Author: Ricardo Davis

Hello! My name is Ricardo Davis and I'm a food blogger. I'm not a professional cook, but that doesn't mean I don't have some good strategies and ideas. There are a lot of simple and practical things on the site about heating, freezing, dehydrating and so on. It was written by chefs, food experts, home cooks, and me.

A Surprising Divine Delight: An Alluring Substitute for Cognac Revealed!

Ricardo Davis

– Cognac is a type of French brandy made from distilling wine.
– Cognac has a rich and full-bodied flavor with hints of fruit and leather.
– There are several grades of Cognac based on aging: VS or 3 stars (2 years), VSOP (4 years), Napoléon (6 years), and XO (10 years).
– The best Cognac substitutes are any type of brandy, bourbon, and sherry.
– Brandy is a high-end French brandy, while Armagnac and Calvados are other types of French brandy.
– Brandy de Jerez is Spanish brandy and can also be used as a substitute.
– Pisco is Peruvian brandy but is not recommended as a Cognac substitute.
– Bourbon has a similar flavor profile to Cognac and can be used as a substitute in cocktails.
– Sherry, a fortified wine made by adding grape liquor to white wine, can also be used as a substitute for Cognac in a pinch.

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Is Smoked Salmon Raw? A Comprehensive Guide

Ricardo Davis

– Smoked salmon can be hot smoked or cold smoked, with different temperatures and smoking times.
– Hot-smoked salmon is fully cooked, while cold-smoked salmon is only partially cooked.
– Cold-smoked salmon is cured with a salt-sugar solution and dried before smoking.
– Hot-smoked salmon is cured with a salt-sugar solution and smoked at higher temperatures.
– Smoked salmon used in sushi is considered cooked due to the smoking process.
– Smoking salmon involves exposing it to smoke from burning or smoldering materials.
– Wood is commonly used for smoking salmon, with different types of wood preferred.
– Smoked salmon is rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, B, D, and E.
– Pregnant women should avoid consuming raw salmon due to the risk of bacteria and parasites.
– Smoking salmon provides a partial preservation effect but requires additional preservation techniques.
– Cold-smoked salmon is thinly sliced and served raw or lightly cured.
– Hot-smoked salmon has a flaky texture and a more pronounced smoky taste.
– Cold-smoked salmon has a delicate texture and a milder smoky flavor.
– Smoked salmon can be eaten fresh out of the package without further cooking.
– Smoked salmon requires proper storage to prevent bacterial growth.
– Cold-smoked salmon has a shorter shelf life compared to hot-smoked salmon.
– Unopened smoked salmon can be stored in a pantry or dark place, while refrigerated smoked salmon can be stored for up to 2 weeks.
– Smoked salmon can be frozen for 2-3 months.
– Spoiled smoked salmon can be detected by its smell, mold growth, change in color, and slimy texture.
– Smoked salmon is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, iron, and vitamins B12, A, E, and astaxanthin.
– Enjoy smoked salmon in moderation.
– Commercially available smoked salmon should be free of parasites.
– Smoked salmon falls into the “processed meat” category, which has the potential to increase the risk of cancer.

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Can You Freeze Gravy? Here’s Everything You Need

Ricardo Davis

– The article discusses whether leftover gravy can be frozen.
– Gravy is made from leftover juices of cooked meat, along with broth, cream/milk, butter, and spices.
– Gravy can be frozen in air-tight containers or freezer bags and will last for up to six months.
– If the gravy contains dairy, it is not recommended to freeze it as the texture will change and it will separate when thawed.
– Gravy can also be refrigerated for up to four days in an airtight container.
– It is important to cool down the gravy within two hours of cooking to prevent bacteria growth.
– If the gravy smells rotten or sour, it should be thrown out.
– Look for signs of mold or any fuzzy or abnormal appearance to determine if the gravy has gone bad.
– Premade gravy dry mix can be stored in a sealed container or plastic bag.
– Gravy is made from the leftover juices of cooked meats, typically turkey or beef, with additional broth, cream or milk, butter, and spices added for flavor.
– Traditional gravy recipes use all-purpose or wheat flours as thickeners, but cornstarch can be used as a gluten-free alternative.
– Dairy-based gravies should not be frozen as they will separate and have a gritty texture when thawed.
– Spoiled gravy can be identified by a rotten or sour smell, mold growth, or abnormal texture.
– Dry gravy mixes can be stored in sealed containers or plastic bags.

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Sushi Roll vs Hand Roll: Unveiling the Delicious Differences

Ricardo Davis

List of Pertinent Information about Sushi Roll vs Hand Roll:

– Sushi originated in ancient China and spread to Japan.
– Sushi translates to “sour” or “sour-tasting” in Japanese.
– The first type of sushi was called nare-zushi or “aged-sushi.”
– Maki rolls are cut into bite-size pieces, while temaki are hand rolls.
– Cut sushi rolls are also known as makimono, makizushi, or norimaki.
– Makizushi is made by layering nori, seasoned sushi rice, and fresh fish and/or vegetables.
– Makizushi can be thin (hosomaki) or thick (futomaki) rolls.
– Sushi restaurants offer classic, regular, and specialty rolls.
– Hand rolls are not cut into bite-size pieces and are eaten with hands.
– Hand rolls are made with a bed of seasoned sushi rice and various ingredients wrapped in nori.
– Hand rolls are less popular than sushi rolls but are growing in popularity.
– Hand roll restaurants include KazuNori and Temakira.
– Popular hand roll fillings include baked salmon skin, spicy tuna, salmon avocado, and blue crab.
– Sushi rolls are made with sushi rice and wrapped in nori seaweed.
– Sushi rolls can have various fillings like fish, shellfish, veggies, and cream cheese.
– Sushi rolls are typically eaten with chopsticks.
– Hand rolls are similar to tacos and are made with a folded sheet of nori.
– To make sushi rolls, a bamboo mat with plastic wrap is used.
– To make hand rolls, a large, cone-shaped piece of seaweed is used.
– Hand rolls should be eaten immediately after rolling.
– Nigiri, maki, uni sushi, temaki sushi, and chirashi are other types of sushi.

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Funnel cake vs elephant ear: Delightful fried treats deconstructed

Ricardo Davis

– Funnel cakes and elephant ears are popular sweet treats found at carnivals and fairs
– Funnel cakes have a lacy, pretzel-like appearance with overlapping pieces, while elephant ears are a single, bubble-filled blob
– The differences between the two treats include their ingredients, how they are made, and the tools used to make them
– Elephant ears and funnel cakes are popular fair foods
– Elephant ears are more commonly found in the Midwest, while funnel cakes are more widespread
– Funnel cakes are made from a pancake or waffle batter, while elephant ears are made from sweet pastry dough
– The original topping for elephant ears is cinnamon and sugar, while powdered sugar is used for funnel cakes
– There will be no elephant ears at the County Fair Chicago event, but there will be corn dogs, funnel cakes, lemon shake-ups, and cotton candy served by Bo’s Concessions.

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Chimichanga vs Enchilada: Unraveling the Delicious Differences Explained!

Ricardo Davis

– Enchiladas are a classic Mexican cuisine entrée made with soft corn tortillas rolled around filling ingredients, smothered in a spicy tomato-based chili pepper sauce, and baked in the oven.
– The sauce is a defining characteristic of an enchilada, which stems from the Spanish word “enchilar” meaning “to season with chili.”
– Ingredients in an enchilada typically include a corn tortilla wrap, meat fillings, tomato-based chili sauce, cheese, and garnishes such as green onions, cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, and fresh salsa.
– Authentic enchiladas are made with soft corn tortillas.
– Enchiladas are typically eaten with a fork and knife and are served with rice and beans.
– Enchiladas are not considered healthy due to their high calories, saturated fat, and refined carbohydrates. A plate of beef enchiladas at a restaurant can have anywhere from 600 to 1,200 calories.
– Enchiladas can be made healthier by reducing oil, using chicken or beans instead of beef, skipping cheese, and pairing with lighter sides like salads and salsa.
– Chimichangas are deep-fried Mexican dishes that typically contain meat, cheese, and vegetables.
– Common fillings for chimichangas include shredded chicken, ground beef, pork, refried beans, sautéed peppers and onions, and various cheeses.
– Chimichangas are always deep-fried, but can be made healthier by baking or air frying them instead.
– Chimichangas are typically served on a plate and topped with garnishes such as sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.
– Chimichangas are considered unhealthy, with a typical restaurant chimichanga containing around 800 calories, over 30 grams of fat, nearly 80 grams of carbs, and almost 2,000 milligrams of sodium.
– To make a healthier chimichanga, one can use a large flour tortilla, lean chicken or vegetarian options for the filling, and bake or air fry instead of deep frying.
– Enchiladas are traditionally made with corn tortillas, while chimichangas are made from white flour or whole wheat tortillas.
– Enchiladas have minimal fillings, usually meat (beef or chicken), and can be made vegetarian. Chimichanga fillings vary and include a mixture of meat (beef or chicken), beans, veggies, and cheese.
– Enchiladas are baked in an oven, while chimichangas are deep-fried.
– An enchilada is usually soft and eaten with a fork, while a chimichanga is a crispy deep-fried burrito.

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Are Body Armors Good for You? The Surprising Facts Revealed!

Ricardo Davis

Body Armor is a company that produces hydrating sports drinks without artificial ingredients, established in 2011 by Mike Repole. They offer four main products: Body Armor Sports Drink, LYTE Sports Drink, EDGE Sports Drink, and Body Armor SportWater. Body Armor LYTE has the same ingredients as Body Armor Sports Drink but with no added sugar and only 20 calories per bottle. EDGE contains added caffeine for an energy boost. SportWater is made from reverse osmosis water, has a performance pH of 9+, and contains electrolytes. In 2021, The Coca-Cola Company acquired Body Armor.

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