Baking soda can act as a tenderizer for dried beans. Dried beans that just won't get tender, despite following soaking and simmering directions to the minute, are typically caused by hard water, beans that are old, or beans that have been improperly stored.

The tiny seeds of the sesame plant are an important source of cooking oil in Asia and elsewhere. For enthusiasts looking to cook Chinese food at home, buying a bottle of sesame oil is mandatory. However, there are two different kinds of sesame oil: the clear, or pure, kind; and the dark kind.

The key to perfectly moist brownies is making sure they cook for exactly the right amount of time, says recipe creator Rochelle Palermo in "Bon Appetit" magazine. Overcook your brownies -- even by just a couple of minutes -- and they'll lose that rich, fudge-like moistness.

Typical instructions for cooking rice on the stove include covering the rice after it boils. This steams the rice in addition to simmering.

Frozen burritos are a versatile food that satisfy your appetite in a hurry. Most frozen burrito packages have instructions for both microwaving and baking in conventional ovens. Microwaving a burrito results in a softer tortilla, while cooking in the oven gives a crispier shell.

Snow peas are delicate peas with edible pods. They have a crisp, mild flavor that blends well with other flavors in vegetable medleys or stir-fries. Snow peas can be prepared a variety of ways, including steaming, stir-frying or boiling.

Vegetables are an important part of a healthy, balanced nutrition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that fruits and vegetables help control your appetite, help prevent cancer and other chronic diseases.

The black-eyed pea, also known as the black-eyed bean or cowpea, is a medium-sized edible bean that gets its name from the black spot found on every bean. Originating in Northern Africa, the bean is a staple food in many countries and is a part of "soul food"

Once relegated to become ground beef, tri-tips have gained favor with cooks who use smokers to produce flavorful barbecue from marginally tender cuts of beef. This cut is best cooked medium rare with a pink center; its dense fiber dries out easily and becomes stringy at higher temperatures.

Whether you are cooking Arborio, basmati or risotto, your Rival rice cooker can consistently deliver a fluffy serving of grains if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Although features and capacity vary by model, most Rival rice cookers are constructed similarly and operate under the same general principles.

Black-eyed peas, also referred to as cowpeas, are a type of legume, which is a vegetable class that also includes beans and lentils. Black-eyed peas provide a low-fat source of protein and make a nice meat substitute. Black-eyed peas are a good source of iron, potassium, folate, magnesium and fiber.

For the harried home cook, appliances such as slow cookers and electric countertop roasters are a boon. Not only are they easy and convenient to use, they won't heat your kitchen the way a full-sized oven does when making dishes that require long, slow cooking.