Listen, we get it. Many books you find in the “health” category can be a little dry, even boring. They read more like textbooks than page-turning thrillers. But some health tomes are well worth your time —deli...
The thought of eating red seaweed might not make your mouth water, but it is an ingredient in a number of tasty foods. Carrageenan extract is used as a thickening agent to add texture and bulk to liquids. It is especially usefu...
While wine adds a unique flavor to cooking, cooking with wine can be costly and unappealing to those wish to avoid alcohol. Ginger ale makes for a good wine substitute because of its mild, crisp flavor. Ginger ale has a signifi...
Stir-frying is a cooking technique in which you cook your ingredients in hot oil. When you work with a single ingredient, the process is rather simple: You simply stir-fry the ingredient until it is done. When you work with a c...
If you haven't given yourself over to the shaved-head style touted by the fashion industry, you're probably trying to figure out ways to make your hair look thicker or keep it from thinning as you age. Hair growth occurs in cyc...
Penne pasta is classic, bite-size, tube-shaped pasta, commonly served with tomato sauce, though other sauces such as basil pesto or cream sauces are sometimes used, as well. Even though penne pasta may be a classic Italian dish...
Hibiscus plants are native to the tropical regions of Africa, though they have spread to many regions throughout the world. In holistic and natural remedy circles, hibiscus is reported to have many natural healing qualities for...
Linguine Alfredo is a creamy, cheesy dish made with long pasta that is wider than spaghetti and narrower than fettucine. You can eat it plain or make it with broccoli, chicken or shrimp. Imported tiger shrimp is delicious but i...
With the demanding schedules of work and family, cooking full meals every night can be more than your available time allows. If you want your family to have meals made from fresh ingredients even when you do not have hours to p...
Swordfish are a large game fish that are coveted for their rich, meaty fillets and steaks. These fish are found in warm and temperate waters worldwide, according to Vin T. Sparano, author of "The Complete Outdoors Encyclop...
Dips are one of the top three exercises that effectively tone your triceps, according to the American Council on Fitness. They’re easy to perform almost anywhere because all you need is a sturdy chair, ledge or bench that...
Bread dough typically goes through two rising sessions before it is ready to go into the oven. The yeast in the dough breaks down sugars to create carbon dioxide to cause the bread to rise. After the initial rising period, the ...
Walnuts freeze well, but if you need to store a lot of them or want to keep a supply on hand without taking up freezer space, canning is an option for preserving them. Canning helps to protect walnuts from becoming rancid, mold...
Ideally, in today's busy world most people long for healthy, economical snacks and meals that are quick and easy to prepare. But, it is the plight of most to find foods that are filling, healthy and low cost. Sometimes it is c...
Pressure cookers can cook Swiss steak faster than other conventional cooking methods, and because of the fast cooking process, pressure cookers are very energy efficient. Using a pressure cooker also allows your food to retain ...
Tony Kanaan keeps it simple. The IndyCar driver and Ironman triathlete’s favorite meal consists of two main ingredients: steak and salt. The dish is called Picanha, and Kanaan –driver of the Number 11 car from KV Ra...
Gout is a type of arthritis that usually involves the big toe, the ankle or the knee, reports PubMed Health. Too much uric acid contributes to gout and joint inflammation. Certain foods and beverages are high in purines, which ...
Coconut milk is derived from mature coconuts that are harvested from palm trees bearing the fruit. Coconut milk and oil are commonly used in the cuisine of many Southeast Asian people, especially those of Thailand. Coconut milk...
Gelatin and fruit pectin are substances that thicken, gel or stabilize foods and other products. Gelatin is a protein substance derived from collagen, a protein found in animal bones and skins. Pectin is a carbohydrate found in...
Depending on how you want to fry your vegetables, you have different options for cooking oil. Although all oils are high in fat, certain oils are healthier because of the type of fat. Cooking oils have different smoking points,...
This is important for children as well as adults. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend whole grains for children, beginning at age 2. Children as young as 8 to 10 months can be gi...
Many high-end ovens offer both convection and conventional cooking. A convection oven has a fan in the back that blows hot air around, making for an even temperature throughout the whole oven, unlike conventional ovens that oft...
If your guests get excited at the appearance of one leg of lamb, they'll start salivating when you pull a second one out of the oven. A leg of lamb -- a cut of meat that, yes, comes from the hindquarter of a sheep younger than ...
Glutenous rice, also spelled "glutinous," is short grain rice. Often called sweet rice or pearl rice, the grains become sticky when cooked. It's preferred in many countries because it's easier to eat with chopsticks t...
Elderberries are small black or blue berries that grow wild in Europe and Asia. They are also found throughout the United States. The elderberry has a long history of medicinal use both externally and internally, but some types...
A good bread recipe can inspire you to plan an evening of baking that results in the wonderful smell of fresh bread wafting through your home. Many bread recipes call for bread flour, and you might have only all-purpose flour o...
Spicy sausage adds flavor to many recipes, including soup, pizza and pasta sauce. However, some versions have more bite than others, and their spice is often enhanced during cooking. If your sausage dish is too spicy, it may be...
If you're looking to get out of the kitchen while still being able to prepare a delicious home-cooked meal, an outdoor grill is an ideal option. But which type of grill to use and how to use it are questions outdoor cooks may n...
Conventionally grown beef usually comes from cattle that are raised on concentrated-animal feeding operations or CAFOs. These are industrial-scale facilities that house many thousands of animals in such close proximity that nor...
A blender and some common kitchen ingredients, such as milk, yogurt and fruits, can help you blend a fruit smoothie that acts as a meal supplement. In the traditional sense of the word, a meal supplement acts to enhance a meal,...
When preparing any vegetable, keep in mind that different cooking methods can affect the nutritional value. Broccoli is no exception. According to a study published in the August 2009 Journal of Zhejiang University Science, ste...
Watermelons may relax blood vessels, improving circulation and even improving libido and erectile function, according to Medical News Today. Watermelon gives you a sweet treat with nutrients that benefit your body. Watermelon's...
Onions might not sound like the best dietary choice when you have an irritated stomach lining. But onions might help clear some cases of gastritis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Scallions are young oni...
Learn how to pack a biodegradable lunch to reduce waste and save money. Food packaging is a major source of waste. On average, a child carrying disposable lunches creates 67 pounds of waste each school year, according to the En...
Hazelnuts are rich, boldly flavored nuts that can be used in a variety of dishes, most commonly after roasting them in the oven to bring out their buttery flavor. Hazelnuts are healthy to use in your cooking too – they...
You can be allergic to any food if your immune system determines that something in the food could do your body harm. Sometimes your immune system overreacts, as is the case with some autoimmune diseases, but normally an inflamm...
Korean honey string candy is an ancient confection often prepared by street vendors. In Korea it is called kkultarae, and it was traditionally presented to the king and his guests. The honey-based candy is pulled into approxima...
Those golden-yellow ears of corn have many uses, including being milled down to a white or yellow flour that can be used for breading or in baked goods recipes. Besides being a tasty addition to recipes and containing nutrients...
Eczema is a chronic skin condition that involves scaly and itchy skin. The hypersensitivity reaction in the skin, which is similar to an allergic reaction, causes inflammation. Although there are medications to treat eczema, so...
Ethanol, also called drinking alcohol, has long been part of the human diet. Fermentation and distillation techniques have been practiced for thousands of years, and yields beverages that affect human behavior and perception. A...
If you like the look of grill lines on foods such as meat or grilled sandwiches, a grill pan can give you the look. Grill pans don't supply the taste of food grilled on a charcoal or gas grill, however. Large grill pans fit ove...
White rice, a staple of Asian diets, undergoes a significant amount of processing. Brown rice, less popular for most Asian dishes because of its stronger flavor, retains more nutrients. Brown rice contains both the outer layer,...
Grilling isn't the traditional method of cooking crab legs, but it is a quick and easy way to cook this tasty treat. Crab legs cook quickly; you can buy already-cooked crab legs or cook them fresh. You can grill on a charcoal o...
Lemon peel encompasses the whole outside of the lemon, including the white skin, and it is generally only used for decoration because of its bitter taste. Using lemon zest in your cooking is also an excellent way to add flavor ...
Grilling is one of the healthiest cooking methods, adding very little extra fat to a dish, and it imparts a rich, smoky flavor to squash that is enhanced by fresh garlic. Choose summer squash varieties, such as zucchini or yell...
Beans are an excellent source of protein, fiber and iron. Dry beans contain less sodium than the canned variety, but they also require more preparation, including pre-soaking and cooking. The texture and flavor is similar enoug...
Although it might seem that fresh fish would a healthier choice than frozen, the truth is that both fresh and frozen fish can be healthy choices, as long as you store and prepare them properly. The freshness of the fish, along ...
Clams, part of the mollusk family, live along the sandy shores from Maine to South Carolina. Like most shellfish, clams don’t stay fresh for long after harvesting. Freezing raw clams is a common method of preserving this ...
Whether you grow your own sprouts at home or buy whole, natural sprouts from a grocery store or market, you will need to de-hull them. De-hulling is commonly done with a variety of different types of sprouts, though it is not n...
Smoking a chicken that has been brined for additional flavor is an excellent cooking method. When done properly, smoking a chicken gives you flavorful, succulent meat. While brining and smoking does take some time, many chefs a...
You might place raw brown sugar instead of refined white sugar in your shopping cart, feeling virtuous, thinking you're buying a healthier sugar for your family. Unfortunately, brown sugar, whether raw or refined, has little to...
Water is the most essential nutrient for sustaining life, as it hydrates, transports oxygen and other nutrients into cells, regulates body temperature, prevents constipation and cushions joints. Your body requires 8 to 12 cups ...
Nutmeg is made from the nut of the Myristica fragrans tree, which is native to the rain forests of Indonesia. Several species similar to M. fragrans are grown in many other regions of the world, although they are generally cons...
Soaking whole-grain wheat prepares it for cooking. The kernels are hard, compared to more tender grains such as rice, and soaking softens the kernels. Whole-grain wheat refers to unprocessed wheat kernels called wheat berries. ...
Despite the commercials, milk is not an essential food for children or adults. While milk does contain calcium, it also has a high sugar and fat content perfect for baby cows, but not necessarily for humans. Giving up cow's mil...
Eggs have a reputation as one of the foods that can cause the potentially fatal bacterial infection salmonella, although only around one in 20,000 eggs contain the bacteria, according to the American Egg Board. While cooking th...
High in protein and low in calories, salmon has earned its heart-healthy reputation. The fish contains a rich supply of the omega-3 fatty acids that the American Heart Association recommends to reduce the risk of cardiovascular...
Sliced deli meats provide more than flavor for sandwiches. They are also packed with protein. However, commercial deli meats often contain excess fat and sodium, components that you can control when you make your own lunch meat...
Pepper steak can easily get tough, especially when you use cuts like shank or chuck. These cuts come from the legs and shoulders of the cow, so the muscles are used a bit more than the sirloin and flank, for example. The more a...
While manufacturers commonly bleach and process commercial flour, you can control every step of the milling when you grind your own flour. Home grinding lets you decide on a coarse texture for rustic whole-wheat breads or a fin...
Botanically, peppers are fruits, and that means they contain seeds. Although you can eat them, the seeds contribute little in the way of flavor and texture in sweet pepper varieties. In hot chili peppers, the seeds may make a d...
Walnut oil, though not as common as other types of oils like olive, vegetable or canola, is a healthy choice because it is rich phytonutrients, magnesium, zinc, iron and calcium as well as vitamins B-1, B-2, B-3 and E. Walnut o...
Baby spinach and lettuce are both naturally fat free and low in calories. You can pile heaping portions of these leafy greens on your plate without feeling guilty. Spinach is delicious steamed or raw and tossed in a cold salad....
Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes are available from Domino's Pizza and come in orders of two. Determining the nutritional information for the cakes is a good way to ensure that they fit within your daily fat, calorie, sugar and nutr...
Baby corn comes from regular sized corn stalks. You can pick baby corn as immature ears of full-sized corn, although you can also plant specific varieties of corn that produce baby corn as a primary crop. Many Asian dishes feat...
The several kinds of lemon oil serve different purposes in cooking and also generally come at different price points. When buying lemon oil, look for the purest possible version without added ingredients for the best flavor, an...
Matsutake mushrooms are commonly grown along the coast of Washington, and the word translates literally to pine mushroom in English. Matsutake mushrooms are generally grown in the wild and picked for exportation and sale. In As...
Bellows breathing uses the abdominal muscles to assist the diaphragm for forceful exhalation. It works a deep muscle called the transversus abdominus. When you travel to a higher altitude, such as traveling from sea level to ab...
In addition, individuals with MCTD may experience features of rheumatoid arthritis. Some common symptoms of MCTD include fatigue, blood vessel spasms, swollen hands, low-grade fever, muscles aches, sensitivity to cold and join...
These are common symptoms of hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar, or glucose. Your body needs glucose to produce the energy required for every life-giving function and process. Hypoglycemia can be treated by eating cookies a...
Celery is both a staple and a snack food in many homes. It was first listed as a plant in France in 1623, and it became a seed crop in Michigan in the 1850s. It is sold as stalks and as pre-packaged celery hearts in grocery sto...
That’s also true when it comes to what you eat. Depending on the time of day or what situation you’re in, your body needs certain nutritional properties to help you get through—so you can work and live at your...
Steaming vegetables is a healthy alternative to other cooking methods; it allows them to retain maximum nutritional value, as well as their natural color, shape and texture if they aren’t overcooked. How long to cook vege...
While they may be calorie and fat dense, mixed nuts help curb your hunger while offering essential nutrients. Add small amounts of nuts daily to cereals or salads, or grab an ounce as a snack. When included as part of a low-cal...
Protein may get a lot of attention as a muscle-building nutrient, but you need carbohydrates for energy to help you meet your lean-body goals. Bread is a good source of carbohydrates, but not all types are equally beneficial. C...
What paints are to an artist, ingredients are to a cook. A well-stocked pantry and refrigerator gives you a larger palette with which to create culinary art. Keeping certain staples on hand can also help you make better decisio...
Dairy products are those that are made from cow’s milk, including cheese, yogurt, ice cream and milk itself. A flavored variation on standard milk is chocolate milk, which is sweetened with cocoa, sugar or other sweetener...
The American Heart Association recommends you eat two servings of fatty fish a week as a part of a heart-healthy diet. Although snapper is a lean fish and not fatty like tuna or salmon, it remains a viable source of fatty acids...
After finishing a mentally draining task such as a taking a test or finishing a big project you might feel as though you've run a marathon. Your brain is tired, which often makes your body feel tired. This type of activity cont...
Stretching along the hind inner thigh, the pork tenderloin is one of the juiciest, tenderest sections of the pig. Compared to other muscles, the rear inner thigh isn't used strenuously, which results in tender, delicate tissue ...
You can find game meat in grocery stores, in specialty markets and on restaurant menus across the nation. Don’t let the leanness, wilder flavor and different name of the cuts fool you -- cooking game meat is not much diff...
Though the shell is present when harvested, it sheds from each barley grain when processed. When you clean hulless barley at home, you usually won't have to deal with more than a few pieces of outer husk. Hulless barley contain...
Raclette cheese is a semi-firm cheese, most often used for melting in dishes using potatoes, pickles and meats. Raclette cheese originates in the Alps -- on both the French and Swiss sides. The two versions of raclette vary sli...
Vegetables are low in fat, making them an ideal choice for a weight-loss diet. In addition, they contain many vitamins and minerals that are important for good overall health. Sneaking vegetable purees into recipes helps adults...
If you are pregnant, you are likely aware that it is essential to get the proper daily nutrition for your changing body and developing baby. It is also important to avoid or limit foods that may be harmful during pregnancy. Thi...
Learn how to use sprouted grain flour to enjoy a source of whole grain that tends to be sweeter than other whole-grain flours. Sprouted flour comes from grains that have germinated. Manufacturers dry sprouted grain and mill it ...
Brining a chicken imparts a rich, salty flavor to the meat that also helps to keep it moist and tender throughout the cooking process, no matter what your preferred cooking method is. You can brine a whole chicken or simply pie...
Dehydrating meat prolongs its shelf life, allowing you to rehydrate it later or enjoy as a dried food. Cooked bacon works well in a dehydrator and makes a protein-packed snack, salad topping or soup ingredient. Dehydrated bacon...
You can preserve venison by one of two methods: hot packing or cold packing. Hot packing means you cook the meat before caning; with cold packing, you can the meat uncooked. In both cases, you must use a pressure canner to pres...
For centuries, kava root has been used as an herbal supplement for relaxation and sedation. It is most commonly brewed as a tea and has several known calming and stress-reducing properties. Unfortunately, a growing concern, ver...
In some countries, rice water, often with added salt, is used to provide fluids during episodes of diarrhea or vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. The water actually contains some vitamins and minerals leached from the ...
A well-executed cheese soup is hearty, comforting and full of flavor. However, it isn't always easy to achieve, especially if you’re in a hurry or cooking other foods at the same time, and improperly prepared cheese soup ...
Rice paper wrappers are common in a wide variety of Asian cuisine, most commonly Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. Often sold in small squares or rounds, rice paper wrappers are usually soaked and then used to make spring rolls, ...
High protein diets may help boost your weight loss, notess MayoClinic.com. However, it can get challenging to try to find ways to increase your dietary protein. Chickpeas are a great solution, both high in protein and fiber. A ...
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach. The pancreas produces enzymes that join with bile from the gallbladder to digest food. With pancreatitis, the enzymes attack and damage the tissue instea...
A single sun-dried tomato can change the entire flavor of a meal. A tomato that is dehydrated in the sun develops an intense flavor and chewy texture without losing the nutrients, including vitamins A and C and the antioxidant ...
Preserving homemade foods requires careful attention to proper canning procedures to avoid contamination that could result in serious illness. The only way to safely preserve soup -- a low-acid food -- is to use a pressure cann...
Instead, you'll need a juicer or masher to extract liquid. Juicing the vegetable removes much of the natural fiber content found in the pulp. Nonetheless, eggplant juice contains valuable nutrients including vitamin C, folate, ...
Spelt is a grain that is descended from wheat, and it has a mild, nutty flavor that is comparable to wheat. Although spelt contains gluten, it has less than whole wheat or white flour. As a result, substituting spelt flour for ...
Replacing milk with soy milk is one of the easier substitutions in cooking and baking. Substitute equal amounts of milk and soy milk: If a soup recipe calls for 2 cups of milk, replace it with 2 cups of soy milk. The same can b...
Dating back thousands of years, rice has been and still is a staple for most of the world's populations. This grain, when cooked properly, adds a nice flavor and thickness to many types of soups. Unfortunately, if overcooked, t...
Turnips never seem to get the respect they deserve. This root vegetable is available year-round, is low in calories and is packed with vitamin C and potassium. If you can find turnips with the greens attached, you'll also get a...
Most people making traditional fried chicken leave the skin on the bird. Not only does it help the breading stick to the meat, but the skin holds a lot of flavor. Heart-healthy cooks, however, are moving toward skinless chicken...
Lima beans contain many essential nutrients, including 21 grams of fiber, 20 grams of protein, 5 percent of the daily recommendation for vitamin C and 35 percent for iron, per 1/2-cup serving. Proper storage and cooking techniq...
Nothing quite compares to the smell of sweet-cured bacon cooking. As it browns, you get savory, salty wafts of this succulent meat with hints of apple, cherry or maple, depending on which hardwood is used for curing. You can co...
Although many restaurants now serve stuffed crab in aluminum dishes or pasta shells rather than in the crab shell, crab shells make an attractive serving dish. To make stuffed crab in the shell, decide which type of crab to use...
Hard shell crabs are a seafood delicacy. Crabs are boiled or steamed, leaving the meat tender and tasty. Getting to the crab meat is the big challenge, and you have to do some work to crack and remove the hard shell, legs and c...
In the right circumstances, campfire cooking times don't have to differ too much from oven timings. However, unlike an oven, you can't set a campfire to an exact heat. That means there's always a bit of guesswork involved when ...
Cream puffs are small balls of baked dough filled with cream. The “puff” part of the name refers to how the pastry dough puffs up into a craggy bun while it is baking. Cream puffs look difficult to make because they...
Whether you enjoy them with a dash of salt and pepper or as part of a salad or sandwich, hard-boiled eggs fit plenty of nutrition into a small package. They're also deceptively challenging to cook; a few missteps could lead to ...
Dried chili peppers can last for months without losing their spicy kick. All members of the genus Capsicum retain their rich red hue and their distinctive taste when dried, but some varieties take on greater complexity of flavo...
Most dishes have an uncertain provenance, but blackened fish has a single inventor: New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme. The butter and spices in the dish draw from Cajun cuisine, but the technique is modern. Blackened fish takes i...
Rich in salt and fat, salami isn't the healthiest snack around. For example, the USDA claims that just one slice of salami contains as much as 543 mg of sodium -- more than 20 percent of the recommended daily limit for an adult...
Freezing lets you enjoy the flavor and health benefits of fruit even when it's out of season. Frozen fruit offers an economical option over fresh fruits too. Commercial flash-freezing preserves fruit at its peak, retaining much...
Improper wrapping will also cause freezer burn. You can preserve deer meat for later use by preserving it either raw or cooked. Preserving raw deer meat is called cold packing. Preserving meat of any type safely requires a pres...
Nothing will impress your dinner guests quite as much as homemade pasta. Making your own noodles doesn't require a great deal of skill, and while using a pasta machine to roll and cut the dough does simplify the process, it's n...
How you cook your seafood affects its nutrition. Seafood is a good source of protein, iron, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which all play an important role in a healthy diet. Seafood, like wild salmon, shrimp and crayfish, ...
Legumes and fruit make great combinations for a healthy diet. You may be surprised to find that there are flavorful pairings of these two food groups. Both are low in fat and high in fiber. If you are trying to avoid meats and ...
Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas, like other legumes, supply dietary fiber, as well as essential vitamins and minerals, to your diet. To make this recipe, you need a can of chickpeas, a little cookin
Fermentation, a chemical reaction, changes milk into cheese, but can also change cheese over time into the variety of cheeses enjoyed today. An aging process, fermentation creates hard cheeses, such as blue or aged cheddar. You...
Some oils are better for your health than others, but all fats are about twice as high in calories per gram than carbohydrates or proteins. Therefore, removing some fat from your food can help with weight and cholesterol manage...
The liver is the second largest organ in your body. It processes the food and drinks you consume into essential nutrients, and also filters out harmful or toxic substances from your blood. Tropical fruits such as bananas, pinea...
Making these tasty wraps requires little more than spreading the mixed batter on a flat surface for a few hours of dehydration. Thoroughly mixing the ingredients in a food processor or blender will give your tortillas that fine...
Canning peppers in tomato sauce lets you enjoy homemade pasta sauce any time of year. Unlike with oil, vinegar or other liquids, you can serve peppers canned in tomato sauce directly from the jar. Additionally, the acid in toma...
Dried sea scallops are a key component in many Asian dishes, where they are prized for their subtle, sweet and salty flavor. You can purchase dried scallops in an Asian market, or you can save money by purchasing fresh sea scal...
A good piece of chicken or beef enhances the flavor and texture of any stew. Stew meat preserves well inside jars because the surrounding stew or broth locks in the meat’s natural moisture and texture. Unlike highly acidi...
Yellowtail is often mistaken for a type of tuna. This delicate fish is a member of the jack family, which includes the pompano and amberjack fish. Yellowtail fish has a mild, sweet flavor with a firm texture. The majority of y...
Cultures throughout Asia have prepared food for centuries using rice paper. These thin, lightly textured sheets, sometimes called wafer paper, are made from rice flour and maintain shape at any temperature. The flavorless quali...
Grape leaves -- commonly called vine leaves -- feature in lots of Mediterranean recipes. The fresh leaves themselves don't contain much nutritional value, with only 3 calories per leaf and 73 percent water content, according to...
Many types of onions are given the name scallions, but a true scallion has a straight, firm base. When you see a curve at the end, it’s a telltale sign that you’re looking at an immature onion picked before a bulb c...
Though it's hardly the traditional Italian way, you can cook a decent pizza in an electric saucepan. The saucepan, or electric skillet, conducts most of the heat through the base of the pan. The challenge, then, is to circulate...
The native habitat of morel mushrooms is deep inside moist forests. These naturally occurring fungi make flavorful additions to salads and casseroles, or as a sauteed dish by themselves. The exact nutritional value of morel mus...
Long, thin and juicy when cooked well -- it's like nature designed pork loin for a rotisserie spit. Boneless pork loin is one of the leanest cuts of the pig. While that's better for your health, it does mean the meat needs a li...
The FoodSaver is a vacuum seal machine that seals anything from steak to blueberries inside a plastic bag while removing extra air with an internal vacuum. The result is a compact bag of food that deters mold and bacteria by lo...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's minimum daily recommended consumption of grain for adults is 6 to 8 ounces with at least 3 to 4 ounces coming from whole grains. Whole grains provide important nutrients and reduce the risk ...
The crop is resistant to certain pesticides such as glyphosate, also known as Roundup. This feed crop has come under fire because of concerns that it exposes the animals you eat to unnecessary pesticides. As a result, the use o...
Its symptoms include wheezing, tightening of the chest and coughing. An attack can be brought on by exercise or an allergic reaction. There is no cure for asthma, but there are medications and alternative therapies that can he...
Recipes that require baking chocolate generally use cane sugar, such as table sugar, superfine sugar or powdered sugar. Most of the sugar that U.S. residents consume comes from added sugar, and sugar supplies calories without n...
The clam juice available in stores is the liquid that results from straining clams. It generally includes added salt. Dishes such as clam chowder and seafood soups often include clam juice. Using a lower-sodium alternative for ...
One grapefruit or orange provides at least 70 percent of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin C, along with fiber and Vitamin A. Other citrus fruits, such as lemons and limes, have similar nutritional value, but you’...
Tortillas can be nutritious and versatile, adding an easy option instead of bread for many dishes. Once you have tried fresh, homemade tortillas, the store-bought variety may no longer be adequate, but there are a variety of to...
While many people lump all hot peppers together in an interchangeable group, peppers actually differ considerably in their appearance as well as their taste. Substituting one pepper for another might change the taste and the he...
People have used honey as a sweetener since ancient times. The main type of flower the bees get their nectar from influences the honey's color and flavor. Learning how to use honey to sweeten food may help you reduce your overa...
Learning how to lower sugar for a peach cobbler gives you a healthier version of a traditional dessert. The challenge in reducing sugar in a cobbler is that the recipe needs to create the right flavor and consistency for the pe...
In the era before refrigeration, salty brine could add flavor to, tenderize and help preserve beef, poultry and other meats. As refrigeration become more common, preservation was less of an issue, but marinades are still used t...
Salt beef, a St. Patrick's Day favorite, is packed with salt and plenty of fat. In fact, the University of Florida's Health Science Center refers to it as a "caloric bomb." It also contains half the amount of your rec...
The two chuck roasts that typically need to be tied are the chuck-eye roasts, sometimes called a boneless chuck roll or boneless chuck fillet, and the under blade roast, also known as a California roast. Chuck roasts need to be...
Not surprisingly, the evolution of the fish cake coincides with that of the available kitchen equipment. In the 1920s, manually mashing the meat was the only way to pulverize fish. The introduction of the food processor has mad...
Roasting chicken is a healthy cooking method, allowing much of the fat to drain off, but the white meat in particular can dry out in the oven if you aren't careful. There's more than one way to keep chicken moist while it's coo...
Cookie bouquets provide both a visually creative object and an edible treat, and they are relatively simple to create at home. As long as you can bake and decorate cookies that aren’t broken or burnt, you can design a coo...
The traditional Mexican tamale consists of dough filled with cheese, meat, fruits, vegetables or a variety of other ingredients. All that filling is wrapped in a natural leaf, usually a banana leaf or corn husk, which holds ste...
Truffles are well-known in the culinary world, and their high price is an indicator of their rarity and uniquely impressive flavor. While truffles have plenty of flavor on their own when served raw, their rich, nutty flavor and...
There are many home remedies for insomnia, the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for long periods of time. Honey and apple cider vinegar both have been used to treat insomnia. They can also be combined into an easy-to-mak...
Grilling foods on wood planks imparts a smoky flavor. Cedar has a distinct flavor that makes it a favored grilling plank for many fish, including catfish. Plank cooking allows you to thoroughly cook fish fillets without drying ...
Drying is a necessary and important step in creating many cheeses -- particularly hard varieties such as Parmesan. If you choose to dry the right cheese, you can also make powdered cheese that stores for many months. Some moist...
For many years, the American Heart Association recommended a low-fat diet for maintaining weight and avoiding obesity-related ailments such as heart disease. While obesity involves having too much fat in the body, low-fat diets...
Tilapia is a mild-flavored, white fish that is available year round because it is farmed in the U.S., Brazil, Costa Rica, Hondurus and Equador. Tilapia is lean and low in calories, and contains essential nutrients and fatty aci...
After one bite of a crispy, caramelized sweet potato wedge, you'll never go back to deep-fried white potatoes again. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, low in fat, packed with vitamins A and C and naturally sweet enough to satis...
With its cake-like texture and rich flavor, brioche pairs well with coffee, tea or jam. Brioche originated in Brie, a region in northern France famous for Brie cheese. The cheese was once commonly added to the dough to enhance ...
Wild rice, despite the name, isn't actually a rice; although a close relative, it's a different type of whole grain. Wild rice has a chewier texture and stronger taste as well as a higher protein content than brown rice, the mo...
Corn syrup and vegetable oil can both contain corn, but that's where the similarity ends. Corn syrup, a sweetener, contains carbohydrates, while vegetable oil, which contains corn as well as oils from other plants, such as cott...
Served at Chinese New Year celebrations, dumplings are thought to bring good fortune and wealth for the upcoming year. Whole Foods offers its own recipe for Hunan dumplings, using pork and traditional spices. Although these dum...
A salad made with kani, or imitation crab, cucumber and mayonnaise is light and refreshing. The kani is shredded, mixed with cucumbers and mayonnaise, then presented on a bed of assorted greens. Easy to make, it is packed full ...
Beef tenderloin is a short section of muscle that runs from under the cow’s inner rib to its rear end. Because this region of muscle gets minimal exercise, tenderloin meat is extremely tender and naturally moist. Not surp...
Tomatillos are small, green fruit with a papery husk. Contrary to what their name indicates, tomatillos are not related to tomatoes. Instead, they are part of the gooseberry family. These fruit are often used in Mexican cooking...
Agave is a natural sweetener made from the blue agave or similar succulents, commonly found in Mexico. Agave syrup contains the same number of calories as sugar per teaspoon. However, because agave is sweeter than table sugar, ...
By definition, summer sausage is a blend of spiced muscle, fat and organ meat encased in a single casing. Smoking summer sausage creates a flavorful, pasteurized meat that accents anything from pizza to pasta. Absorbing smoky a...
Snacking gets an undeservedly bad reputation. Downing minimally nutritious, sugary foods throughout the day isn’t a wise dietary choice, but eating a light snack between meals actually supports healthy weight loss while p...
Black truffle oil is a savory, earthy oil made from black truffles, a variety of mushroom with a distinctive woody flavor. Truffle oil, like truffles, is very expensive. However, most black truffle oil is very concentrated and ...
Packaged lunch meat stays fresh for between three and five days in a refrigerator once it is opened, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Appropriate storage is essential to the taste, shelf life and safety...
Cooking a full Thanksgiving meal, whether it’s just for a few people or a big group of friends and family, can be a daunting task, especially if it’s your first time. Along with proper preparation and planning your ...
Grilled salmon is a healthy entree, full of omega-3 fatty acids that can lower your risk of developing heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. A 3-ounce serving of sockeye salmon contains 121 calories, 4.8 g...
Spice up your meats and vegetables by soaking them in a marinade before cooking. Marinating adds oodles of flavor without adding a lot of calories and fats. If you are diabetic or have food restrictions, marinating is an excell...
With their slightly salty and meaty flavor, mussels are a relatively low-fat source of protein, iron and vitamin B12. Their flavor works with a variety of other ingredients, ranging from coconut milk to tomatoes. They cook quic...
Homemade granola is a sweet and hearty snack that adds fiber to your diet. Making granola takes a lot of time. Granola can take four to five hours in the slow cooker, or a few hours in the oven, according to Beth Hensperger and...
Buying and preparing cuts of ham can be confusing because of the many types and cuts of ham. The half butt ham is a cut of ham that comes from the upper portion of the leg of the pig. This cut is meatier and simpler to carve th...
When compared with all-purpose flour, oat flour contains more protein, dietary fiber and calcium, making it a healthful ingredient substitution. If you want to make your own oat flour, blend oatmeal in your food processor or bl...
Adding a rice paper topper or decorations to a cake creates a dramatic presentation for a decadent dessert. You should always ice the cake before adding the decorations because the rice paper is delicate and susceptible to tear...
Millet and quinoa are whole grains, meaning that they contain the entire grain kernel -- the bran, endosperm and germ. Technically, quinoa, which is related to beets, spinach and chard, classifies as a pseudo-grain because it's...
Trout are a plentiful species of fish that can be found in rivers and streams worldwide. Grilled trout are a good source of vitamin B12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorous, manganese and selenium. These fish have delicat...
You don't need special equipment to make tasty sausage links. A simple meat grinder or a piping bag will work almost as well. Using pre-made sausage stuffing mix makes the job a little easier. Stuffing a sausage takes a bit of ...
Resveratrol is such a plant compound, or phytonutrient, found in red wine and dark-skinned grapes. You can avoid the negative effects of alcohol consumption if you take resveratrol extract instead of drinking red wine. Not much...
Though high in fat, peanuts contain no cholesterol and high levels of polyunsaturated fats. This makes them a nutritious, high-energy snack when eaten in moderation. The hull, however, has no real nutritional benefits for human...
Without drying, a fresh oyster mushroom lasts only 5 to 7 days before it turns bad, according to the University of Kentucky Extension. However, if you dry your mushrooms correctly, you can store them for 6 months or more before...
Neither pouring rain nor limited grill space should prevent you from grilling ears of corn. A traditional outdoor grill cooks food with a single, direct heat source. Grilling corn in a conventional oven requires refocusing the ...
The shiitake mushroom originated in Asia and was used in herbal remedies as far back as A.D. 100, according to the American Cancer Society. These edible fungi are perishable and can only be stored for up to two weeks in the ref...
From tofu french toast to toasted tofu patties, this product of coagulated soy milk is one of the most versatile modern vegetarian foods available. Toasting your tofu lets you infuse this protein- and vitamin-packed food with t...
Protein powder is beneficial health food for active people, but it’s viewed by many as a one-trick pony: a musclehead’s concoction meant only to be mixed in a shaker bottle and gulped down quickly. Few realize how v...
Tofu, also known as soya curd, is a common Asian food. To make tofu, you curdle soya milk with nigari, a coagulant. Although tofu alone can be bland, it absorbs spices and other flavors well, which makes it a good addition to s...
It's not unusual to buy a spice you use only occasionally and then keep it stored in the cabinet for years -- or decades. However, spices or seasonings lose their flavor if you don't use them within a certain amount of time. W...
Cauliflower -- rich in important nutrients, low in calories and packed with flavor -- isn't difficult to freeze, and the frozen cauliflower florets are ready to cook or to incorporate into soups, stews and baked dishes. When ca...
Brine, a solution of salt and water, is useful in preserving many different foods, including seafood, meats, legumes and vegetables. Salt serves to regulate the process of fermentation, retarding the growth of microorganisms th...
Drying is an effective way to preserve a bounty of red bell peppers, which are simply green bell peppers that are allowed to ripen on the vine. The additional ripening time results in a bright red color and a sweeter flavor. On...
Herbs and spices alone don't provide adequate preservation of foods, although some have anti-microbial effects which might help slow bacterial growth. While a large number of herbs and spices do exert antimicrobial and antioxid...
Even the simplest loaf of bread represents an amazing array of chemical changes. Turning yeast, finely ground wheat and water into a crusty, aromatic loaf is a fascinating example of kitchen science. While some amount of shrink...
When breaded chicken breasts are deep-fried, the result is moist, flavorful chicken with a light, crispy outer coating. An old-fashioned cooking method, deep-fat frying is often shunned because of the large amount of fat invol...
Cooking a whole pig in an outdoor pit has a long history in the United States, where the Polynesians of Hawaii and the pre-Civil War South both developed methods for barbecuing hogs whole. Today there a countless methods for pr...
Knowing the sugar content of drinks can have important health implications. For example, men who drank just one 12-ounce sugary drink a day were 20 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack over a 22-year period than men who...
Pickling is a traditional method of preserving fresh raw vegetables, fruits and herbs. This method uses vinegars, spices and salt to prevent certain foods from spoiling. Pickling does not require heating, cooking or processing ...
Cast iron cookware has been used for thousands of years. A cast iron pan never wears out. Many have been handed down for generations and are still in daily use. The only disadvantage to cast iron cookware is that it is heavy. B...
