Hey, it's Paula - Producer of Our Daily Bread - I found some interesting facts on Super Foods in the June issue of Parenting Magazine and wanted to share them with you.
Blueberries - protects against heart disease, diabetes and improves brain functions. Research now suggests that they may help reduce visceral toxic belly fat, which is a type of fat that has been linked to obesity.
Cocoa Powder - contains one of the highest concentrations of flavonoids, which is a compound known to improve blood pressure, heart and oral health. Just make sure it is not processed with Alkali (also called Dutch processed), because this process removes most of the flavonoids.
Cinnamon – research shows this spice can help regulate blood sugar.
Basil - contains antioxidants and vitamins A, C and K, as well as iron potassium and calcium and can help aide in digestion.
Have you ever been half way through a recipe and realized you don't have an ingredient you need?
Recently I found a wonderfully old book titled
"The Good Cook's Companion" c. 1981
And in it, is a chapter devoted to this problem.
It's called Substitutions. I thought I'd share a few with you!
1 tsp. Allspice = 1/2 tsp. cinnamon + 1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. Baking Powder = 1 tsp. baking soda + 1 tsp. cream of tartar
1 cup Buttermilk = 1 cup milk + 1 Tbsp. vinegar
2/3 cup Honey = 1 cup sugar + 1/3 cup water
1 tsp. Italian Seasoning = 1/4 tsp. each of oregano, basil, thyme, & rosemary
1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice = 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. ginger & 1/8 tsp. each of nutmeg and ground cloves
10 oz. pkg. Frozen Strawberries = 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries + 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup Raisins = 1/2 cup cut prunes
1 Tbsp. Cornstarch = 2 Tbsp. flour
1 1/2 cups Corn Syrup = 1 cup sugar + 1/2 cup water
Handy Conversions
Volume/Weight
3 tsp = 1 Tbsp. = 15ml
16 Tbsp. = 1 cup = 236 ml
4 cups = 1 qt. = 946 ml
128 fl. oz. = 1 gallon = 3.8 Liters
1 lb. = 16 oz. = .45 kg
Food Equivalents
1/4 lb. cheese = 1 cup shredded
1 cup Heavy Cream = 2 cups whipped
1 lg. onion = 3/4 cup to 1 cup chopped
1 stick margarine = 1/2 cup
1 lb potatoes = 3 medium = 2 1/4 cup diced
Temperatures
0*C = 32* F
177* C = 350* F