Category "ingredient-selection"

What does the halal label mean to non-muslims for non-meat foods?

For example kosher berries or salad are checked more thoroughly for insects than usual as far as I know, so could be attractive to non-jews who don't want to ac

Why do small things taste better than big things?

Small berries have more flavor than large berries, small scallops have more flavor than large scallops, cherry tomatoes have more flavor than beefsteak tomatoes

Are dry or fresh whelks the better choice for whelk soup (響螺湯)?

When making whelk soup (響螺湯), should I use fresh or dried whelks? Are there reasons to chose one over the other, does it matter at all, and

What oyster species is 砵酒焗生蠔?

Picture from Hong Kong restaurant. Hence oyster can be bought in H.K. What oyster species I buy to make this 砵酒焗蠔, which means Port

Food dye to simulate stained glass

I have a recipe for stained glass crepes, now my question is this:what food coloring could be used to simulate stained glass for said crepes? READY IN: 1hr 10mi

How can I tell whether my potatoes are waxy vs. floury?

Once in a while I get hold of a bunch of potatoes without any labeling and the least I want to know is whether they are waxy or floury. Is there a way to determ

What can you surmise about coffee beans that have oil on them at the time of purchase?

I find myself favoring the purchase of coffee beans that have visible oil on them. My inference was that this bean had some extra flavor or awesomeness. Am I

How much "compounded" asafoetida to use?

I have a UK-Indian recipe that calls for asafoetida (1/4 teaspoons). I have bought this: This says it is "compounded" asafoetida powder. Is this any different

How important are ingredient ratios in pasta-making (as compared to baking)?

It's well-known that the ratios of ingredients matter a lot in baking -- tiny changes in ingredient ratios can create big changes in the quality of results. How

Potato for a purpose

I noticed that my super market sells packaged potatoes for different purposes, for example they sell: potatoes for a salad potatoes for baking potatoes for fryi

Did post-war Hovis bread contain treacle or black strap molasses?

I totally concur with the opinion of YouTube chef Titli Nihan that the modern Hovis loaf tastes nothing like the bread I remember as a child. TN has an interest

What are the benefits of dried ingredients?

I've been cooking from Every Grain of Rice: Simple Chinese Home Cooking, and I most recently made Braised Chicken with Dried Shiitake Mushrooms. This made me wo

Trying to recreate my grandmother's buttermilk biscuits

My grandmother made the best biscuits in the world. She made them 7 days a week, and cooked them on a cast iron skillet without any sides. They were always pe