food sectionfood sectionDark chocolate has been linked to various benefits that protect and repair your body after exercise, including reduced stress on the heart, improved muscle recovery and reduced fatigue. Many of the…
Making pinto beans and rice is something you can do by soaking them overnight to unlock the maximum amount of flavor. Make pinto beans and rice with help from an experienced culinary professional in…
Ranch-style pinto beans with Jalapeno peppers use about five jalapenos for maximum flavor. Make ranch-style pinto beans with Jalapeno peppers with help from an experienced culinary professional in…
Apple vinegar spray is a great way to prevent your dog from chewing on various types of household items and furniture. Use apple vinegar spray for dog chewing with help from a certified professional…
Raising yeast for bread in a high altitude is going to require you to experiment with different types of flour. Learn about raising yeast for bread in a high altitude with help from a food and…
The most important ingredient in a vanilla bean smoothie is the fresh vanilla bean itself. Make vanilla bean smoothies with help from a food service industry professional in this free video clip.
When making gum paste fondant palm trees, you're always going to want to keep a few basic things in mind. Make gum paste fondant palm trees with help from the Cake Diva in this free video clip.
Dark chocolate raspberry fondue doesn't have to be high in fat - most people just make it that way. Make low-fat dark chocolate raspberry fondue with help from a chef instructor in this free video…
Dry bean rooster crafts are a really fun way to spend an afternoon at home. Find out about dry bean rooster crafts with help from a crafts expert with over fifteen years of experience in this free…
Making dried pinto beans on the stove top isn't nearly as difficult as you might assume it to be. Make dried pinto beans on the stove top with help from the author or co-author of several bestselling…
A shake with Greek yogurt, frozen raspberries and dark chocolate is a shake so delicious that you'll want one every day. Make a shake with Greek yogurt, frozen raspberries and dark chocolate with help…
Dark chocolate raspberry cheese tarts will surely please even the pickiest eaters in your family. Make dark chocolate raspberry cheese tarts with help from a specialty food expert in this free video…
Gum paste needs to be utilized in a very particular way, especially if you're mixing it with fondant. Use gum paste mixed with fondant with help from a renowned cake artist in this free video clip.
Balsamic vinegar and feta dip can be prepared right at home through the proper use of a few key ingredients. Make balsamic vinegar and feta dip with help from a registered dietitian specializing in…
Making peppermint bark requires a few key ingredients, like white chocolate bars. Make peppermint bark with white chocolate bars with help from an experienced baker in this free video clip.
Caramelized bananas in Phyllo dough are a lot easier to make at home than you might at first assume. Make caramelized bananas in Phyllo dough with help from a self-taught pastry chef in this free…
Making sugar gum paste for wedding cakes is a lot easier than you might be assuming it is. Make sugar gum paste with help from a graduate of the Classic Pastry Arts Program at the French Culinary…
Making fondant and gumpaste Wilton bows requires the right tools and a little bit of know-how. Find out how to make fondant and gumpaste Wilton bows with help from a graduate of the Classic Pastry…
Gumpaste flowers can make a great addition to nearly any type of wedding cake. Find out how to make gumpaste flowers with help from a graduate of the Classic Pastry Arts Program at the French Culinary…
Making white balsamic vinegar vinaigrette is very simple and only requires that you follow a few basic steps. Get a great recipe for white balsamic vinegar vinaigrette with help from a culinary…
Making fondant or gum paste butterflies is a great way to give your creation a unique, memorable look. Make fondant or gum paste butterflies with help from a custom cake decorator in this free video…
White chocolate needs to be tinted in a very specific way for the best possible results. Find out how to tint white chocolate with help from the Founder and Head Chocolatier for Sulpice Chocolat in…
Just because you don't have tomato paste doesn't mean you can't make great pizza sauce at home. Make pizza sauce without tomato paste with help from a professional chef with over 25 years of…
Few kitchen aromas are as enticing as the smell of homemade bread in the oven. Making your own bread from scratch can be easy and satisfying, but there's no denying it's a time-consuming process.…
There are few better ways to cap off a meal than with mozzarella, spinach, tomatoes and balsamic vinegar salads. Make mozzarella, spinach, tomatoes and balsamic vinegar salads with help from an…
Vanilla syrup extract is a lot easier to make than you might think. Learn the recipe for vanilla syrup extract with help from a private chef in this free video clip.
Just because you're making a white chocolate latte doesn't mean that drink has to be high in fat. Find out the secret of how to prepare a nonfat skinny white chocolate latte with help from a coffee…
Making a white chocolate blended mocha should not be the most difficult thing you attempt to do in a day. Find out how to make a white chocolate blended mocha with help from the owner of a coffee shop…
Just because you want to enjoy a frappuccino doesn't mean it has to be high in sugar. Make a sugar free vanilla bean creme frappuccino with help from the owner of a coffee shop and a coffee consultant…
Just because you're using food coloring with your frosting doesn't mean you are stuck with that "food coloring" taste. Get rid of food coloring taste in frosting with help from a lead cake designer in…
Bleach is a useful household cleaner, but it can leave unsightly white spots on household fabrics. If you accidentally damage your linens or household textiles with bleach, you can make brown food…
You know you need to keep your pool clean and sanitary; nobody wants to swim in a pool full of algae. But when summer arrives, last year's leftover algaecide may no longer be safe to use or effective.…
Vodka and white chocolate are two ingredients that, when mixed properly, form an excellent alcoholic beverage for you to enjoy. Make a drink using vodka and white chocolate with help from a bartender…
Using agave nectar to make your own chocolate chunks for baking can help you cut back on the refined sugar in your diet. Agave nectar adds sweetness to otherwise unsweetened chocolate, resulting in a…
Getting stains out of clothing is seldom easy or trouble-free. Some of the toughest stains are caused by pigments used deliberately for coloration, such as food colorings and dyes. They're formulated…
Chickpeas are commonly known as Garbanzo beans. This type of bean has been a staple food in Middle Eastern cuisine since 3000 B.C. and is making its way into many American diets. The health benefits…
Cake balls are a perfect combination of candy and cake. Made from just a few simple ingredients mashed together and dipped in chocolate, these delightful treats can be decorated to coordinate with the…
Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes originally conceived Bubble Wrap as a disposable textured wallpaper, but soon saw the value of the plastic wrap with hundreds of cushioning air-filled bubbles for…
Methods for creating gum paste flowers abound. The techniques vary depending on how realistic the decorator wants the final creation to appear. When it comes to making spider mums, there is less room…
While natural vanilla bean podsare slightly pricy in comparison to vanilla extract, the rich flavor makes this added expenditure well worth it -- and executive pastry chef Heather Bertinetti shows you…
When pollen becomes scarce in the winter and early spring, beekeepers feed brewer's yeast to their honeybee colonies to help them survive the lean times. Though honeybees can survive solely on the…
Constructing a gum paste stiletto shoe is a creative way to take any craft project to the next level. Gum paste is a combination of sugar and dough and is often referred to as "candy clay,"…
While some plant experiments can take several weeks or even months before the plants have sprouted and outcomes are ready to be measured, the exploding pinto bean procedure can be done fairly quickly…
If your mother or grandmother ever heralded the skill and efficiency of her stand mixer, chances are good she was smitten with her KitchenAid. Since 1919, the company has been producing powerful,…
Colorful desserts provide visual appeal that varies as much as their style and composition. Several naturally occurring colors, such as red, yellow and green, have numerous variants that provide a…
Nothing sets a more fitting scene for birds than a slender, brown branch. If you have already labored to form gum paste birds, finishing your scene with a branch should be free of complication.…
Pinto beans belong to the bush or snap bean family and produce slender pods filled with beans on a 1 1/2- to 2-foot plant. These beans are prized as dried beans and are often used as refried beans or…
Phyllo dough consists of numerous layers of unleavened flour-based dough, similar to puff pastry. As phyllo dough bakes, moisture contained in the dough produces steam, separating the layers slightly…
Closely related to black, navy and kidney beans, pinto beans are relatively easy to grow in home gardens. The pinto bean is also an important commercial crop and is grown all over the United States,…
Unlike pole beans, which require support to stand upright, bush beans grow in the form of a bush that stands 2 to 3 feet tall. A warm-season vegetable, the bush bean must be planted outdoors after all…
Many manufacturers claim that waterless hand cleaners kill 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria. Waterless hand cleaners come in several forms, and because they are regulated by the Food and Drug…
Teaching art to preschool students can be a messy affair. When painting, it is best to avoid acrylic-based paints that are not safe for consumption and can cause stains. Milk-powder based paints are…
Thanks to the popularity of bakery-based reality shows, cake decorating has risen to a newly elevated status. Far from the lopsided frosting roses of a common grocery store cake, modern cake…
With a few kitchen items, you can make your own powdered watercolors that will maintain a similar shelf life to powdered watercolors that you purchase at a store. Since many people usually do not use…
Dough conditioners are a mixture of improving agents employed by professional bakers to render large batches of dough stronger. Stronger dough withstands kneading with commercial machines without…
Navy beans are a variety of dry beans. Dry beans are bushing beans that have a long growing season, and survive best in warm weather and moist soil. Growing navy beans indoors is not difficult because…
Teaching children about plants is problematic, since seeds are usually buried in potting soil. The germination process is invisible. However, with a wet paper towel, a Ziploc bag, dried pinto beans…
The world of cake making has reached a new level since the advent of reality television. Cooking shows and competitions have sparked a new interest in cake making. People now use airbrushes and food…
Glitter is magical as it transforms the most ordinary of items into something distinctive for special occasions. Gum arabic is a suitable ingredient to make edible glitter without using food coloring.…
An eight-legged octopus is easy to make out of socks and other household materials. They can be stuffed for display or play, or they can be made into a hand puppet. Crafts like these should be…
Preparing a canvas for painting is a necessary step that many artists use to help preserve their work. Canvas preparation is a two-step process that involves the application of sizing, followed by a…
Leaving a loosely capped bottle of red food coloring in the pocket of your pants can be a disaster in and of itself. But, if you throw those same pair of pants into the laundry, the contents could…
Whether you were using food coloring to color the frosting for Christmas cookies or to make an arts and crafts project, the fact is that it stains skin, clothing and countertops. Before you start…
If you're looking for a new treat to please your kids, Twinkie minions may just be for you. In the 2010 hit animated film, "Despicable Me," villains Felonious Gru and Dr. Nefarious were…
Blow pen art is abstract painting created by blowing food coloring or paint through a tube. Many artists use drinking straws to create this type of art, but you can make a sturdier blow pen using an…
Making swirled, or marbled, paper can be fun for people of all ages. Adults can use swirled paper for creative invitations or homemade greeting cards, while kids will enjoy this easy and pretty…
Mushrooms, both the psychotropic variety and the standard kind, can be stored and preserved using CO2. Because CO2 gas is not readily available or affordable for most consumers, you can opt for dry…
With the price of regular liquid milk on the rise, more people are using dry powdered milk as a substitute. A box of dry milk powder is inexpensive and really shines as a money-saver because you only…
Horseflies are a painful nuisance to outdoor enthusiasts. With their powerful sting and seemingly endless numbers, it is only logical to stay away from them. This often requires the use of insect…
Creating homemade slime is a great activity for those looking for some scary props, an intriguing classroom activity, a science fair project or just a little afternoon entertainment. Gooey slime can…
Drying mushrooms in your home is a good way to preserve them for future use. Whether you grow your own or purchase them at the supermarket, mushrooms are highly perishable and, when fresh, do not keep…
When you are teaching kids about different types of maps, you can make the lesson more interesting and hands-on by showing the kids how to construct a map using basic kitchen supplies. For example,…
Some researchers and physicians acknowledge the health benefits of dark chocolate, which takes most of its healthy goodness from antioxidants known as flavonoids. Many in the non-scientific community…
Large, lavish cakes are no longer just for weddings. Many people choose to have these decadent desserts served at parties, events and even business functions. This is because so many people and bakers…
Pinto beans are warm-season crops that are harvested once the seeds are mature and dry. The beans have an oval-shape and a brown or tan appearance with dark speckles. Dry pinto beans grow well in hot…
Vanilla extract's history begins near the equator with the origin of the vanilla bean. A gap of about 300 years separates the origin of the vanilla orchid crop with the origin of vanilla extract. The…
Gum paste, also called pastillage, is a malleable, edible material for making cake decorations that dry to a brittle crispness. When shaping the gum paste, it should mold easily without breaking.…
Gum paste is a very effective way to top cakes and other sweets with a variety of edible designs. The process of making gum paste can liven up the time you share with your kids in a creative way. Gum…
Norwegian bush beans and other dry beans are useful garden crops because they provide essential protein and other healthful nutrients, and they store for long periods of time. The Norwegian bush bean…
Ginger juice adds the zing of ginger to recipes without the fibers of the rhizome. Ginger juice is a common ingredient in Asian cooking, but you can use it in place of freshly grated ginger in most…
A single glass of spilled red wine can turn your expensive carpet into an eyesore, and pit stains can turn your clean white T-shirit into an embarrassment. Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) is…
Gum paste is an edible cake decorating material used to create flowers, borders and other decorations. Like fondant, gum paste dries to a hard finish, but the addition of gum tragacanth makes the…
Fragrant vanilla beans and pure vanilla extract add an aromatic and flavorful touch to your favorite baking recipes. Everyone knows the scent of vanilla wafting through the air means something special…
Pomace oil results from the recycling of the byproducts of pressing olive oil for cooking. This form of olive oil must be labeled as olive-pomace oil to avoid consumer confusion. Like other types of…
Gum paste is a substance that has been used for centuries to make decorative items on cakes and pastries. While it is not considered especially delicious, it is nevertheless prized because it can be…
Refried beans and other Mexican dishes utilize pinto beans. The brown beans grow in pods and are harvested as dry beans. Depending on the variety, it takes 80 to 100 days from planting to produce…
Sticky tack is a reusable adhesive that's very useful in holding up lightweight items like posters or photos. You can also use sticky tack to repair minor household issues. The sticky tack will be…
The vanilla flavoring you use in cookies and cakes actually derives from an orchid plant, Vanilla planifolia, which is native to the tropical forests of Mexico. The flowers only bloom for one day, and…
Create stellar gum paste decorations for your sea-themed cake using seashell chocolate molds. Gum paste is made from sugar and can be easily rolled and sculpted into various shapes for cake…
Semisweet chocolate is a type of dark chocolate. It falls along a continuum with three other types of dark chocolate: sweet, bittersweet and unsweetened. Despite this variety, the term "dark…
Lemon curd is a delicious, tangy dessert that requires close attention when cooking, but with step-by-step guidance from pastry chef Heather Bertinetti, you’ll be able to make your own smooth and…
Pinto beans grown at a high altitude look and taste the same as those grown at lower altitudes -- if you can bring them to harvest, that is. Pinto beans are a warm-season crop, meaning that they need…
Alcohol adds exceptional flavor to baked dishes, such as cakes and cobblers. Sherry is a branch of the wine family, offering a stronger taste and a higher alcohol percentage than a house red wine,…
Brewer's yeast is most commonly used as a nutritional supplement for dogs to prevent fleas. But it has other benefits as well, including improving dry skin, coat and hot spots. A source of B vitamins,…
Not all vegetable seeds are good candidates for saving. Melons and pumpkins can be cross-pollinated by bees, and while the current year's crop is unaffected, future crops grown from saved seeds will…
When looking for a confection to make for a dinner party, bake sale or special event, most people turn to baked goods. However, beautiful and delicious chocolate treats can be made at home with the…
Not having enough of one kind of yeast does not have to send you to the grocery store if you have a little of instant and active dry yeast. You can combine both of these yeast products to make a loaf…
Gum paste is used to create elaborate decorations for cakes. Gum paste is a sugar-based substance that is stronger than fondant, which can be hard and brittle when dry. Gum paste can be tinted or…
Beans are a healthy source of protein and other nutrients, but with so many to choose from it can be difficult to decide which options are best. Wet beans are usually found in a can and are referred…
Gelatin is manufactured from animal connective tissue. This tissue is found in various cartilage parts of animals. The pieces are used because of their high quantity of hydroxyproline and proline,…
A buildup of Candida yeast may lead to a yeast infection or a parasitical infection, also known as an intestinal parasite infection. Doctors treat the condition with prescription antibiotics, but if…
Save money on expensive boutique warmers and make your own at home. Warmers are designed to be heated in the microwave and worn around the neck, on your feet or wherever you may need to apply a heat…
Fried Twinkies have risen in popularity as carnival food, right alongside corn dogs and popcorn. To make them, the cupcake is frozen to keep it firm while cooking, dipped in batter, then plunged into…
Lamb, a culinary staple in the Middle East, is made from young sheep. Lamb chops come from different places on the lamb. Loin chops come from the loin and rib chops from the rib area. Blade or arm…
A well-stocked pantry saves you money in the long run because it reduces temptation to eat fast food for dinner and wasting gas running to the market to pick up that one item needed to complete your…
Yeast is a microorganism -- essentially a type of fungus that is needed to make bread, wine and beer, among other things. Although it lives all around us, it is also available to buy commercially and…
Burek is not a word often spoken in North America, but it has become a byword in Eastern Europe for a delicious and hearty food. Similar to a Greek spanakopita, spinach, urda cheese and meat are…
The lima bean, or Phaseolus lunatus, is a tender annual that needs at least two to three months of warm, frost-free temperatures to make harvest, depending on the specific lima bean type (bush or…
Commercial stainless steel cleaners effectively remove built-up grime and rust from appliances and other surfaces, but they often contain potentially toxic ingredients pressurized in an aerosol can.…
Although one of the earliest records of powdered milk dates back to 13th century China, the modern process of manufacturing it was developed in the early 1960s. Powdered milk goes through various…
Decorate a cake with big and beautiful edible fondant or gum paste magnolia flowers. The edible blossoms can be used to decorate a wedding cake by winding the blossoms in a spiral pattern up the tiers…
Jam is a popular spread, traditionally made from fruit and sugar. Well-liked by both children and adults, jam often appears on the breakfast table as a favorite topping for toast, but can also be used…
Alcohol can be a dangerous additive substance and potentially lethal if a toddler gets hold of a product which contains alcohol. Vanilla in its purest form doesn't contain alcohol. However, the…
Dress up a treat and turn it into a decadent dessert by coating it with a scrumptious layer of white chocolate. You can dip cookies, cake balls, candies, strawberries and even petit fours in the sweet…
Hand dipped chocolate items make great gifts on birthdays or for mother's day. They are also extremely popular Valentine's day gifts. Large quantities of store bought hand dipped chocolate items are…
From cobblers to coffee cakes, a crunchy, butter-laden crumble adds to the consistency and flavor. Cutting butter into a mixture is the process of coating cubes of butter with dry ingredients. This…
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 76 million people become ill and 5,000 die each year as a result of foodborne pathogens. Harmful microorganisms grow on raw food…
Buttercream can be described as a lightly sweet and dense frosting that's ideal for intricate pipe work, such as making flowers. Daisies, roses and other petaled flowers can be used as a border on…
Dairy products often make acceptable substitutions for other dairy products. With a little adjustment to your planned dish or beverage, you should be able to reduce the amount of whole milk you use,…
Gum paste is a sugar dough similar to a clay in the way you can stretch, roll out, mold and shape it for your cake decorating projects. Gum paste can be homemade or you may buy it at any craft supply…
Chocolate holds a special place in the consciousness of many. Just the word conjures up the plentiful and varied types of chocolate available for purchase. Of these varieties, white chocolate is often…
Pearl dust is a type of edible dusting powder designed for use on fondant-covered desserts. When sprinkled over the fondant, it creates a shiny luster that instantly grabs the attention of those…
Torula yeast, also known as Candida utilis, is a highly versatile yeast. It is found worldwide and may grow in wood, paper pulp, leaf litter and substrates that are rich in cellulose. It is a useful…
Baking bread at home creates delicious aromas and is quite an easy task. One of the most critical parts of making bread is allowing it to rise, a process that strengthens the protein in the flour,…
Yeast activates in a wet medium, such as water, in the temperature gradient between 105 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit kill yeast cells, and temperatures below…
Several varieties of beans are high in fiber, vitamin B1 and other vital nutrients that help lower LDL, or bad, cholesterol. Unfortunately, many types of beans contain sugars called oligosaccharides…
Many recipes, such as dessert or sauces, call for yogurt as an ingredient. If you cannot tolerate yogurt or do not have any on hand, there are some basic substitutions that you can use in place of it.…
When you have an abundant amount of lemons or oranges, you can preserve the fruits to enjoy them throughout the year. Fruit tends to spoil quickly, but a freezer will protect its texture and flavor.…
Colorful frosting turns plain white cupcakes or cakes into creative, beautiful pieces of art. It allows you decorate with more creativity and produce uniquely designed cakes. Although you can purchase…
Deliciously sweet with a light and fluffy texture, broiled marshmallow topping is sure to be an instant favorite with your family or dinner guests. Easily prepared in advance and then finished at the…
Using quick-acting yeast in recipes that call for active-dry yeast requires slight modifications to the preparation method. For instance, unlike compressed or active-dry yeast, it doesn't require…
Baking leavened bread requires the baker to combine leveling agents, such as yeast or baking powder, and salt with flour to make the dough expand into a loaf of bread. While bakers can purchase…
Curd isn't usually associated with something that sounds good to eat. While the name may not sound appealing, bean curd is a versatile ingredient in many Asian cuisines. The soy-based vegetarian…
Most people agree that butter is a baker's best friend, but yogurt has plenty of benefits of its own. It's got way less fat and calories than butter and much more protein, calcium and other nutrients.…
Two main ingredients are needed for fermentation to take place -- yeast, which consumes the other ingredient, fermentable sugar. A corn mash uses corn as the fermentable sugar, though there are a few…
Yeasts are single-celled fungi. Common types of yeast include bakers yeast used to leaven bread and molds that produce antibiotics for medical use. The term autolysis means the destruction of a cell.…
Yeast is a fungus used in baking breads and in beer and wine making. It converts sugar and starch into carbon dioxide air bubbles, making dough rise to a light, airy consistency. Home bakers use dry…
As a food preservation method, lactic acid fermentation is not as old as drying or freezing, but it was a method some tribes and villages used to survive harsh winters as early as 50 A.D. Many foods…
There is nothing better on a crisp fall day than delicious smells wafting from goodies baking in the oven. Fall welcomes the holiday season and a torte is the perfect dessert to celebrate fall…
Nutritional yeast is often found in health food stores where it can be bought in bulk to supplement otherwise unbalanced diets. Yellowish and powdery, nutritional yeast, unlike baker's yeast, is not a…
Crayfish are a popular part of Cajun cuisine. They are eaten in many dishes including the well-known crayfish boil, in which live crayfish are added to a pot of spicy boiling water and vegetables. If…
Dried vinegar, or vinegar powder, is essentially dehydrated vinegar, often combined with maltodextrin and food starch. While a pure dried vinegar can be mixed with water to make liquid vinegar, any…
The Sacher torte is a dessert that Franz Sacher created, in 1832, in Vienna, Austria. The torte continues to enchant chocolate lovers: the Hotel Sacher, the official makers of the cake, estimates…
Because cream of tartar is a relatively uncommon ingredient, it can sometimes mystify cooks who do not have any cream of tartar on hand. This white powder is a by-product of wine-making that is formed…
Making too much biscuit dough is easily done, resulting it so many biscuits that some will inevitably end up going stale. To avoid this, it's best to freeze them and you can do this before baking.…
Known for their beauty and grace, adding butterfly designs to a cake will turn it into a work of art. Cake decorating skills can be self taught or learned in a classroom. Even for the most skilled…
Creating a good yeast culture is essential in the production of homebrewed beer, mead or wine. There are numerous commercially available starter kits, but home culturing will save you money. The…
Pure, refined baker's yeast was one of the great culinary advances of the 19th century. For the first time, a home baker could start and finish bread in just a few hours, getting a reliably high and…
Warm muffins typically are associated with honey and melting butter, not sizzling bubbles. A closer look at a muffin's texture helps to answer the question of what baking powder does. Baking soda is…
Many people find beans difficult to digest, resulting in pain, bloating and flatulence from gas (See Reference 1). Some beans, such as navy beans, tend to create more intestinal problems than other…
