Amanda

The “Secret” About Peanut Butter Most people assume that “butter” implies dairy, but standard peanut butter is naturally dairy-free. At its most basic, peanut butter is simply roasted peanuts ground into a paste. The “butter” in the name refers to…

The Science of the “Dry-Brined” Crunch Did you know that the secret to a crispy fish crust—especially in a 10-minute recipe—is surface moisture management? When you salt fish, it draws out liquid via osmosis. If that moisture hits the breadcrumbs,…

The Engineering of a Perfect Tube Did you know that Cannelloni (literally “large reeds”) is a masterpiece of structural cooking? Unlike lasagna, where the ingredients are layered horizontally, cannelloni uses cylindrical tension to keep the filling moist. The pasta tube…

The Science of the “No-Bake” Set Did you know that without eggs or oven heat to denature proteins, a no-bake cheesecake relies entirely on lipid-stabilization and moisture control? The “set” comes from the cold saturated fats in the cream cheese…

The Science of the Cure Beetroot-cured salmon (often called Beetroot Gravlax) is a stunning display of osmosis and natural pigmentation. When you coat raw salmon in a mixture of salt, sugar, and grated beets: This results in a vibrant, “electric”…

Can You Make Pizza Without the Wait? Did you know that yeast is a biological leavening agent that requires hours to produce carbon dioxide, but baking powder is a chemical leavener that reacts instantly when it touches moisture? If you’ve…

Is it a Pizza or a Savory Casserole? Did you know that Chicago Deep-Dish is built upside down to protect the ingredients from the long bake time? Unlike a thin-crust pizza that cooks in 90 seconds, a deep-dish “pie” requires…

Can a Five-Minute Meal Enhance Cognitive Creativity? Did you know that “food art” or decorative cooking is often used in occupational therapy to improve fine motor skills and creative problem-solving? Making Mini Halloween Pizzas isn’t just a quick dinner; it’s…

Why is it More Than Just “Fruit on Bread”? Did you know that the avocado is one of the few fruits containing high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, which are essential for nutrient absorption? When you eat avocado toast, the…

Why Does Pudding Mix Change Everything? Did you know that the secret to the ultra-soft, “bakery-style” texture of these cookies is actually a feat of hydrocolloid chemistry? Instant pudding mix contains modified cornstarch and sodium alginate, which act as powerful…