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Definition: Spatchcocking

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:50:59 -0800

The word spatchcocking refers to the process of removing the backbone and breaking the breastbone of a bird. The partially boned fowl can then be spread open and flattened for cooking. While similar to butterflying, the process of spatchcocking implies the use of whole poultry rather than a single cut of meat. It is believed that the word is derived from the term "dispatch the cock."

Spatchcocking a turkey, chicken, or any other poultry results in a bird that takes up less oven space, cooks more evenly and quickly, and is easier to carve.

Source: Flickr User thebittenword.com

Definition: Neem Oil

BellaSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:11 -0800

Neem oil, derived from an evergreen tree from India, has long been known for its healing and soothing properties, but it only recently came into use as an ingredient in Western beauty products. Neem contains tons of fatty acids, making it an excellent hair oil, and Ayurvedic texts also recommend it for acne, skin inflammation, and a host of other skin issues. If you'd like to try a little neem for yourself, you can try it in a hair preparation like Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Neem Hair Lotion ($29) or, for something a little more affordable, try it in a shampoo like Neem Herbal Shampoo by Hesh Pharma ($4).

Source: Flickr User Pranav

Know Your Ingredients: Shortening

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:50:13 -0800

While baking apple pie, I enlisted the help of my boyfriend, who took notice of the substantial amount of Crisco that was going into the pie dough. What exactly is shortening? he wanted to know. When I couldn't give him a solid answer (no pun intended), I decided it was time to find out.

The term shortening generically refers to any baking fat that's solid at room temperature, like butter and margarine. But more often, it describes a semi-solid fat made from hydrogenated vegetable oil that's used in baking to achieve a "short," or flaky, texture.

By adding hydrogen gas to vegetable oil at a high pressure and temperature, the flavorless substance goes from being a liquid to a solid at room temperature.

Although shortening has fallen out of favor in recent years because it contains trans fat, the ingredient remains a staple around the world for many reasons. It has a higher smoke point than butter or margarine, meaning it won't burn in a sauté pan. It also requires no refrigeration, and can lengthen the shelf life of baked goods. What do you use shortening for?

Source: Flickr User VirtualErn

Definition: Panko

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:40 -0800

Panko (pronounced "pahn-ko") is the Japanese word for breadcrumbs. Unlike typical breadcrumbs, however, these have a flake-like composition and larger surface area, which achieves a crispness that's airier, less dense, and longer-lasting than their conventional counterparts.

White panko is made from crustless bread, while tan panko is made using the entire loaf. Both can be found at Asian markets, and used as a topping for fried foods or as a binding agent in dishes such as crab cakes. We've used it to incorporate texture into everything from crab dip to goat cheese and pesto macaroni.

Definition: Gnudi

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:15 -0800

Gnudi (pronounced "nu-dee") is a type of gnocchi made from ricotta cheese and a little bit of flour. The result is a dumpling that some describe as "nude" ravioli, or filling without the pasta - that is to say, light, fluffy, and creamy.

If you like gnocchi, chances are you'll be a fan of gnudi, too.

Source

Definition: Approach Shoes

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:49 -0800

Designed for scrambling up steep and exposed rock while being able to travel long distances, an approach shoe is a cross between a hiking boot and a rock climbing shoe. Most often used in mountaineering sports, the shoes are given their name because they reference the approaching path the wearer must take to get to a rock climbing destination. Depending on the area, the approach can be a mixture of walking, hiking, and scrambling up rocks.

Because there is often steep and exposed terrain (meaning there is a drop-off on one side of the path) encountered in rock climbing approaches, the shoes are more than just a hiking boot with a sticky rubber sole. The laces of an approach shoe usually extend down the entire area of the foot - like a climbing shoe - to ensure a snug fit that is helpful for getting up rocky terrain.

Approach shoes have a specialized sticky rubber sole that can adhere to rocks on a steeper gradient than a hiking boot would. The outer area of the shoe that surrounds the toe area - called the toe rand - is also made with this same sticky rubber for extra protection against scuffing and to perform well in situations where climbing is necessary.

Compared to a hiking boot, the sole of an approach shoe is made from softer rubber to ensure flexibility for scrambling up rocks. If you compare the sole of a hiking boot to an approach shoe, you'll notice that a hiking boot usually has deeper set lugs to ensure greater traction on dirt and ground. The flat, smoother surface of an approach shoe adheres better to rock than the lug soles of a hiking boot does - especially on slab terrain, which is vertical, flat rock lacking natural places to grip.

Know Your Ingredients: Solid Pack Pumpkin

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:00:10 -0800

Recently, a co-worker came to me with a number of questions about canned, solid pack pumpkin: Is it sweetened? Does it have spices in it? What is it used for?

Well, Alexis - and anyone else curious to know - here's the answer you've been waiting for. Solid pack pumpkin is exactly that: just pumpkin, and nothing else (despite the misleading pumpkin pie that is often on the label). It's sometimes called pumpkin purée or "100% pure pumpkin" to distinguish it from the similarly named canned pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices.

Although you can make it yourself, buying solid pack pumpkin - which is free of preservatives - saves you the effort of seeding, roasting, scooping, and blending pumpkin flesh until smooth. The purée can be used as a time-saving measure when making pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin soup.

Have you ever bought solid pack pumpkin? What did you use it for?

Definition: Sampaguita

BellaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:00:58 -0700

Sampaguita, or Arabian jasmine, is known for its flowers' heavy, heady scent, even more so than its cousin jasminum grandflores, or traditional jasmine. Originally from India, this variety was imported to the Pacific islands and Phillipines, where it began growing wild and became associated with island culture despite its status as an invasive species. Sampaguita is often used in high-end fragrances because of its gorgeous, powerful aroma and long-lasting oil, although recently several midrange scents using it have appeared on the market. If you love jasmine, but you hate watery florals, a sampaguita note might be something to try. On the pricier side for rich floral fanatics, Saffron James Nani ($110) is a dizzying island jasmine along with mimosa, plumeria, and ylang ylang. If you don't want to invest a ton but still want a deep jasmine scent, there's Victoria's Secret Cashmere Vanilla Jasmine ($45), which has Arabian jasmine absolute and vanilla bean orchid.

Source: Flickr User Jun's World

Definition: Gnocchi

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:26 -0700

Gnocchi (pronounced "nyoh-kee") means "lumps" in Italian, and refers to a thick, pillowy dumpling. Available fresh, frozen, or dried, the pasta is made from a dough based on potatoes, flour, farina, or semolina, which is rolled into long cylinder shapes, cut into bite-sized pieces, and sometimes decorated with forked ridges. They are boiled, baked, or sautéed, then served in a tomato, pesto, cheese, or butter-based sauce. Smaller forms are referred to as gnocchetti.

Definition: Branzino

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:00:48 -0700

A silver-skinned fish found in European sea and saltwater lakes, branzino goes by many names, including European sea bass, spigola, loup de mer, róbalo, and lubina.

The fish, which ranges in size from one and a half to three pounds, has a firm, white, delicate-flavored flesh and few small bones. It's a prized fish in Italian, Spanish, and Greek cuisines, and is often prepared grilled, baked, poached, steamed, or braised whole.