Smoking and curing meats dates back to ancient times, when our ancestors used these processes to flavor and preserve food. Today, people still use these same process and serve smoked meats at holiday parties and dinners. Cured and smoked meats...
Curing meat is a form of meat preservation that predates the convenience of refrigerators and freezers. Curing is a process that uses salt to dehydrate the meat and make it more resilient against spoilage and rancidity. If you live in a cool...
Curing meats is the process of applying salt and other ingredients to drain the meat of moisture and make it inhospitable to bacteria that cause meat spoilage. Salt is often mixed into water to form a salt solution. A curing solution can feature...
Many farmers, back before the days of refrigeration, used a brine barrel to cure meat. This essentially was a barrel or crock full of salt and water which held the cuts of meat until cured. The process and amounts vary, but basically you take hot...
Smoking and curing meats is not a task for the faint of heart. While it is not technically challenging, it does require more than a modicum of patience and the right materials. This ancient culinary technique is actually two separate techniques...
Smoked and cured meats are prepared to help preserve their shelf life, but they come with certain dangers that can impact your health. The chemicals used to help smoke and cure meats are the cause of the damages and should be a limited part of...
Pheasant eggs are considered a gourmet delicacy. The khaki-colored eggs have a large yolk, but less cholesterol than a chicken egg. The eggs are prepared in much the same way as chicken eggs -- scrambled, fried, poached or made into omelets....
Fermentation is the chemical process by which sugars are converted to alcohols and carbon dioxide. Food products are typically fermented using bacteria or yeast. Fermentation has been used by many cultures for many centuries, perhaps most notably...
The chemical that makes your hot dogs that appetizing pink color is a preservative called sodium nitrite. Under very unusual circumstances, it can cause a fatal toxicity, but the most troubling aspect of this prevalent preservative is its known...
Consuming large amounts of sodium nitrite can be toxic, causing a number of health problems. In light of this, you should try to avoid sodium nitrite, sodium nitrate, and other nitrites and nitrates when possible. However, due to contaminated...
If you find yourself swinging through the drive-thru or reaching for the phone to order carry-out for dinner because you can't find the time to cook each night, consider preparing several entrees at once on the weekend and freezing them for quick...
To prevent the growth of bacteria and meat spoilage, salt was traditionally added to meats. However, as meat processing methods improved, it was found that nitrates present in some salts gave meat its pinkish color while also adding a smoked...
Eating a healthy diet is always important, but eating a healthy diet that is specific for your blood type holds additional advantage, says Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, naturopath. The blood type diet is a nutrition plan based on the blood type and the...
You may have heard new reports about the dangers of processed foods made with sodium nitrate or with a similar chemical known as sodium nitrite. While some of the claims you have heard may be exaggerated, there is legitimate concern about the...
Sodium nitrate, its health risks and where it's found may not be what you think. It is distinct from, but related to, sodium nitrite, which according to the University of Minnesota Extension is typically used in processing cured meats, and...
Sodium nitrite is a chemical found naturally in many vegetables, including spinach, lettuce, cauliflower and beets. It is a common preservative and coloring agent in foods such as cured meats. Nitrite levels in foods concern health care...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists cancer as one of the leading causes of death. Sodium nitrite is a chemical used to cure meat products and has been implicated as a cancer-causing agent. If you have ever consumed cured meat, you...
Potassium nitrate is a naturally occurring chemical consisting of potassium, nitrogen and oxygen atoms. Also known as saltpeter, potassium nitrate is a principal ingredient in fertilizers and fireworks. Soils rich in organic matter contain...
Although you may not recognize the name, sodium ascorbate is a form of vitamin C combined with the mineral sodium. Sodium ascorbate, a common food additive, serves as a preservative in foods, preserves color and retards the harmful effects of...
The chemical compound potassium nitrate decomposes into potassium nitrite. This decomposition produces oxygen, which makes potassium nitrate a good source for rocket propellants and fireworks. You can substitute for potassium nitrate with more...
Gout is an extremely painful arthritic-like condition that affects peripheral joints of the body, particularly the toes and fingers. Gout is essentially caused by dietary choices and used to be referred to as the “rich man’s...
During pregnancy, you will be faced with certain specific restrictions on your diet, lifestyle and personal care. You may be advised to avoid or reduce consumption of certain foods, due to known or suspected risk factors to you or your baby. You...
Sodium nitrite is a food preservative that also gives cured and processed meats, such as ham and hot dogs, their characteristic pinkish color. Many vegetables, including spinach, celery, beets and cabbage, naturally contain large amounts of...
Nitrates, naturally occurring compounds consisting of oxygen and nitrogen, are found in soil, water and a number of foods, such as vegetables. Nitrates themselves are not harmful. Cured meats may contain nitrates as preservatives. Once eaten,...
Depending on your health condition and eating habits, the sodium in a little bit of salami can have a big impact on your blood pressure. Most types of commercial and homemade salami have salt contents of 2 to 3 percent. A dry-cured sausage such as...
Potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter, is part of many products such as fireworks, gun powder, fertilizers, toothpastes and cured, smoked meats. In foods, potassium nitrate acts as a preservative to ward off harmful bacteria and develop the...
Sodium nitrite is considered a food additive. It's often used in cured and smoked meats, as well as pickling brines. It's one of the main ingredients used to preserve the flavor and freshness of these types of products. While there isn't any...
Food manufacturers add substances to food during processing known as food additives. These function to maintain product consistency, improve nutrient value, adjust the acidity or alkalinity and improve color or flavor, according to MedlinePlus....
Many people in Switzerland consider the crispy pancake made of potatoes known as rosti to be their national dish, but there are two distinct schools of thought on the best way to cook it. One method calls for the potatoes to be cooked twice, while...
Stomach cancer is a decreasing cancer in the USA, but is also a leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Stomach cancer is when cells in the stomach become cancerous. In this video learn more about this cancer and how to prevent and treat it.
