Food & Drink

Pork shoulders are the large and typically inexpensive cuts from the upper foreleg of a hog. Shoulders, sometimes called pork picnics in the grocery or butcher shop, are an excellent choice for...

A wood burning stove adds warmth to the home and while it's hot, there's no reason not to exploit the heat in other ways, such as by cooking a meal. A pizza is perhaps the easiest (and least...

After you've used your pumpkins for fall decorations and freshly baked pies, you're left with cups of fresh pumpkin seeds. Once dried and toasted, pumpkin seeds can be eaten alone or used in...

Opening a new bar can be an overwhelming challenge. Deciding the type of furniture down to the tiniest details such as choosing among the vast selection of bar napkins is a daunting challenge....

A Bradley Smoker uses various types of wood to produce different smoke flavors and aromas in cooked meats. Beef jerky can be smoked in a Bradley for protein-rich snacking. Because all the fat and...

A condensed soup is merely a soup that needs something added first, such as water or milk, whereas a ready-to-eat soup just needs to be heated. Condensed cream soups are easy to find in cans, so...

Yum, everyone absolutley loves ginger cookies. I have a recipe for you that will blow your mind. These ginger cookies are so delicious you will be sure to bring a batch, two, or three to all of...

Salt has been a staple in many households for thousands of years. You can buy it in the store, in many different varieties from table salt to kosher to rock and even sea salt. Of all these salts,...

Sanitizing all equipment is the single most important thing a winemaker can do to ensure success. This includes cleaning all glass thoroughly before bottling the wine. Special bottle sanitizers...

Fermentation is the process of yeast converting sugars into alcohol. In winemaking, the yeast reacts with the natural fructose (fruit sugar) to produce alcohol. The percentage of alcohol by volume...

Potassium sorbate is a form of salt that comes from sorbic acid. This acid is found in berries in the mountains, and it can also be made synthetically in a laboratory. Potassium sorbate is used to...

Cookie cutouts or shaped cookies are commonly made using a sugar cookie dough that is decorated with icing, although any dough that is firm enough to handle and roll out on a floured surface can...

Cut fresh fruit into various shapes using simple cookie cutters. This is how fruit bouquets are created. The fruit is cut into flower shapes and then attached to long wooden skewers along with a...

Sour salt is crystallized citric acid, a weak acid derived from citrus fruits such as lemons and limes. Sour salt is used as a seasoning to add a soft pucker to lemonade, borscht and other...

Parchment paper can be used to line the trays of a food drier or food dehydrator when making crackers or drying an item that could slip through the holes on the tray. No-bake, dried cookie recipes...

Fish fryers use cooking oil to prepare crispy, crunchy fish fillets in a matter of minutes. The fish can be dipped in seasonings and bread batter for extra flavor or placed directly in the fryer,...

Sugar snap peas are one of the most delicious early summer vegetables. They thrive in cool temperatures and are one of the first vegetables offered at farmers markets each spring. Sugar snap peas...

Kobe beef is a high-quality, expensive beef made from Wagyu cows specially bred and raised in the Kobe region of Japan. While the term "Kobe beef" is protected by law, the term "Wagyu beef" refers...

Freezer jam is a quick and painless alternative to a hot water canner. Freezer jam has its advantages not only in its easier preparation but in its fresh flavor. Jam is made to ensure fruit...

Honeydews are part of the muskmelon family. They are considered to be the sweetest melons. There is also a derivative of the honeydew, the winter melon, which is not sweet at all and is eaten as a...

A KitchenAid mixer is a kitchen work horse. You can make bread and cakes with no effort, whip egg whites or cream in a minute. And, you can make meatloaf. No more sticking your hands into a bowl...

There are basically two methods of oven baking pizza. One method is the "com meal" method, where raw pizza products are prepared on a board and baked in the oven, and the other is the "pan"...

Kobe beef is not so much made but rather produced or raised in specific conditions in Japan that over time have contributed to a unique texture, taste and marbling. Kobe beef is widely praised for...

Use a drum smoker to slow cook meats with a delicious, smoky taste. You can easily and cheaply build your own drum smoker with supplies you can purchase from local food suppliers and hardware...

For optimal safety, you should use a frying thermometer at all times, but for those occasions when you do not have a thermometer, you can use this old-fashioned method for approximating the...

When using apples, you might have noticed that the fruit turns an unappetizing brown after cutting. This results from oxygen reacting with enzymes in the apple to create a brown or grayish hue....

A convection oven cooks and bakes food by circulating hot air around it. A convection oven also uses lower heat than a standard oven. Due to the circulation of the hot air, though, food tends to...

Sugar molds come in many different sizes and shapes. They are made out of materials that can withstand high temperatures necessary for boiled sugar recipes and lollipop syrups. Sugar molds can be...

Iron and iron alloys, such as steel, are common elements in pots and pans. Cast iron pans are a popular example. Iron conducts heat well and cooks foods evenly. Fats and oils season iron pots and...

Freezing cheese is an excellent way to keep it relatively fresh. Although most cheese loses its texture after being frozen, it tends to retain its flavor, making frozen cheese a fine ingredient...

Steam your vegetables to delicious, tender perfection without boiling out the nutritive properties using your stock pot steamer. Prepare your fresh vegetables in just a few minutes with steam to...

Cast iron cookware, especially Dutch ovens and skillets, have become family heirlooms in many American households. People value cast iron because it heats very evenly and retains heat well. When...

Reduce the fat in your diet by taking steps to get rid of chicken fat before it reaches your plate. From shopping to preparation and cooking method, you have the power to cut chicken fat in your...

For kids who have dogs or just like the cartoon versions, a surefire hit for a birthday cake is one that features a favorite animal. To make your cake look as close to the family pet as possible,...

Like many European cultures, Spaniards love to luxuriate over food, and they take their meal times seriously. Whether sitting down to a Sunday afternoon paella feast or gathering around the table...

Bulgar wheat (also commonly spelled as bulgur or bulghur wheat) is a product primarily used in Middle Eastern and African cuisine. It is wheat that has been boiled, then dried. The dry wheat is...

Once popcorn is popped, it may be difficult to detect whether it came from white or yellow corn. Learn about the distinct characteristics of these two kernel types to decide which you prefer.

It is nearly dinner time. Do you know what you are serving tonight? If you have prepared by stocking your freezer full of disposable aluminum pans full of lasagna, pot pies, and other casseroles...

Portable roasting ovens have been around for years; they were originally marketed in rural Wisconsin to capitalize on recently established electric service in the 1930s. Unlike your oven, these...

Gumdrops are an imaginative way to make flower garnishments for cakes. With a little bit of thought and some inexpensive ingredients, you can add a sparkling finish to your confection. The more...

Found an old neglected cast-iron skillet or a rusty Dutch oven at a yard sale? Or did you unintentionally neglect yours? You can fix it. A rusty cast-iron skillet is easy to salvage and simple to...

Natural lump wood charcoal is the easiest charcoal with which to start a grilling fire and the easiest to keep lit if tended properly. Unlike charcoal briquettes--made from pressed wood fibers,...

Fried breaded chicken is a delicious addition to any dinner. The chicken comes out moist and flavorful, with warm, crunchy, seasoned bread surrounding the tender meat. Prepare chicken with care,...

A charcoal smoker can slow-cook meat, poultry and fish to tender perfection, with a flavorful smoky taste and aroma. Food is cooked by indirect heat and smoke, away from the charcoal fire. This...

Shrink wrap is useful for protecting and packaging items, whether for storage, shipping or gift-wrapping. Cutting shrink wrap is not a complicated task, but it can become frustrating when the...

If you own an enameled or nonstick coated paella pan, seasoning the pan is not an issue. If you own a carbon steel pan, then you will need to season the pan in order for it to cook food properly....

Oil is a necessary part of cooking--whether used to grease cake pans, flavor pasta or fry just about anything. It can also be one of the most dangerous parts of cooking because of its ability to...

Parchment paper is a valuable addition any kitchen pantry. It is used in baking to prevent foods from sticking to pans. It can also be used to cover meats and other foods while cooking, keeping...

It is relatively easy to make orange flavored oil, considering that the only basic ingredients you'll need are fresh orange peels and "grain alcohol' ... and a little practice on your part to...

Calphalon is a company that makes a variety of cookware, including non-stick pans. Non-stick pans are great to cook and bake with but most of all they are extremely easy to clean. The only...