Culinary encyclopedia for everyone
In April 2008, the British newspaper The Sun reported that a 40-year-old man had devised a diet consisting entirely of baked beans and lost 140 pounds as a result. Neil King lost the excess weight over a nine-month period by eating baked beans at every meal. Does baked beans cause weight gain? Consuming baked beans …
For starters, it can be expensive. In addition, it has a relatively low smoke point, which, according to food scientist Harold McGee, is “the temperature at which fat breaks down into a visible gaseous product. That breakdown can ruin the taste of food. Is cooking with extra virgin olive oil harmful? Many people believe that …
The effects of thermal shock are powerful and can result in glass cracking. Even heat-resistant glasses like Pyrex can shatter when accidentally poured over boiling water. To prevent glass from shattering when exposed to boiling water, extreme and abrupt changes in temperature must be avoided. Can glass bowls break from heat? If the water is …
The smoke point of olive oil is low. This is the point at which the oil literally begins to smoke (olive oil is between 365° and 420°F), more than other oils. When olive oil is heated to its smoke point, the beneficial compounds in the oil begin to degrade, forming potentially health-hostile compounds. Is it …
A “rubber” fish indicates that it has been cooked or that the fish selected is not ideal for frying. In most cases, fried protein must contain a certain amount of inherent fat to keep the fish moist and wet during cooking. Why is my deep fried fish rubbery? Seafood is one of the most difficult …
Shorter cooking times help preserve heat-sensitive vitamins (such as vitamins C and B9). Also, internal temperatures are not higher than boiling, which helps preserve plant flavors. Why are microwaves useful for cooking? Microwaves vibrate the water molecules in food, producing heat that cooks the food. Therefore, foods with high water content, such as fresh vegetables, …
If the pan is not too hot and the hamburger is not punctured, but the pan is much larger than the hamburger, the pan without food to absorb the heat will be much hotter and could increase fat. Or the juices that wind up in the hot zone could burn or smoke. How do you …
What are the health benefits of boiled lemons? There is some case evidence to suggest that consumption of boiled lemons can boost immunity, improve skin, and even help with weight loss. However, there is little scientific research on the nutritional value and health benefits of boiled lemons in particular. Why do people boil lemons to …
Thus, if pork is not cooked to the proper temperature, there is a risk that those bacteria and parasites will survive and be consumed. This can make you very sick. One of the parasites found in pork is Trichinella Spiralis, a roundworm that causes an infection also called trichinosis. Why does pork have to be …
If the temperature is low on low heat, start by resetting the gas regulator on the grill. All gas grills have a propane regulator that controls the flow of gas from the propane tank to the grill, and this regulator is one of the most common reasons barbecues do not get hot enough. How do …