cause cancer. Then they are deposited on the food by flame-ups and...

Blanching vegetables is a method of partially cooking vegetables through the plunging of them briefly into boiling water. It can be a way of preserving nutrients so that you can freeze the...

Deviled Eggs is a dish that is used as an excellent side dish. Eggs are such a wonderful staple, and they are used to make several, no many, many dishes. This is my favorite. They can be eaten...

There are several ways to cook rice. The most popular way is the one most prone to complications: boiling water and rice, lowering the heat to a simmer, leaving the rice covered and not opening...

Fresh corn on the cob is in season from May to September, which makes it the perfect side dish for all of your summer parties and holidays. According to Organicfacts.net, corn is rich in...

Food coloring can add a fun, festive visual element to many dishes, but it's best suited for liquids and pastes where the coloring can be mixed in, rather than solid food items. Pasta, however,...

Fried dumplings are a simple and satisfying meal. Making them can be a little tricky, however, as they are easy to burn! Here is how to make fried dumplings that are cooked nicely through and yet...

Save fennel bulbs for up to six months in the freezer for use beyond the harvest season. Carefully seal and store your fennel bulbs to protect their flavor and texture from the elements of your...

We all know what a joy it can be to prepare a fresh duck after a hunt or a trip to obtain one from a farm. It's important to clean and pluck your duck properly before you cook it. Plucking a duck...

The cold-pack method of canning is a popular way to preserve fruits and vegetables at home; canning makes it possible to enjoy these foods fresh throughout the year and to save on the high cost at...

If they follow my recipe and measurements they will never again have sticky, gummy rice. It will turn out perfect every time.

A pot of beans and cornbread on a cold winter night is just the thing. Since many people today work and do not have time to cook beans the traditional way---all day---using a pressure cooker is a...

When you buy jelly in the store, it comes in a variety of sizes. It can be found in half-pint jars, pint jars, and quart jars. When canning your own jelly, most people choose smaller size jars,...

Whether you grow your own fennel in your home garden or picked up more than you can use on a recent trip to the grocery store, freezing your extra fennel is a great and relatively simple way to...

Dried egg whites, also known as powdered egg whites are useful for a few reasons. For those that need to skip the yolk, whether that is because a recipe calls for the omission or a person is...

Peach juice is typically made with the inner portion of a peach, however it is possible to make peach juice with peelings from a peach. If you have peach peelings leftover from canning or making...

Adding salt to water raises the temperature at which the water boils. The more salt that is dissolved in the water, the higher the boiling point. This phenomenon is a result of certain properties...

Using a double boiler to render beeswax ensures the beeswax will not burn, but you don't have to buy a double boiler. You can make your own double boiler from items you probably already have in...

It's hard to think of summer without imagining the delicious flavor of fresh vegetables. At the height of their season, fresh veggies can be savory and sweet, and it's possible to enjoy them...

Freezing vegetables is one way to enjoy the flavor of summer well into the fall and winter. It also is a great way to save money. Growing or buying vegetables when they're in season and preserving...

Bulgur is a type of whole wheat that has already been cooked, left out to dry and ground into various sizes. The most commonly used size is medium bulgur. Bulgur is found in a variety of Middle...

Yukon Gold Potatoes are a variety of white potatoes, a thin golden skin, creamy flesh and buttery flavor, perfect for mashed potatoes. Learn my secret for the best mash ever.

Homemade jams, jellies and preserves can be stored in a variety of ways, such as freezing or refrigerating, but perhaps the best way is to process them in Ball canning jars. Canning can extend the...

The Charbroil Electric Smoker is an inexpensive smoker that is good at low- temperature smoking. The smoker uses water to moderate the temperature and keep it around 225 degrees F, perfect for...

Bulgur wheat is a quick-cooking grain made from wheat kernels that have been parboiled, dried and ground. When rehydrated it has a tender, chewy texture and a light, nutty taste, making it the...

When making large quantities of jarred foods (i.e. pepper spread, homemade tomato sauce), you need to preserve the goods. To avoid contamination, the jars have to be airtight sealed. If they are...

You are getting ready for that big dinner party with your friends and family. You are preparing several dishes and sides. You have the ham pulled out and ready to cook, but you notice some mold on...

Poaching is a cooking method where fish is gently simmered in seasoned water. This technique keeps the fish moist and delicately flavored, bringing out the full taste and texture of the fish. A...

Preparing food on a grill is a great way to add variety to your meals. If you are not a frequent grill user, or if you have a new grill, you need to "season" it first for the best results....

Pumpkin seeds might seem like an annoyance while you are cleaning out a pumpkin to create a jack-o-lantern. But don't throw those seeds away because they make wonderful edible treats. Pumpkin...

Cooking baby food in jars is a possible solution to preserving homemade baby food; however, cooking many types of foods in jars carries the risk of botulinum contamination (botulism). Only fruits...

Home canning lets you preserve homemade foods. Can your own foods in Mason jars to save money or just for the satisfaction of preparing your own preserved foods to share with friends and family....

Blanched almonds are a specialty ingredient in many recipes. Although you can purchase almonds pre-blanched, they are more expensive. The process of blanching removes the dark skin from the...

Rice is a staple in the diets of many people all over the world. Although it is used so frequently, it is often thought to be a difficult food to cook successfully. While boiling is a popular...

This article will show you how to make any kind of gravy without having flour lumps in it.

Steaming food with a Chinese-style bamboo steamer is a great way to make delicious, low fat recipes in your wok. Commonly steamed foods include dumplings like wontons, vegetables, or fish parcels....

Recommendations for jelly making have changed in recent years. Many old recipes advise sealing with paraffin or filling and sealing the jars without processing, but this is no longer recommended....

It was once possible to only smoke food during grilling if you used a smoking tank. With attachable smoking boxes, you can smoke food on almost any size grill. Wood smoker chips are popular among...

Bees form honeycombs in their hives by secreting wax from their abdomens. They store honey in these hexagonal combs. When first removed from the comb, honey is in a semi-hard state rather than the...

Successful canning requires lids that will produce a vacuum seal. It's important that you protect your canned fruits, vegetables and meats properly, or your food may spoil and your family could...

Tomatoes are a flavorful and beautiful addition to your table. They are used in hundreds of recipes, from salsa to pasta to salads. Tomatoes are delicious cooked or raw. The only drawback to this...

Freeze-drying is a dehydration process normally used to preserve a perishable material or to make food more convenient for transport. Backpackers frequently use freeze-dried food since they can...

The addition of hot peppers to a dish not only provides a nice splash of color, they instantly add "heat" and flavor. However, working with hot peppers can be dangerous, as the oils can quickly...

Churning butter is an ancient art, one that has been practiced across the world by many different cultures. Although the paddle churn used in Mongolia to churn yak butter may look different from...