Baked goods generally rely on a chemical leavener, baking soda, baking powder, or yeast for lift. Without some sort of leavener, most baked goods would be very dense and very flat. When shopping, make sure to check the expiration dates and be conscientious about how to store them in the kitchen. Baking Soda Baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda, is an ALKALI used as a leavener in baked goods. When combined with an acid ingredient such as buttermilk, yogurt, or molasses, baking soda produces carbon dioxide gas bubbles, thereby, causing a dough or batter to rise. It also neutralizes acidity and produces tender baked goods. Because it reacts…
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Embracing Healthy Fats and Oils
Examining how we consume fats, our dietary needs, cooking, and digesting are key to recognizing healthy fats and oils. Not all dietary fats are created equal, but fat is one of the body’s basic nutrients providing energy by furnishing calories. Fat nutrients’ main roles are to provide storage fuel for the body, but they are also involved in the absorption of some vitamins, help to control inflammation, and also in blood clotting. You do not have to be afraid of “FATS,” it can be a superfood when used properly. It is the quality of the fat which matters. When shopping, can you pick out the healthy fats and oils? Types…
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15 Ideas to Help Your Baking Skills Rise
I categorize baking and cooking as two different techniques, mainly because, I typically do not get excited about baking. However, baking is one of the most wholesome and therapeutic hobbies out there. You learn new skills, have plenty of fun, and impress your guests at dinner parties if you are a really good baker. Whether you’re totally new to baking or you’ve already got a few tricks up your sleeve, these tools and tips will help you make progress with your baking adventures. 9 Apps for Improving your baking skills Baking Recipes The Baking Recipes app is the perfect tool to improve your baking game! From classic recipes to new…
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12 Steps to Eating Smarter & Feeling Healthy
Everyone, including me, wants to eat smarter and feel more healthy. With every news report we hear, we become increasingly aware of the link between our health and what we eat. Heck, that is the main reason I started this blog nearly 5 years ago. My recent lab work after my routine physical check-up emphasized a few areas of improvement for me… despite my high HDL cholesterol, I still need to lower my LDL. I am at risk for prediabetes. I need to lose some weight. I believe some of you share these issues too, whether you know it or not. Therefore, I want to share my doctor’s advice she…
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Tips for Flavorful Cooking Experimentation
Cooking is not only a great skill to learn on its own but it’s also a fantastic way to keep yourself occupied during a pandemic. I use recipes frequently, some of you might recall several years ago when I did my own little cooking experimentation; I did not repeat a single meal for a year. When it comes to food, I improvise quite a bit, using a recipe for “flavor inspiration” based on what I have available in the house at the time. Part of my reasoning for starting a blog was to help home cooks elevate their cooking abilities by learning the basics of preparing food and how to…
