Cooking & Baking Tips: Healthy Fats, Grain Prep & Substitutes

Mastering the kitchen involves understanding healthy fat profiles, variety-specific grain preparation, and safe food handling techniques.

The Signs & Symptoms of a Cayenne Pepper Allergy

Cayenne, also called capsicum, generally refers to red peppers with pungent to hot and spicy flavors. The spiciness of cayenne depends on the concentration of capsaicinoids, alkaloid compounds that irritate skin and mucous membranes.

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oatmeal cookies

How to Bake With Instant Oatmeal

Instant oatmeal is different than regular oatmeal because it is thinly cut, processed and flavored. Instant oats are fast to prepare alone but tricky to incorporate into baking. They do not lend the same structure to baked goods as regular oats or quick oats.

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Kudzu

How to Cook & Eat Kudzu

Kudzu is a green, blossoming vine native to Japan and China. In 1876, farmers brought kudzu to America to feed livestock and prevent soil erosion. Kudzu took root so well in the Southeastern U.S. that the U.S. Department of Agriculture now considers it a weed.

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Purple bean feijoada

How to Thicken Ham and Beans

Ham and bean recipes are versatile and inexpensive. If you find yours is too runny, you have several options for making it thicker. Try adding breadcrumbs, cream or pureed vegetables to make a heartier ham and beans. If you don't have any extra ingredients, you can add a vegetable-based starch.

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