Category: Cooking basics

Properly cooking dried beans in a pressure cooker can reduce cooking time from hours to minutes, but many people worry about safety. The good news is that, with the right techniques, it is safe to cook almost all types of beans in a pressure cooker, provided you understand the specific risks associated with certain varieties.

For most cooking applications, olive oil can be substituted for vegetable oil using a simple 1:1 ratio. This makes seamless kitchen substitutions possible, but understanding the nuance behind using a particular type of olive oil and factoring in its flavor profile is key to a successful dish.

Salt is the most important seasoning in cooking, yet using the wrong type can ruin a dish. Correct salt depends on the dish's flavor, texture, and cooking method, from brining meat to finishing a dessert.

The modern American hash brown, a beloved breakfast staple, traces its roots back to the Swiss dish *Rösti*. What ingredients go into hash browns typically involves just a few fundamental components, but the right combination is key to achieving that signature crispy texture and savory flavor.

According to the FDA, most flour is a raw food and has not been treated to kill bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella. This means that despite its processed appearance, all-purpose flour is not cooked and poses a risk of foodborne illness if consumed raw. Understanding this fundamental safety fact is crucial for anyone handling flour in the kitchen.

According to Tesco, 125g of uncooked rice weighs approximately 312g when cooked, demonstrating a significant increase due to water absorption. The final weight of 125g of cooked rice, however, varies depending on the rice type, cooking method, and the amount of water absorbed during the process.

According to dietary guidelines, a standard adult serving is often considered 1/2 cup of cooked rice. Figuring out how much rice do you do for one person involves considering the meal type and the kind of rice you're preparing.

According to research published by the University of Mississippi, the amount of sugar in sweet tea can be staggeringly high, with some versions containing more than a can of soda. Yet, for many, this sugary concoction is a beloved classic, and the question remains: what truly makes sweet tea, sweet tea? While black tea is a core component, the defining factor is the sweetener added during the brewing process.

According to NDTV, chewing fresh sugarcane can provide health benefits like boosting hydration and aiding digestion, unlike its more processed alternatives. However, for those unfamiliar with the process, understanding how to eat sugar cane raw safely can seem intimidating due to its hard, fibrous exterior. With the right technique, this sweet tropical treat can be enjoyed directly from the stalk.

While both pancetta and bacon originate from the same cut of pork, their production processes diverge significantly after the initial curing. It is this fundamental difference—whether the pork is smoked or left unsmoked—that gives each product its unique flavor, texture, and culinary role. The choice between the Italian classic and its American counterpart depends entirely on the intended flavor profile of the dish.