What’s green, oblong and appears to have warts? No, it’s not a Wicked Witch of the West costume, it’s bitter melon. Bitter melon looks more like a bumpy cucumber, which is like a cousin in the squash family. This fruit bears it’s name and is quite bitter. While it can be eaten raw, it’s...
Fish and seafood are such healthy additions to one’s diet, delivering important nutrients such as iron, choline, vitamin D, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults eat at least eight ounces every week. However, many people have questions...
The summer 2024 Olympic games recently concluded and took place in Paris, France, the culinary capital of the world. Athletes from around the world had the opportunity to choose traditional French cuisine and in fact, the Olympic Village included a bakery where athletes can shape their own French...
Consuming a diet adequate in dietary fiber has a multitude of health benefits. It can help lower cholesterol, improve blood glucose control, promote a healthy weight, and prevent constipation and diverticulosis. Yet an estimated 95% of Americans do not meet the recommended amount of fiber. The...
A hot summer day often calls for a cool frozen treat. Ice cream has become a common staple in many households, but freezers are being stocked with more than just ice cream; sorbet, sherbet, gelato, frozen yogurt and even Greek frozen yogurt are competing with ice cream’s hungry audience. ...
Eggplants are more than a funny name with an odd shape. They are versatile, nutritious, and tasty. There are different varieties of eggplant, some of which are white rather than the more common purple color, and some of which are round or oval rather than elongated. Like many vegetables,...
The farmers’ market is a place where healthy, fresh, and local meet. Who wouldn’t feel good about spending their hard-earned money here? Not only are you supporting local agricultural businesses, which means a lower carbon footprint, but you get to take home the most incredibly fresh produce. Plus...
Legumes, pulses and beans are terms used interchangeably, but they each have a specific meaning. The easiest way to understand the difference is to think of them in a hierarchy. Legumes are at the top. It’s an umbrella name that includes all types of beans, peas and lentils, even...
Have you ever wondered what cream of tartar is? What does it do? What does it taste like? Do I have to use it, or can I just skip over it? This mystery ingredient serves a purpose, particularly in two foods: meringue and snickerdoodle cookies. Cream of tartar’s scientific name is potassium...
Salt is the most common ingredient in foods, which is probably why 90% of Americans consume more salt than the recommendation. This can be a problem as an excess of sodium can lead to high blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Those looking for lower sodium options often...
