What can Black Pepper do ? The black pepper or (Piper Nigrum) is part of the Piperaceae family of flowering climbing vines. A pungent spice native to Southern India, that is not only consumed or added into other recipes, but is also popular for bioactive compounds, having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. An ingredient you add…
Why try Mangosteen ? The Mangosteen, also called the “Queen of Fruits” due to its unique creamy texture and sweet-sour flavor. And the fact that a rumor started that Queen Victoria would grant anyone who brought her this magnificent fruit, a knighthood. Thus dubbed the fruit its title. A purple looking berry coming from Southeast…
Why use Ginger ? The Ginger (Zingber officinale) is a flowering plant native to Asia, where the whole ginger or ginger roots are used as a spice and folk medicine. This knobby, tender, aromatic herbaceous perennial plant, is a popular home remedy used to cure stomach pain, sore throat, and nausea. These are also, used…
The Eggplant, a fruit thats part of the nightshade family of Solanaceae species. This family includes bell peppers, white potatoes, and tomatoes. This is a seasonal vegetable planted in the second half of spring, growing in loam or sandy loam soil. Technically a fruit but treated and cooked as a vegetable, providing a deliciously good…
Bangus or Milkfish ? The national fish of the Philippines, the Bangus or ‘Milkfish’ or ‘Chanos chanos’ in English, is part of the Chanidae family that lives around the Pacific and Indian Ocean. A popular fish in Southeast Asia, these have a streamlined and symmetrical appearance with a fairly large caudal fin, and can grow…
Tomatoes a fruit or vegetable? This vibrant red berry is a popular ingredient, adding a taste of rich savory goodness into a dish. Originating from the western part of South America, these are cultivated as part of the nightshade family, distinguished by its rounded birth red color, edible pulps, eaten raw or cooked. A warm…
The famous or infamous Durian (scientific name ‘Durio’), a fruit that very much represents ‘either you love it or hate it’ very clearly. Popular in Southeast Asia, lovingly eaten by many if you love a less sweet fruit, that’s creamy almost custard in texture, and loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. A Brief Introduction Called…
The String Beans vegetable (scientific name Phaseolus Vulgaris), also called ‘Green beans’ or ‘French Beans’ are a great source of essential nutrients like Fiber, Iron, Vitamin A, C, K, and Folic Acid. This vegetable, grown during the fall and summer months, is known to be a delicious, crispy, tender vegetable that’s easy to cook, needing…
Evaporated milk is an ingredient known to many as ‘unsweetened condensed milk’. This is a dairy product where almost 60% of the water has been evaporated. A great substitute for condensed milk if you’d prefer something less sweet and not as thick in texture. But why use evaporated milk instead? What dishes can you make…
Condensed milk is made from any milk, usually cow’s milk, with at least 60% of the water removed, often added with sugar as thickener. Canned sweetened condensed milk is a pantry staple used by many bakers to add sweetness or moisture into the baked goods without making them too wet. Some prefer using this can…
