Editorial Team

32 Posts
About Nutmeg

About Nutmeg

Highly aromatic nutmeg is one og the oldest cultivated spices. It is the hard stone of the fruit of the nutmeg tree and is covered with a lacy, red webbing that is harvested as a separate spice, mace. Once nutmeg is grated, its volatile oils quickly begin to evaporate and its flavor diminish. So it is better to buy whole nutmegs, rather than pre-ground, and you can grate nutmeg as needed. Use nutmeg grater, a tool with fine, sharp rasps and a small compartment for storing one or two nutmegs, or the finest rasps on a shredder-grater.
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Whipping Egg Whites

Whipping Egg Whites

Whipped egg whites act as the leavening for angel food and other sponge cakes. For successful whipping, the bowl and the beaters must be perfectly clean, because even a trace of fat prevents good loft. It is also important to start with room temperature egg whites. Sugar or cream of tartart is often added during whipping to help stabilize the egg whites. To test if the egg whites are whipped to the desired finish, lift the beaters and if you want to have soft peaks form, it should droop over gently and look wet. But if you want to have…
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How to Use Coconut Milk

How to Use Coconut Milk

Coconut milk, which is made by soaking grated coconut in water, is sold in cans or frozen in well stocked grocery stores. It is available in full-fat and reduced-fat forms. Do not confuse it with sweetened coconut cream, sometimes labeled "cream of coconut", Use unsweetened desiccated or dried, coconut for the buttercream and for decorating the sides of the cake. To toast dried coconut, spread on a baking pan lined with parchment paper or baking paper and toast in 180 C or 350 F oven for about 3 minutes.
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Seasoning An Oven

Seasoning An Oven

Untreated cast iron rusts, especially around water. To prevent metal from oxidising in the presence of moisture, cast iron requires a process called seasoning. Seasoning is simply the procedure of baking oil into the oven's pores, and on top of the iron pores. This baked on coating will darken and eventually turn black with age. Darkening is the sign of a well kept oven, and of it's use. This coating forms a barrier between moisture in the air and the surface of the metal. It also provides a non-stick coating on the inside of the oven that is easy to…
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What is Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder?

What is Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder?

Chocolate is made by crushing roasted cocoa beans into bits or nibs, to produce what is known as chocolate liquor. To make unsweetened cocoa powder, much of the cocoa butter (the fat of chocolate) is removed from the liquor and what remains is ground. Dutch processed cocoa, or alkalized cocoa, has a mild flavor and a rich, dark color due to the addition of potassium carbonate. Non-alkalized cocoa has a bolder taste and lighter color. Dutch processed cocoa reacts with the baking soda in devil's food cake batter to give the cake its distinctive reddish brown color.
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Tips Adding Eggs to Cake Batter

Tips Adding Eggs to Cake Batter

One of the secrets to making a good cake is blending the eggs well into the batter. You have to start with room temperature eggs. If the eggs are cold, the batter will separate, resulting in a heavier cake. Do not add the eggs directly to the mixer bowl. Instead, crack them into a separate bowl then break them up with the fork, and with the mixer on medium speed, drizzle them in slowly, stopping frequently to let the batter absorb them. If the batter begins to look curdled, increase the mixer speed to high and beat until the batter…
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Cupcake Tips

Cupcake Tips

Quick tips for easy cupcakes : 1. For an easy topping, use whipped cream as frosting on your cupcakes. 2. To add a quick filling, cut a small cone shape from the top of the cupcake and fill it with marshmallow creme. Then, cut off the pointed end of the cone and replace the cone over the filling. It's a fun alternative to frosting and can be easily packed in lunches. 3. Cake flour produces lighter cupcakes. If a recipe uses cake flour and you don't have any, use 1 cup all-purpose flour minus 2 tablespoons for each cup of…
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How to Keep Clean Food Fresher Longer

After you've stocked up on healthy fare, you're going to want to make sure it lasts. Here are few tips for keeping your clean food fresher longer : 1. Stock up on glass containers in all sizes and shapes. 2. Store oats, rice, dried legumes and baking supplies in labeled, air tight glass containers. 3. Keep oils and spices in a cool, dark place. 4. Dont keep leftovers for longer than 3 days. 5. Keep tomatoes on the counter, but separate from bananas. 6. Keep your nuts and seeds in the fridge or freezer to keep them from going rancid.…
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How to Brew Perfect Tea

How to Brew Perfect Tea

Make sure your tea has been properly stored. The best way to store tea is in an airtight container, at a constant temperature, away from light, moisture, and other odors. Once exposed to air, tea leaves quickly lose flavor. Keep bulk teas in a large container, and use a smaller one for daily tea use, so you don’t have to keep opening the large container. Use fresh, cool, oxygenated water. Never use tepid, long-standing, pre-heated or hot tap water. Heat the water and pour it directly over the leaves. (Use about one teaspoon of tea per cup.) For green teas,…
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What is Oatmeal ?

What is Oatmeal ?

You do love oatmeal, right? And by the way, how to decide which type of oats to add to your breakfast in the morning? To have the most benefit of oats you must remember that the less processing the go through the healthier they are. Below are the different types of oats from least to most processed: 1. Groats Groats are minimally processed whole oats with just the outer hull removed. They are quite chewy and need a good soaking before use. Groats also take some time to cook. The groats are loaded with nutrients, try throwing some in your…
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