So what is milk used for beyond completing our favorite recipes? You may be surprised at the many things you might do with it around your home. More specifically, milk and white vinegar. Credit:Getty Images Mixtwo parts milk and one part vinegar, then apply the solution to theink stain. Let the garment soak overnight, then launder as usual. Add a generous squeeze of honey for even more skin benefits and a delicate, sweet fragrance....
Mirepoix is a humble vegetable combination that lays the foundation for big flavor in many dishes. Wondering what that complex and rich underlying flavor is in a dish? The one that you just can’t put your finger on? Credit: Hannah Zimmerman Chances are it’s mirepoix. From the humblechicken noodle soupto fancyBoeuf Bourguignon, mirepoix is a common starting point. What Is Mirepoix? Credit: Hannah Zimmerman What Is Mirepoix Made Of? The combination includesyellow or white onion, carrot, and celery....
Here’s the true story behind this beloved “Southern” ingredient. Almost every recipefrom her mama’s homemade yeast rolls to her back-pocket chocolate cakecalled for oleo. But what is oleo and why is it in so many recipes? Credit:Kendyll Hillegas I remember asking my mom what oleo was, and she said it was like butter. Turns out she was right on target. Here’s the story behind oleo. What Is Oleo? You may know oleo by its more modern (and original) namemargarine....
It’s less complicated than it sounds. Oleo-Saccahrum sounds like it belongs in a chemistry lab, but it’s a surprisingly uncomplicated ingredient. What Is Oleo-Saccharum? Credit: Will Dickey Oleo-Saccharum is a homemade lemon oil made from lemon peels mixed with sugar. Oleo-saccharum is most often used incocktails, but it can be used in a variety of recipes. Does It Have Anything to Do With Oleo For Baking? Credit: Will Dickey The only thing they have in common is the Latin word for oil, oleo....
Don’t worryit’s not a dessert. But some folks who can’t abide them raw change their tunes when oysters are cooked. And no dish is proof of that dramatic swing of opinion more than oyster pie. Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall What Is the Origin of Oyster Pie? If you’ve never heard of oyster pie, you’re not alone. I grew up in Mississippi, and it was definitely not on our dinner table....
The bright green sauce originated in Genoa, Italy, and today is used in countless ways in recipes. Learn how to make pesto, its history, and ways to use it. What Is Pesto? Credit:Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss All of the ingredients were combined and blended with olive oil to form a paste. Pesto originated in Genoa, Italy, in the 16th century. It was traditionally made using a mortar and pestle....
For some, it is a reminder of home. The smell is all thanks to the state’s unique mud known lovingly as “pluff mud.” What Is Pluff Mud? Credit: ehrlif/Getty Images The mud is unique toSouth Carolina’s salt marshes. How Did Pluff Mud Get Its Name? During the early 19th century, farmers used the marshland mud in their cotton fields as a fertilizer. Back then, “plow” was spelled “plough,” and hence where it got its name....
That explains why Memaws collection of figurines could be worth an impressive sum. We’ve all heard of porcelain. We’ve all used porcelain. Credit: Getty/bbibbiggonn Many of us grew up dusting the Lladro porcelain at Grandma’s house. Porcelain seems ubiquitousbut have you ever wondered what it is exactly? And why it costs so much? Porcelain History Porcelain making is an old art. What punch in of Ceramic Is Porcelain? Porcelain is technically a specialized subset of ceramics; both are made of clay and kiln fired....
For starters, it’s the best part of making greens and beans. But a true Southern cook knows that potlikker should never, EVER be left behind. The history of potlikker dates back to enslaved cooks trying to make the most of the food they had. Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster The concentrated liquid left behind after boiling greens or beans maintains roots deep in Southern culture and cooking traditions....
Getty Images Pruning is defined as the manual removal of branches to alter a plants health and form. It’s a term most often used when discussing the care oftreesand woody shrubs. Since most home gardens include both, pruning is an essential task thats both an art and a science. Credit:Getty Images Types of Pruning The method you use when pruning depends on your final goal for the plant. Directing Growth:Pruning helps train young trees and shrubs to develop a strong structure....
Can you cut corners with an imitation product? Vanilla extract shows up on the ingredients list for a wide variety of treats. Everything from puddings andchocolate chip cookiesto classic cheesecake andpound cakecalls for a teaspoon or two. Credit: Getty Images But what exactly is pure vanilla extract? Stephen Chavezis a senior chef-instructor of Pastry & Baking Arts at the Institute of Culinary Education. What Is Pure Vanilla Extract? Vanilla extract is a flavoring agent used to enhance a variety of desserts and even savory dishes....
It’s one of our favorite signsof spring. What Is Rhubarb? Is It A Fruit Or Vegetable? Credit:Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Botanically, rhubarb is a vegetable that looks like red celery with large leaves. (On the other hand, tomatoes, which we normally use as vegetables,are actually fruits.) Supposedly, the USDA made fruit classification in 1947 because tariffs for importing fruits were cheaper than vegetables. Credit:Antonis Achilleos Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer...
Let’s set the record straight on these hair dyes and how they’re different. What exactly issemi-permanenthair color and how is it different from permanent hair color? Well, turns out, these two coloring processes aren’t nearly as similar as we assumed. Credit: hedgehog94 / Getty Images What Is Semi-Permanent Hair Color? Compared to permanent color, semi-permanent color islow-maintenanceand less of a long-term commitment. It wears off in just about three weeks because it doesn’t contain chemicals such as ammonia or peroxide....
