Informational Guides

The humble onion can be found in almost every kitchen and remains a staple in everyday cooking. As well as being incredibly juicy and acidic, onions are delicious and are great for bulking up pasta dishes or served raw in a summer salad.  However, it may come as a surprise to know that some people avoid eating onions for all sorts of reasons. Why would you want to substitute onions?

Paprika is a type of ground spice that comes from the plant Capsicum annum. The sweeter red peppers are dried and ground to create this spice. These peppers are native to Central Mexico and North America and were taken to Portugal and Spain in the 16th century.  Paprika is primarily used as a colorant and seasoning in a lot of savory dishes. It is commonly found sprinkled on top of

If you don’t have tomato sauce on hand, but the dish that you wanted to make requires it, then it can be helpful to have a backup plan in place. Thankfully, there are lots of different things that you can use as a substitute for tomato sauce, and if you find yourself without it, you can whip up some quick recipes to save your meal. Tomato sauce is probably one

Sour cream is a great, versatile dairy product that can add the finishing touch to copious recipes, especially when it comes to making homemade nachos, chili or the base for French onion dip!  You might think of sour cream as a staple in Mexican cooking, yet it can be used for so much more!  Sour cream is not only great for burritos and tacos, but it is also a fantastic

Potato salad is a simple and straightforward dish that is loved by many, and you can add lots of different ingredients to make it the perfect dish. If you find yourself with some potato salad leftovers, then you might be left wondering if you can freeze potato salad to make it last even longer, and thankfully, you can do just that. In this article, we are going to tell you

The core tenants of bread making have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. In fact, bread is considered one of the oldest foods not found ready-made in the wild. It requires three fundamental ingredients: water, yeast, and flour...bread flour to be exact, but what are your options if you don’t have any bread flour? Well, it may interest you to know that while bread has been around for centuries,

Lunch meat, luncheon meat, deli meat, cold cuts, whatever you call these yummy slices of meat, chances are you’ve wondered if there is a way of saving them for another day. We all know how easy it is to buy too much. Whether we’ve overestimated how many sandwiches we need to make for a week or have some leftovers from a charcuterie board we’ve made, there’s nothing worse than condemning

It’s quite possible you’ve eaten fish sauce before without even knowing it; it’s a staple ingredient in Southeast Asian cuisine, giving such meals as Pad Thai and Larb an incendiary synergy of sweet and salty brilliance that you’ll not soon forget. A taste sensation this dynamic and tastebud tingling should be enjoyed by absolutely everyone, but it’s not always possible. Fish sauce isn’t just a blend of ingredients that really

We all know the pain of getting your hot, golden, crispy fries home only to discover they have turned limp and soggy. Particularly in a year when we are all staying at home more, making restaurant-quality food from the comfort of your own kitchen has bever been more important. Is there actually a way to save your potato mush? We are here to give you the run-down on how to

Fennel is a strange vegetable with a very powerful taste. When you first bite into fennel, you might be surprised by just how strongly the taste resembles licorice.Interestingly, fennel doesn’t have any association with licorice or the aniseed which gives it its flavor.This licorice-like taste can be very dividing. Licorice is definitely a flavor that people will either completely love or completely avoid.But, even those who enjoy a licorice rope

Is there anything better than the delicious taste of gooey, homemade brownies? If you’re in a bind without any vegetable oil to make your favorite brownie recipe, it isn’t the end of the world!  Brownies are an incredibly versatile dessert, especially when it comes to the ingredients that go into making them. In fact, there are many other methods and ingredients you can use to achieve just as yummy homemade

Dry mustard is a fantastic and versatile ingredient used most prominently for delicious rub blends. Mix it with some paprika, and sage for some dynamite chicken, combine it with some dill, salt, and brown sugar for some delectable fish dishes, or pair it with thyme, rosemary, and ground black pepper for preparing a juicy cut of beef. Amazing as it is, though, it’s undoubtedly one of those ingredients that often

Fenugreek is a plant that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. In this area of the world, it is more commonly referred to as methi. More than 80% of India’s entire fenugreek export is grown in Rajasthan. Fenugreek leaves are not only used to add flavor, they have also been used traditionally as a medicine. It is said that boiling 1 cup of fenugreek leaves with 2 cups of water

Mushrooms are a staple of many different cuisines around the world; they’re loved for their earthy taste and meat-like texture, which also makes them a popular ingredient in vegetarian and vegan dishes.  However, there are hundreds of different types of edible mushrooms out there, and it would be a shame to just stick to one variety all of the time. This article aims to explore the different types of edible

Cabbage, one of the most versatile vegetables around,  even coming in flower form! But today, we want to talk to you about the main, and let’s be fair, delicious use of cabbage.You can do so much with cabbage, you can have cabbage soup, cabbage stew, boil it and have it with a lovely chicken dinner plate, turn it into coleslaw, put it in a salad, sautee it and turn it

Marsala is a fortified wine from the Sicilian region of Marsala. There are dry and sweet varieties. It is widely used in cooking, both savory and sweet dishes. The production of Marsala wine is strictly watched by the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC). This is a branch of the Italian government and is done to ensure the integrity of all products labeled Marsala wine.  It was first created in 1773

Ground beef is an excellent ingredient because it can be used in so many different dishes. It is a versatile type of meat that is easy to cook, and thoroughly enjoyable in any dish that it is an ingredient in. With meat that is so easy to cook and so yummy to eat, the last thing you want is for your ground beef to go to waste because you were

An ideal accompaniment to just about any meal, or just wonderful as it is with some butter, bread is beloved globally. But it doesn’t just appear in one standardized form! Although we typically use it to fill with other ingredients, as the sturdy vessel that makes or breaks a sandwich, there are so many other reasons to enjoy bread, and a whole world of options to check out.Today we’ll be taking

Rice is one of the most universally important parts of a multitude of dishes. It is also one of the trickiest foods to cook if you have not perfected cooking it on a hob. Kitchen appliances such as a rice cooker are an exceptional addition to any household, as it makes the process of cooking rice much easier. However, if you have not put in the right amount of water,

You may not believe this but milk is one of the healthiest foods in our whole diet! So many recipes will include milk and no restaurant can run without the use of it. Of course, everyone uses their preferred choice, be it whole milk or skim milk.  There are different types of milk too such as powdered milk. The fact you are reading this probably means you have allergies or

Potatoes are one of the most reliable foodstuffs that you can find in your pantry or fridge, keeping for months on end in a cool, dark place without rotting or turning sour. They are also incredibly versatile, being transformed into hundreds of other different kinds of dishes quickly and easily. You can boil, broil, mash, bake, grill and roast potatoes with tasty results. You can put them in a salad

Have you ever wondered how many different foods out there start with the letter F? Well, we have! We managed to find 59 of them, ranging from everyday foods to exotic dishes we’ve never heard of before. Read on to find out what ‘F’ food you should try next.1. FennelThe entirety of the fennel plant is edible, so you’ll never have any waste with this Mediterranean vegetable. Wait. Is it

Mixups between peppers are common occurrences. Sometimes different types look so similar, it would take a certified expert to tell them apart, but no two peppers have fallen so erroneously synonymous than the banana pepper and the pepperoncini pepper.If - like most of us - you’ve spent your entire life believing these peppers were one and the same, get ready for some spicy revelations as we discuss all the things that

Cinnamon is one of the most delicious and aromatic spices in the world. It is also a favorite of almost everyone. Cinnamon can be used in a huge variety of dishes including bakes, mulled wine, curries, and casseroles. Cinnamon is surprisingly versatile but it is mostly used during Christmastime. The slightly sweet and slightly smoky smell of this spice is warming and wholesome. For a lot of people, when they smell

I don’t know about you but I’m hungry just writing this article! Neufchatel and cream cheese are both soft white cheeses but are quite different overall. You have most likely seen cream cheese in countless recipes and most grocery stores. Neufchatel cheese may not be as well known but it is often found in similar packaging to cream cheese and in the same food section. Over the years, many chefs

Grenadine syrup is a commonly used, non-alcoholic bar syrup traditionally made of pomegranates and is often used to make a variety of cocktails, such as Sea Breeze, Tequila Sunrise, and many other delicious cocktail and mocktail recipes you want to add a splash of color to.Grenadine syrup is red in color and is characterized by its sweet and tart taste that comes from refreshing pomegranate juice. Grenadine syrup is prepared

Cornstarch is a pure starch powder that is extracted from corn kernels by removing their outer bran and germ, which subsequently leaves behind the starch-rich endosperm.  Cornstarch is a common household ingredient that is used for a plethora of reasons in the kitchen. When starch is heated, it's very good at absorbing water, giving cornstarch its primary purpose as a thickening agent for an array of different sauces, fillings, and

Cheesecloth is primarily used during cheese making and cooking. The material is a loose woven gauze-like cloth that is very much like cotton.While it was primarily used to wrap homemade cheese, it has since evolved into a helpful tool that can be used in other recipes. If used during cheesemaking it helps to form the cheese by removing the whey from the curd. Now it is often used to keep meats

Canned tuna is a staple food that deserves its place in everyone’s pantry. It can be used in a number of dishes and it has an excellent shelf life thanks to the sturdy packaging.Canned foods are inexpensive, easy to store, and are excellent backup foods. While the shelf life is longer for canned foods, including tuna, there still is an expiration date on the can to abide by.However, we all have

Ricotta cheese is effortlessly one of the best cheeses that exist. It is incredibly versatile and a guaranteed way to improve any dish that you add it to, which is great when you take a look at all the different dishes that include ricotta cheese in their recipe. But what do you do when you’re mid-way through baking something and go to grab the ricotta cheese from your refrigerator only

Noodles are a staple in Asian cuisine, and they’re now eaten all over the world, whether cooked at home or enjoyed as part of a take-out.  Noodles are made from unleavened dough. The dough is rolled flat and cut and stretched into long strips which can vary in thickness.They’re usually cooked in boiling water, but can also be pan-fried or deep-fried. Noodle dishes are frequently served with fried vegetables, meat,

Many gluten-free, paleo, and keto recipes on the internet substitute almond flour for regular plain. Unless you do a lot of gluten-free baking, it is rather unlikely that you will just have almond flour lying about your house.  Nut flours are tricky to work with as they absorb a different ratio of liquids compared to regular flours. They have no gluten and do not create the same finished product. Where

Shortening is used for a variety of different baking purposes, and it can commonly be found in lots of different baking recipes. If you like to bake a lot, then you might find that your supplies have quickly diminished and that you are now in need of some shortening alternatives to make the recipes work. Thankfully, there are quite a few different substitutes that you can choose from, and we

Tuna is one of the most versatile foods - it can be the star of the show or a helping hand for flavor. You can even put it in salads to give them more oomph! While fresh tuna has a pretty poor shelf life, canned tuna is a different story altogether.  Thanks to the processing and preservation, canned tuna will last in your pantry for months. You might be wondering

Are you planning on making a delicious roast or stew? Maybe you’re looking to mix things up in the kitchen and want to experiment a bit more. If so, you will probably come across beef broth in some ingredients.  Beef broth, also known as beef stock, is a liquid made out of boiled ox bones, celery, carrots, onions, herbs, and vinegar. It has a very rich taste which is perfect

Is there anything better than a pile of food covered in delicious, crispy, golden breadcrumbs? I’m really not so sure there is. From deep-fried brie to breaded chicken nuggets to panko-coated aubergine in a katsu sauce, breadcrumbs bring our foodie dreams to life! But what happens when you can’t eat breadcrumbs or don’t have any? It’s a common occurrence. You’ve prepared everything else, started cooking even, your taste buds are

Oyster sauce is a common ingredient in stir-fries. It is made by cooking oysters in water for a long time. The cooking liquid is then drained and caramelized. This is then combined with sugar, salt, soy sauce, and cornstarch to thicken. Traditionally nothing else was indeed, however most oyster sauces today contain caramel colorings, oyster extract, preservatives, and starches to make the sauce more shelf-stable. It is a commercially produced

It is no surprise that cake is one of the best and favorite options for dessert, as well as being excellent as a snack and to celebrate special occasions. This is because cake comes in many different forms, as there are basically infinite possibilities. Cakes come in different flavors and shapes and are made with different ingredients, methods, and recipes. Truly, there is a cake out there for everyone, able

Arborio rice is a type of short-grain rice that is named after the town of Arborio, in the Po Valley, which is situated in the main region of Piedmont in Italy. It’s also grown in Arkansas, California, and Missouri in the US.    This Italian short-grain rice is frequently used to make risotto - a northern Italian rice dish cooked with broth and slow-cooked to a creamy consistency. Arborio rice

Worcestershire sauce is one of those strange condiments that you just never know exactly how to describe. Is it sweet? Perhaps it's sour?Or maybe it’s salty and savory? We think it’s a mixture of all of these. What we know for sure is that it is a very distinctive taste and one that seems as though it would be pretty difficult to replicate.But is it?In this article, we are going

Freezing food is always difficult. The freezing isn’t so much the issue but the defrosting. Even if something seems to freeze well, will it be okay once it’s defrosted? Tortillas are difficult as foods that are heavy in carbohydrates usually freeze well. For example, bread is definitely great for freezing but that’s only if you’re going to toast it afterward.  The answer is yes, you can freeze tortillas. But only

The great thing about cheese is that there are so many different types of it available. Due to the wide range, there are lots of cheeses that exist in the same family like others, giving you plenty of options if you fancy a change.  Every cheese lover has a specific type of cheese which is their favorite. It might be cream cheese, it might be blue cheese, or it could

Here at The Kitchen Community, we think every cheese is worthy of its own article. Asiago cheese is no different. That delicious, versatile yellow block is wonderful when it’s fresh in a sub or sandwiches. The hardened, mature cheese is the perfect accompaniment to soups, salads, and bread. We all know how tasty it is, but how much else do you know about this delicious cheese? We are going to

While their labels may appear similar, some differences can be identified between heavy whipping cream and whipping cream. Awareness of these differences is important to ensure that they don’t affect the overall taste when added to a particular dish. When browsing the dairy aisle and stumbling upon the vast assortment of different cream choices, it is easy to become confused. With many different types, each differing slightly in taste, consistency,

Once again my life has been saved by the miracle of lasagna - Garfield (Jim Davis)Lasagna wasn’t just one of our family favorites while we were growing up, it was the highlight of our week. Every Friday night after school and work were finished for another week, we’d all sit around the table and talk while we ate mom’s lasagna, the recipe for which had been handed down to her

Catsup, Ketchup they sound pretty similar right and we wouldn't blame you for mistaking them as the same thing. If you've consumed both you may not have noticed a difference between the taste of both condiments and this is because they are terms used to refer to the same product. What are Ketchup and Catsup? Ketchup is a red-colored condiment that compliments the flavor of many meals from hamburgers, fries,

The use of herbs can take your dish to the next level of awesomeness.Seriously, so many people underestimate the brilliance of using herbs while they’re cooking. Basil is no different - it’s vibrant, aromatic, and enhancing! You can use basil both straight from the plant and dried down. While most people prefer using fresh basil, it doesn’t last nearly as long as dried basil does.If you have a sprig of basil

Parsley is one of those herbs that has a very distinctive taste.  Parsley or garden parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is a species of flowering plant native to the central and eastern Mediterranean region, however, it’s now widely found elsewhere in Europe.  The herb can be traced back to the 3rd century BC and is believed to have originally been grown in Sardinia, Italy. Today, it is widely used in European, Middle

Granulated garlic is an ingredient that can be found in lots of different recipes for a variety of different types of dishes. Garlic is able to bring flavor to almost any dish, and it is often used in combination with other herbs and spices. Due to its popularity, you might find that if you are the type of person who cooks from home a lot, then your supply is running

Sashimi and Sushi are two delicious Japanese delicacies, however, they’re often confused with each other. Both of these dishes contain raw fish and are usually served with a soy dipping sauce. However, there are many differences between the two dishes, and in this article, we’ll be outlining 5 vital differences between the two.  Translation  The Japanese word ‘su’ means vinegar and ‘shi’ comes from the Japanese word ‘meshi’, meaning rice.

Oregano is a flavorful herb that can really make a dish shine. However, sometimes you might just love it too much - to the point where your stores have completely run out. It’s too late to go out to the store to pick up some more, and you’re halfway through cooking. What should you do? Not panic - that’s what! We’ve put together a list to get you through your

You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food - Paul Prudhomme  Good company and good food are two of the finer things in life and whenever you get a chance to combine both of them, it’s an opportunity to throw caution to the wind, let your creativity run wild, and celebrate both. And there’s no better way to enjoy being surrounded by the people that you care about

Tasso is a spiced, cured, and smoked ham that is a specialty added to many South Louisiana dishes and is often used in cajun style cuisine. Unlike many other types of meat, tasso is typically eaten when added to meals rather than eaten on its own. It also tends to be added to dishes in smaller quantities or used as a seasoning for soups or other dishes that could benefit

Cheesecloth is the sort of kitchen utensil that you have likely seen on old cookery programs or maybe one of your grandparents used to make their own cheese. Cheesecloth can, of course, be used for making cheese. But it is useful for so many different dishes. Cheesecloth can be used to make oat milk, sauces, juices, and yogurt. Cheesecloth has waned in usage in recent years as few people make

There are so many different foods out there, many that you’ve probably never tried, and knowing about all of these different foods can really help to improve your diet and make your meals more exciting.In this article, we are going to be looking at all of the different foods that begin with the letter D, so you can find out about new and interesting foods that you could include in

Cheese is a scrumptious ingredient loved by many. Who can say no to a gooey grilled cheese sandwich? Or to a pizza piled high with melted cheese toppings with cheese buried in the crust? Cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in so many different recipes that it has become a firm staple in many a refrigerator. Most cheeses are traditionally made from cow’s milk, however, you can

Today we have a fun article for you!  We have included 43 different types of food that begin with the letter I.Whether you are looking for inspiration for a themed dinner party, or you are just interested to know the different foods that begin with the letter I - this article will be interesting. There are so many different types of food available to come, from different cultures from across the

Anchovies are one of the most extreme “love it or hate it” foods. Very few people don’t mind anchovies. They either absolutely love them or wonder how anyone could ever bring themselves to eat them. When it comes to anchovy paste, opinions are even more split. Any food that has been mashed up and made into a paste suddenly becomes more off-putting. Especially when that paste was once a living

There are so many different types of food in the world, that you could dedicate your life to trying new types, and never get through them all! It can be hard to think of all the different types of foods, so it’s always good to take a look at lists of them!Most ingredients and foods you will likely be familiar with, as they will be used daily in common meals

Everyone has those moments where they get to prepare their meal and find that they are out of a certain essential ingredient. There are lots of different substitutes for different food ingredients, and cornmeal is no exception to this. There are many different ingredients that you can use as a substitute for cornmeal, and you might even have some laying around in your kitchen for you to utilize. We are

Olives are truly love ‘em or hate ‘em snacks. But, chances are, if you’re reading this article, you absolutely love them. You will also likely know that there are many different kinds of olives.Two of the most popular are kalamata olives and black olives. But what’s the difference between these two delicious snacks? When ordering a selection of olives in a restaurant, you can never really be sure what you might

Whisky of any kind is a delicious treat for the senses (of people over 21 of course…). Whether you drink it on the rocks, blended in your favorite whisky cocktail, or with your mixer of choice, there is no denying how wonderful that delectable, distinctive flavor is. As great as it tastes, there are many different types of whiskies, and believe it or not, they don’t all taste the same.

Salami is a cured sausage made from fermented and/or air-dried meat. There are an array of different varieties of salami available. Traditionally it was only ever made from pork.Although nowadays, it is made with all sorts of meat including; beef, lamb, duck, venison, even horse or donkey – or a mixture of any of the above.These sausages have a marbled appearance, with specks of fat embedded throughout the meat. The

Parsley and Cilantro are both popular herbs used for flavoring and garnishing a wide range of cuisines.They also come from the same family: the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family, which consists mostly of aromatic flowering plants.This plant family is named after the type genus Apium and is commonly known as the celery, carrot, or parsley family, or 'umbellifers'. This group is the 16th-largest family of flowering plants, containing more than 3,700

Pepperoni is one of the most popular pizza toppings in America. It is an accumulation of meat and seasonings in the form of a salami sausage, giving off a slightly smoky and very meaty flavor.But what is pepperoni and how is it made? Here’s a gastronomic answer.Is Pepperoni Italian?Despite most assumptions, pepperoni is actually Italian-American and was never invented in Italy, unlike other forms of salami.‘Peperoni’ is the Italian word

Lettuce is a leaf vegetable that is often enjoyed in salads, sandwiches, and wraps, etc. Upon noticing a bargain during a visit to the local food shop, many of us tend to stock up on lettuce only to find that we have a lot of it leftover and not many uses for it. Because of this, likely, you are now questioning whether lettuce can be frozen to make it last

I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food - WC Fields Historically, we tend to think of wine as being a drink that, while being shrouded in the mists of time, originated in Italy and was spread throughout Europe by the Roman Empire, fermenting a tradition of vinification that has lasted for nearly two millennia.But nothing could be further from the truth, as wine has a rich

Cream cheese is a delicious cheese that can be used as a topping for a snack, as well as a key ingredient in a variety of different sweet and savory dishes. There is only one downside to cream cheese, and that is its short shelf life. In the fridge, cream cheese has a shelf life of one week which is nowhere near enough time to enjoy this delicious treat. But

Escarole is large-leafed endive (an edible Mediterranean plant) and is a popular choice for adding to soups, pasta, or side dishes. Its mildly bitter taste isn’t for everyone but with some additives, it can be a tasty addition to various meals. Also known as Batavian endive, this plant is part of the genus Cichorium. Its leaves are broad and curly with the outer layers tending to be a little darker

Switching out the core ingredients in a classic recipe is always a risk. Not only will they potentially taste different, but the texture, rise, and shape can all be affected. But, whether you are looking for an egg substitute for vegan cookies, have an allergy, or just forgot to buy eggs at the store, there are still plenty of ways that you can substitute eggs. Eggs are used in baking

Soy sauce is used in a lot of Asian recipes, and is beloved the world over. It adds a salty and umami element of flavor to any dish. It is commonly served with rice, noodles, or sushi and also is used as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, gyoza, and more. It is often used as a seasoning. It is easy to store at an ambient temperature and has a

Thyme is one of those deliciously herby tastes that complement a huge variety of recipes. It is a common feature in the cuisines of many cultures around the world, playing a role in many savory dishes and a handful of sweet ones too. It is renowned for its benefits on the skin, too, and thyme essential oil can be found in many products. It is also a common feature in dental

Peach Schnapps is one of the most popular liqueurs for those with a sweet tooth. Sweet and peach-flavored, this liqueur is incredibly versatile and is easy to mix with other drinks to create a yummy concoction!  Here are the 10 popular peach schnapps mixed drink recipes that will leave you sated.  What Is Peach Schnapps?  Peach schnapps is a liqueur - a liquor that has added seasoning and flavors. A

If you’re like me, you will love the taste of custard desserts. It can be the perfect finish to a full course dinner with its varying available tastes. These delicious custard desserts will typically be made with custard powder. This is a starch that is colored and available with various fruit flavors as well as vanilla and chocolate. So, how does the custard’s texture change from powder? This is when

Gotta love a ripe pineapple! Really mouthwatering and juicy, and best of all it really packs a punch! It may sound cheesy, but to me eating a ripe pineapple is just like spending a brief moment in some tropical paradise. But these days fruits tend to hit the store shelves before they’ve had the chance to fully ripen. Instead the consumer (that’s you and me) has to ripen their favorite