These days, local supermarkets are stocked with a variety of healthier thickening alternatives to all-purpose flour that won't break the bank -- and might even cost less. Starches are a great option and there are many to choose from.

When you want to cook dinner for one or two people, turning on your full-sized oven isn't always practical. Large ovens use lots of energy, which can increase your energy bill as well as heat up your house during the warmer months. Fortunately, a toaster oven can do a lot more than make toast.

Ingestion of brown rice or its products sometimes causes allergic reactions. This may result from contamination or the inclusion of food additives derived from sources other than rice.

The most important trick to baking red velvet cake from a box is hiding the box and passing it off as your own.

Garbanzo beans -- or chickpeas -- are the most commonly consumed legume in the world. Garbanzos are a good source of vitamins B6, C and zinc. They’re high in complex carbohydrates and fiber, and are an excellent source of protein.

Sweet and fudge-like, brownies are a classic bake sale treat or dressed-up dessert. While cookies and cakes typically rely on baking powder as leavening, brownies require less leavening and can be made with baking soda in place of baking powder.

The number of total carbohydrates in a product includes both sugar and fiber. If you are trying to reduce your sugar intake in general, knowing what proportion of your carbohydrate intake is sugar allows you to track how you’re doing and adjust your eating habits, if necessary.

Lentils are a healthy, versatile food rich in vitamins, fiber and minerals. Cooked lentils can be served as a side dish to a variety of different meals including roasted or baked meats, fish or vegetarian options like tofu, and they can also be used to spruce up salads, soups and rice dishes.

Frozen bread is a convenient way to enjoy the taste of freshly baked bread. You can also make and then freeze the dough to keep it fresh until you are ready to use it. Store-bought frozen bread usually comes in two varieties: self-rising dough and ready-to-bake bread.

Corn chowder, corn fritters, corn souffles and corn quesadillas are just a few of the many delicious dishes you can make with canned corn.

Oregano, or Origanum vulgare, is a low-growing herbaceous plant with aromatic leaves, often used for flavoring dishes. Though best known for its characteristic use on pizzas, oregano is also used in various traditions of herbal medicine, and it graces many an herb garden, where its strong aroma keeps away insect pests.

Swordfish are saltwater fish that are found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. They have a thick, oily fillet that stands up well to high heat, making them the ideal fish to grill or broil.