Lard vs Shortening: Decoding the Health and Culinary Myths

– Lard is made from melted pork fat and can be rendered, leaf, or processed.
– Lard has a creamy white color and semi-soft texture.
– Lard melts at temperatures between 95°F to 115°F.
– Processed lard, also known as hydrogenated lard, is shelf stable and solid with a slightly porky flavor and scent.
– Leaf lard, made from the visceral fat around the pig’s kidneys, has a neutral flavor and is favored for creating a flaky and delicate dough.
– Bacon grease is not the same as lard and is better suited for savory preparations.
– Shortening is made from hydrogenated vegetable oils.
– Shortening was popularized by Procter & Gamble in 1911 with the creation of Crisco.
– Shortening is made from soybean, cottonseed, palm oil, or a combination.
– Shortening is 100% fat and comes in four types: solid, liquid, all-purpose, and cake.
– Shortening does not require refrigeration and is shelf stable.
– Margarine is made from vegetable oil and contains unsaturated fat.
– Butter adds moisture, richness, and flavor to baked goods.
– Butter contains 80% fat and can be used interchangeably with margarine.
– Home cooks often combine butter with lard or shortening for a flaky crust with rich flavor.

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Bacon Cooker: Unleashing Delicious Flavors and Healthier Options

– bacon cooker product
– does not come with instructions
– flat with a flat thing on top, with an arrow visible
– arrow needs to be turned
– sticks need to be removed from under the arrow
– flat thing starts to come up when yanked on
– washing the product
– hanging bacon over the sticks and placing a paper towel on top
– no information on how long to cook bacon
– frustration about lack of directions
– assumption that inventor or producer knew how to use the product well
– difficulties figuring out how to open the product and how long to cook bacon
– first attempt with the product resulted in bacon being stuck folded over
– making BLT sandwiches is a little difficult
– testing of microwave bacon cookers in 2021
– top picks: Presto – Power Crisp and Nordic Ware 2-Sided Bacon and Meat Grill
– Presto – Power Crisp can hold up to 12 slices of bacon, cooks into a V-shape, recommended to cook for five minutes, allows bacon fat to drip off into a cool-to-the-touch tray
– Nordic Ware 2-Sided Bacon and Meat Grill is made of heavy-duty BPA-free and melamine-free plastic, has a ridged side for cooking bacon and meats and a smooth side for pizza and nachos, can hold four pieces of bacon, cooks bacon in about one minute per slice, visually appetizing bacon with good texture and minimal grease, easy to clean with sponge and sudsy water, requires potholders to remove from microwave

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Can You Use a Blender as a Food Processor? Understanding the Differences for Optimal Kitchen Efficiency

– Can you use a blender as a substitute for a food processor?
– Differences between blenders and food processors
– The shapes and functions of blenders and food processors
– Foods that are best made in a food processor
– Functions that blenders can perform
– Factors to consider when buying a blender (size, speed, power, attachments, and price)
– Factors to consider when buying a food processor (capacity, functions, attachments, and price)
– The versatility of blenders in the kitchen
– The prevalence of blenders in households
– Comparison of blades in blenders and food processors
– Tasks that blenders are better suited for (smoothies, soups, milkshakes)
– Tasks that food processors are better suited for (doughs, slicing, grinding)
– The option of a hybrid blender and food processor appliance (Nutribullet Magic Bullet Kitchen Express)
– Comparison of lid features in blenders and food processors

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Home Meat Slicer: Unlocking Culinary Potential at Home

– A good meat slicer is helpful for processing large quantities of meat, vegetables, or cheese.
– The 7.5″ Electric Meat Slicer from Meat! Your Maker is recommended as the top pick for most people.
– The MEAT! Your Maker 7.5″ slicer is suitable for light slicing needs, while the 10″ version is better for slicing large slabs of bacon.
– The slicer is easy to use and store, with adjustable thickness and an extended tray for cutting a moderate volume of meat at one time.
– It has suction cup feet to keep it stable and an aluminum housing, although some parts are still plastic.
– The 7.5″ stainless steel blade is sharp and easy to remove for cleaning.
– The only downside is that there are some plastic parts, including the gears.
– A home meat slicer called the Meat! 7.5″ slicer is described as being able to handle household slicing tasks and is reasonably priced.
– It is noted that the blade is serrated and can tear and shred meat at thinner sizes, and is difficult to sharpen.
– The slicer is also said to have small crevices that make cleaning the base tedious.
– The article also mentions the Chef’s Choice 615A Electric Meat Slicer, which is popular for home use and can handle light commercial use.
– It has easy-to-clean, removable parts and a stainless steel coating.
– The slicer also has a powerful motor, but only comes with a serrated blade initially and struggles to achieve thinnest cuts.
– Finally, the BESWOOD 10″ Premium Chromium-Plated Electric Meat Slicer is described as a commercial-grade slicer that can compete with expensive models.
– It is heavy at 35lbs and is made entirely of stainless steel.
– The blade of the slicer is made of carbon steel coated with chromium, protecting against corrosive damage and improving lifespan.
– The meat slicer has a V-shaped feeding belt for the motor, making it quiet and soft-vibrating.
– It has a large 10″ blade, ideal for cutting big chunks of meat into narrow slices.
– The blade is difficult to remove for cleaning, requiring unscrewing it from the slicer.
– The Elite Platinum EMT-625B is an affordable option made of die-cast aluminum, preventing rust damage and improving durability.
– The meat slicer has easy-to-adjust thickness settings and a safety guide to keep track of food as it is guided towards the cutting blade.
– The motor is slow and makes a loud noise in the kitchen.
– The quality of components varies from higher to middling quality depending on the part.
– Most major parts of the meat slicer are removable.
– The meat holder is plastic and flimsy, and it is recommended to hold the meat in place with your hand.
– The slicer can run hot after approximately 10 minutes of use, requiring cooldown time.
– It has built-in whetstones for sharpening the blades and a stainless steel blade for durability.
– The slicer has a waterproof cover to protect the electronics from water damage.
– It is heavier than expected, weighing almost 50 pounds.
– The slicer has a 180W motor, making it powerful for slicing through thicker pieces of meat.
– The blade is made of stainless steel, while the food press is made of die-cast aluminum.
– Entry-level slicers usually have blades around 7 to 10 inches, while more powerful slicers are between 12 to 14 inches.
– Most commercial meat slicers have blades around 12 inches.
– Safety features or guards are important to avoid injury while using a meat slicer.
– Automatic meat slicers are easier to use and better for larger quantities of meat.
– Manual meat slicers are intuitive to use and don’t require much prep time.
– Automatic slicers often have a manual setting for finer cutting control.
– Cleaning legs or kickstands make cleaning the meat slicer easier.
– The size of the meat tray determines how much meat can be cut in succession.
– Proper cleaning of the meat slicer is essential, including detaching and cleaning removable parts separately.
– Periodically sharpening the blade of a meat slicer is necessary for good results.
– Meat slicer kits may come with sharpener attachments, or a separate sharpener tool may be required.
– Thoroughly clean and oil the blade before sharpening.
– The motor power and blade size should be considered when buying a meat slicer.
– A meat slicer should not be used to cut completely frozen meat, as it can damage the blade.
– Some expensive slicers can handle partially frozen meat.
– Thorough cleaning is necessary when raw meat is sliced to prevent cross-contamination.
– Cutting through bone with a meat slicer is not recommended, as it can damage the blade.
– Regular cleaning and sanitizing of the meat slicer is necessary to prevent bacterial contamination.
– Sanitizer concentrate and water should be used for cleaning, avoiding regular soap.
– Gloves should be worn when using sanitizer, as it can be harsh on the skin.
– Thoroughly rinse and dry the slicer after sanitizing to prevent rust.
– Lubricate the moving parts of the slicer with a food-grade lubricant.
– The LG LW1821ERSM is a smart air conditioner that can be controlled through LG ThinQ technology, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant.
– It is suitable for cooling large rooms up to 1,000 sq. ft. and is Energy Star certified.
– The unit has 3 cooling and fan speeds, a 24-hour timer, and a 4-way air deflection feature.
– It also has an auto restart function in case of a power outage.
– Additional features include a remote control, easy window installation kit, washable filter, and a check filter alert.

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Can You Microwave Cardboard Safely? Practical Tips Explained

– Microwave-safe cardboard can be microwaved for short periods of time (60-120 seconds) on a low power setting.
– It is important to check the container for any glue, ink, or lining, as these may release chemicals into the food.
– Pizza boxes can be microwaved as long as they are microwave-safe and have no plastic or metal components. They should be microwaved for less than a minute.
– Cardboard with metal handles or adhesive should not be microwaved.
– It is recommended to transfer food to a microwave-safe container if longer reheating is needed.

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Cooking Spoon: An Essential Tool for Every Kitchen

List of Cooking Spoons:

1. Wooden Cooking Spoon
2. Bamboo Cooking Spoon
3. Silicone Cooking Spoon
4. Stainless Steel Cooking Spoon
5. Nylon Cooking Spoon
6. Slotted Cooking Spoon
7. Solid Cooking Spoon
8. Angled Cooking Spoon
9. Perforated Cooking Spoon
10. Long-Handled Cooking Spoon
11. Short-Handled Cooking Spoon
12. Flat Cooking Spoon
13. Deep-Ladle Cooking Spoon
14. Serving Cooking Spoon
15. Mixing Cooking Spoon
16. Tasting Cooking Spoon
17. Soup Ladle Cooking Spoon
18. Skimmer Cooking Spoon
19. Pasta Server Cooking Spoon
20. Slotted Spatula Spoon

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How to Wash Grapes to Ensure Safe Consumption: Essential Steps and Tips

– Grapes belong to the Dirty Dozen, a list of produce with high levels of pesticides
– The Environmental Working Group recommends buying organic grapes, but they can be expensive
– Washing grapes adds moisture and can cause them to decompose faster
– It’s best to only wash grapes that you plan to eat right away or in the near future
– The waxy white film on grapes, called the bloom, helps keep them fresh
– To wash grapes, empty them into a colander and rinse with cool water, moving them around to clean all sides
– If desired, sprinkle a little baking soda and/or salt on the grapes and gently scrub to remove the bloom
– Rinse off the baking soda and/or salt with cool water and dry the grapes with a dish towel or paper towel
– Excess moisture can lead to faster spoiling, so let the grapes dry completely after washing
– Grapes should be stored in a ventilated bag in the refrigerator to help preserve them for up to three weeks.
– It is best not to wash grapes until right before eating to avoid moldy or inedible grapes.
– Unwashed grapes can harbor viruses and bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.

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How to Freeze Kale: Preserve Nutrients for Longer

– Freezing kale without blanching may cause bitterness due to ripening enzymes in the leaves
– Unblanched kale can be used in stews and soups where bitterness can be overpowered
– Blanching kale leaves for 2.5 minutes and stems for 3 minutes is recommended for longer freezing time (8-12 months)
– After blanching, place leaves and stems in ice water for the same amount of time
– Dry blanched kale leaves by placing them on a towel, rolling it up, and squeezing out excess water
– Quick-freeze small clumps of kale individually on a cookie sheet before transferring to freezer bags
– Remove air from the bags before sealing
– Alternatively, place blanched and dried kale into individual packages prior to freezing
– Choose the right size freezer bag for serving-size portions and remove as much air as possible
– Frozen kale can be used in smoothies, sauteed with seasoned rice vinegar or garlic, added to quiches, stews, and soups, or used to make pesto.

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Ginger Grater: The Secret to Unlocking Ginger’s Full Flavor!

– The 3-in-1 Ginger Grater Tool is available in black and grey.
– The tool can peel, slice, and grate ginger.
– The price of the tool is $16.99.
– The tool is currently out of stock.
– The product can be purchased on Amazon.
– The tool is also available for Canadian customers through eBay.
– The tool is also available for UK customers through Harts of Stur.
– The Microplane 3-in-1 Ginger Cheese Grater Tool simplifies the task of prepping ginger.
– The tool has a non-slip base and handle for comfort and stability.
– The blades of the tool are made of stainless steel.
– The blades are dishwasher safe.

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