The type of apple used to make your pie actually matters. So why do some apples make the best pies, but other varieties yield disappointing results? It comes down to their flavor, acidity, and texture after being cooked in a hot oven. I can confirm that these characteristics can greatly vary from one variety to...
Lilacs are delicate, little edible flowers. To make candied lilacs, each flower has to be individually painted with an egg wash and then showered in sugar. It's quite time consuming, but the upside is they last a year in a sealed jar. I tested faster methods but they all disappointed. I've shared the results from...
What are pineberries? Pineberries are a type of strawberry. They are a cross between Fragaria chiloensis (a variety from Chile, also known as coastal strawberry) and Fragaria virginiana (from North America, also known as wild strawberry). They were developed through natural breeding techniques and are not a GMO (genetically modified). In fact, the common garden...
Spring vegetables are here! Asparagus, artichokes, peas, sweet onions, and a few edible flowers. We have plenty of recipes to share to make use of produce in season this month, as well as a guide on cooking with fruit in April. Asparagus Asparagus can be eaten raw or steams, roasted, and grilled. Check out 10...
A seasonal banana bread recipe with a homemade fig-maple syrup swirled into the batter that tastes like fig newton filling. This bread is a perfect way to use seasonal figs this summer and fall, even if they are slightly under or overripe. The recipe requires some extra steps to cook the maple-fig syrup, but it's...
After using almost 100 pounds of apples to test apple butter recipes, I've found the best apple varieties, cooking methods and ingredients to produce the best results. Best apples: McIntosh for their cider-like flavor and smooth consistency with cooked Best cooking method: pressure cooking for its ability to caramelize the sugars Best flavor tip: keep...
An easy way to get homemade apple chips nice and crispy is to bake them in the oven. The type of oven affects baking time as well as the final step towards getting crisp apple chips. You can make this recipe with or without sugar, it comes down to the flavor of the apple and...
Some apples are perfect and need no extra flavor - consider saving those for fresh eating or pies. But when you inevitably end up with apples that are a little bland or their texture isn't great - give them a second chance in applesauce with brown sugar. Best apples for applesauce Any kind of apple...
Farmers markets offer an endless supply of different types of apples in the fall, with a limited number of varieties available at grocery stores. Each type of apples can be rated on several characteristics: How sweet or tart does it taste? How firm or soft is the flesh? Is the flavor mild or strong? The...
Try a fresh cranberry sauce recipe this year with pears, hibiscus, bourbon, and more. You can make it ahead of time and store in the fridge for 4 days or freeze it well in advance. Start with a basic recipe For a simple cranberry sauce, try a 3-ingredient recipe or make it in an Instant...
Cranberries are in season from September through December and add a nice tart flavor to recipes. When you plan to cook with them, there are a few things to keep in mind: They will store in the fridge for a month (or more) A 12 oz bag equals about 3 cups of whole cranberries, and...
