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.

Lychee vs Rambutan: Unraveling the Exotic Delights

Ricardo Davis

– Rambutan and lychee are both sweet, exotic fruits from Southeast Asia.
– Rambutan has a dark crimson skin covered in soft hairs and a sweet, creamy flesh.
– It is grown in Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Central America, as well as some parts of the US.
– Rambutan tastes similar to grapes, with a slightly sour flavor.
– It is considered a “superfood” due to its high levels of antioxidants and is rich in vitamins and nutrients.
– Rambutan can be eaten raw and used in fruit salads, smoothies, and cooked dishes.
– Lychee is another fruit from the same family as rambutan, with a pinkish-red skin and firm, juicy flesh.
– It is native to Southeast Asia and grows on trees up to 100 feet tall.
– Lychee is commonly eaten raw or used in smoothies, drinks, and salads.
– It is cultivated in various countries including China, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Brazil, the Caribbean, Australia, California, and Florida.
– Lychee is also known as litchi or lichi and sometimes referred to as “alligator strawberry” due to its bumpy, reddish-pink skin.
– Lychee has a sweet and slightly floral flavor, often compared to pineapple, grapes, and strawberries.
– It is high in vitamins and minerals, including iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium.
– The flesh of lychee should be eaten, while the skin and seeds should be avoided due to toxins.
– Lychee is commonly used in sweet treats, smoothies, juices, and desserts.
– Rambutan is another popular tropical fruit that grows in Southeast Asia.
– It shares similarities with lychee in terms of sweetness and acidity, as well as being high in vitamins and antioxidants.
– Rambutan has hairy skin ranging from yellow-orange to crimson red.
– Rambutan is creamier and sweeter compared to lychee, often likened to a sweet and slightly tart grape.
– Rambutan is lower in calories and sugar than lychee.
– Lychee has bumpy skin, while rambutan is hairy.
– Lychee is crisp and tart, while rambutan is sweet, fruity, slightly acidic, and mildly tart.
– Rambutan is also known as “hairy lychee” due to its hairy appearance.
– Rambutan and lychee are similar fruits but have notable differences in appearance, texture, and taste.

Continue Reading

Master the Art: Reheating Lasagna in Oven Like a Pro!

Ricardo Davis

– Using the microwave to reheat lasagna can make it chewy and dry
– Reheating lasagna in the oven is recommended
– Preheat the oven to 350°F and cover the lasagna with aluminum foil, cook for about 30 minutes
– A toaster oven can be used to reheat individual slices at a lower temperature of 325°F
– Frozen lasagna should be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven or toaster oven
– Frozen lasagna can also be reheated directly from the freezer but will add to the cooking time
– Planning accordingly is important as the reheating process may add to the cooking time.

Continue Reading

Popcorn without kernels: Discover the mystery behind it!

Ricardo Davis

– Pop Weaver Premium Hybrid White Gourmet Popcorn is of high quality
– Expansion rate of 46-50
– Considered “Hulless” because the hulls are soft and almost seem to disappear
– Perfect for both business and home use
– Weaver White is a premium Hybrid that consistently pops up more tender than other brands
– Weaver Popcorn supplies more popcorn consumed worldwide than any other company
– Located in Indiana and maintains total control of their popcorn from growing to packaging and shipping
– No wheat, barley, rye, or oats gluten in Pop Weaver popcorn or raw materials
– Available in 2 lb., Gallon, and 50 lb. sizes.
– Hulless popcorn refers to popcorn with smaller kernels that have smaller hulls.
– Hulless popcorn is easier to digest and less likely to get stuck in teeth or braces.
– Hulless popcorn can be prepared the same way as other popcorn varieties.
– Popcorn is a whole grain and has antioxidants that can help fight disease.
– One brand that sells hulless popcorn is Amish Country Popcorn, which offers Medium White Hulless popcorn. The article discusses different brands of popcorn that have small or practically unnoticeable hulls. Some notable brands include Bob’s Red Mill, Dutchman’s White Popcorn, Riehle’s Select Popping Corn Hulless Butter Microwave Popcorn, and Black Jewell Crimson Red Gourmet Popcorn Kernels. These popcorn brands are vegan, gluten-free, and preservative-free. They offer a variety of flavors and are available in different quantities, such as a 25-pound bag or four-pound bag. Black Jewell also has a unique dark-colored and intense flavor popcorn and supports pollinator advocacy groups. The article mentions that true hulless popcorn may not actually exist, but these brands offer options with small hulls that are easier to eat.

Continue Reading

Discover the Perfect PlantBased Replacement for Sesame Oil

Ricardo Davis

– Tahini: Substitute ¾ tablespoon of tahini for 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. For smaller amounts, use ¾ teaspoon of tahini for each teaspoon of sesame oil.

– Perilla Oil: Use perilla oil as a replacement for dark or toasted sesame oil for a similar flavor profile. Look for perilla oil in specialty ethnic stores or Asian markets.

– Toasted Sesame Seeds: Use toasted sesame seeds as a flavor replacement when the binding function of sesame oil is not necessary. Lightly toast the sesame seeds and sprinkle them into stir-fried recipes or use as a garnish.

– Walnut Oil: Substitute walnut oil for a mild nutty flavor. It is best used in marinades, uncooked sauce, salad dressings, and as a flavor addition to finished dishes.

– Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil can be used as a substitute for light or untoasted sesame oil. It has a similar flavor profile and consistency. No specific smoke point mentioned.

– Avocado Oil: Avocado oil can be used as a substitute for sesame oil to match richness and texture, although it doesn’t add the same flavor.

– Peanut Oil: Peanut oil is a suitable choice for wok-frying and stir-fry recipes, as it has a high smoke point and a nutty flavor.

– Toasted Peanuts: Toasted or plain, roughly chopped peanuts can be added to recipes as a last-minute addition or garnish to enhance flavor.

– Almond Oil: Almond oil has its own distinctive flavor and is suitable for wok-frying, stir-frying, and dressings.

– Butter or Ghee: Butter or ghee can be stirred into dishes at the end of the cooking process to add a rich, creamy texture and can also be browned for a deeper flavor.

Please note that the list has been modified to eliminate any duplication and is tailored specifically to the keyword “replacement for sesame oil”.

Continue Reading

Delicious and Authentic Chicken Birria Taco Recipe: StepbyStep!

Ricardo Davis

– This article provides a recipe for chicken birria tacos.
– Chicken birria is a variation of the traditional Mexican stew made with chili peppers, goat meat, and seasonings.
– The flavor of birria is savory, smoky, somewhat sweet, and slightly spicy.
– To make chicken birria tacos, use bone-in chicken thighs, neutral high-heat cooking oil, onion, tomatoes, garlic, guajillo chiles, chiles de arbol, bay leaves, oregano, paprika, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, salt, and chicken broth.
– Cook the chicken in a Dutch oven or pot, shred it, and then fry it with onions, cilantro, and Mexican melting cheese in corn tortillas.
– Serve the tacos with leftover birria sauce as a dipping sauce.
– Recipe involves browning chicken quarters on both sides.
– The sauce is made by simmering dried chiles, onions, tomatoes, and a bay leaf in water for 10 minutes. The mixture is blended with garlic, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, cumin, salt, water, and chicken stock.
– The sauce is poured over the chicken and simmered for 30 minutes.
– The chicken is removed, cooled, shredded, and returned to the pot to toss in the sauce.
– The tacos are made by dipping a tortilla in the birria sauce and cooking it in a skillet. Shredded chicken, cheese, diced onion, and cilantro are added, and then it is folded and cooked until the cheese melts.
– The tacos are served warm with a side of birria sauce for dipping.
– Tips include preparing the sauce ahead of time, using smaller tortillas or corn tortillas, using a cast iron or non-stick skillet for frying, using different types of meat, and using alternative mild dried red chiles if guajillo chiles are unavailable.
– Leftover birria sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 4 months.
– Frozen chicken can also be stored for 3-4 months and should be thawed in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
– Chicken birria tacos can be served with other Sunday dinner ideas.
– Birria tacos originated from Jalisco, Mexico and were originally made with goat meat. They have since evolved to include variations with beef, pork, and chicken. The birria sauce also includes vegetables, spices, chicken broth, and apple cider vinegar.
– Steps for making the chicken birria tacos include making the base of the sauce, browning chicken thighs with onion in a Dutch oven pot, pouring the blended sauce over the chicken, simmering for at least 30 minutes, shredding the chicken and returning it to the sauce, dipping tortillas in the sauce and cooking them on a skillet, filling the tortillas with shredded birria chicken, cheese, diced onion, and cilantro, folding them closed, and cooking until the cheese is melted.
– The tacos are served with consomme for dipping.

Continue Reading

Dumplings vs Potstickers: Unveiling the Delicious World!

Ricardo Davis

– Dumplings come in different shapes and sizes worldwide, including perogies, wontons, samosas, and gnocchi.
– Dumplings are small masses of dough cooked by boiling, steaming, frying, or simmering.
– Potstickers are a popular type of dumplings.
– Potstickers are called so because they stick to the wok when they are cooked and become crispy.
– Potstickers are typically two to three bite dumplings with a thick and soft wrapper that becomes crispy after cooking.
– They can be filled with cabbage and carrots for a vegetarian version or ground pork for a meat version.
– Potstickers are found in Chinese restaurants and the frozen aisle of grocery stores.
– The main difference between potstickers and other dumplings is that potstickers are crispy due to their cooking method.
– Overall, both potstickers and dumplings have dough on the outside and vegetable or meat filling on the inside.

Continue Reading

Do raisins go bad? The truth revealed!

Ricardo Davis

List:

– Raisins can go bad under certain conditions, such as if they have a strange smell or visible mold.
– The quality of raisins will decline over time and they may also dry out.
– Unopened raisins can stay fresh for up to three months after the “best by” date.
– Opened packages of raisins can be enjoyed for up to six months after opening.
– Raisins typically have a shelf life of 6 to 12 months, but if unopened and stored in the fridge, they may last up to 2 years.
– Opened raisins can last up to a year when stored in the fridge.
– Unopened raisins in an airtight container last longer.
– Frozen raisins have an even longer shelf life.
– Organic raisins have better flavor but don’t last as long.
– Signs that raisins may be turning bad include visible mold, fungus, or any kind of growth on the raisins.
– Checking for mold growth, changes in color or scent can help determine if raisins have gone bad.
– Discard any raisins that show signs of being bad.

Continue Reading

Slushy Maker: Discover the Secrets to Delicious Frozen Delights

Ricardo Davis

– Slushy Maker
– Device
– Frozen slushies
– Family
– Easy to use
– Chill in the freezer
– Pour drink of choice
– Squeezes silicone cup
– Removable dome lid
– Reusable spoon-straw
– Rapid freeze technology
– No ice required
– Non-toxic
– BPA-free
– Customization of flavors
– Can be used with chilled beverages
– Wash and refreeze for future use
– Pre-chilled drinks
– Difficulty with hot or room temperature liquids
– Diet soda and dairy products can be used
– Alcohol can be added to pre-made slushy
– Not recommended for large amounts of slushy
– No information about slushy maker in the article.

Continue Reading