A great recipe is only as good when you’re using top-notch ingredients, no ifs and buts – that is what other dedicated cooks will lead you to believe. But what if you don’t have that one ingredient that will add the depth of flavor that you want just because it is unavailable or not in season at the moment? Take, for instance, a shallot. A what?! Continue reading
It seems that everywhere you turn nowadays, there is an article or recipe featuring a fantastic type of squash that has been populating our grocery aisles. It is the butternut squash! Be it pureed, steamed, grilled and even microwaved butternut squash recipes are all the rage in social media posts, blogs and even how to cook it videos. This type of squash has been growing in popularity lately, you will understand why all the hype behind this lovely veggie in a few moments. Continue reading
Imagine this: You’ve got guests coming over for dinner, and your famous homemade lasagna is on the menu. People who have tried your lasagna have nothing but praise about your cooking skills. You head over to the supermarket to shop for fresh ingredients but alas – the ricotta cheese that made your dish so delectable is out of stock! You quickly wrack your brains for a ricotta cheese replacement so you can still make lasagna without having to compromise its taste. You ask yourself, “What would be a good replacement for ricotta cheese?” Continue reading
It is the bane of every dedicated frequent home cooks and bakers when a recipe calls for a specific ingredient and then finding out that you don’t have the said ingredient in your pantry. Especially if the recipe calls for something specific and hard to find ingredients like shortening. Shortening is a crucial ingredient that when mixed into the dough, makes the pie crusts, tarts and other baked goods crumblier and softer. Although many seem to believe that it is irreplaceable, there are a few products you can use as a substitute for shortening. Continue reading
They say that man has three basic needs: shelter, clothing, and food. Out of the three, food is an essential commodity we all need to survive the hustle and bustle of everyday life. As much as we need food to live, we also need spices to give the food we eat that nice kick and much-needed flavor. Did you know that spices have been used by people from all around the world for thousands of years? Spices are not only known to add seasoning, but they also possess microbial properties. Continue reading