Culinary Features | Edible Paradise

Welcome to Culinary Features

Shopping at your local farmers market for locally grown, farm fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts is a big step in the right direction toward a healthier lifestyle!

In the Culinary Features section, you’ll find educational resources for cooking and preparation tips, learn how to make pantry staples that are healthier for you at a fraction of the cost of store-bought items, and informative nutrition and health news articles.

Olio Nuovo: Fresh Olive Oil at Its Healthiest

Olio Nuovo—literally “new oil”—is extra virgin olive oil at its freshest, bottled immediately after pressing. Available for only a brief window each harvest season at Belle Farms, this vibrant, unfiltered oil offers not only remarkable flavor, but exceptional health benefits as well. Packed with Powerful Antioxidants Because Olio Nuovo is made from freshly harvested olives...

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How to Tenderize Abalone

Abalone is a large mollusk that is as delicious as it is tough. If you’re not buying pre-tenderized abalone, you’ll have to do the “tenderizing” yourself. Start by trimming away the dark, curly edges, which tend to stay tough. Then, slice it into thin 1/4-inch slices. Place a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper...

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Understanding Umami: The Fifth Taste That Makes Food Come Alive

If you’ve ever taken a bite of something and instantly thought, “Oh wow… that’s so good,” you were probably tasting umami — the fifth official taste, right alongside sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. It’s that savory, mouth-filling richness that makes broths comforting, tomatoes irresistible, and aged cheeses unforgettable. And once you know what umami is...

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Turkey Roasting Guide

Master the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast with our step-by-step Turkey Roasting Guide. From seasoning and roasting tips to perfect doneness temperatures and gravy secrets, we’ll help you achieve a juicy, golden-brown turkey your guests will remember long after the leftovers are gone.

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10 Tips for Making the Best Pie Crust

Master the secret to a perfect pie crust with these 10 expert tips for achieving a buttery, flaky, golden result every time. From using a mix of fats to keeping your ingredients ice-cold, this guide breaks down every step for success. Learn how to handle the dough gently, roll it with ease, and bake it...

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Basic Crêpes

Don’t be intimidated by the idea of making crêpes—they’re every bit as easy as pancakes once you get the rhythm. With just a few simple ingredients and a swirl of the pan, you can create delicate, paper-thin crêpes ready to fill with anything from berries and cream to savory mushrooms and cheese. Once you’ve mastered...

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Baking with Olive Oil

If you haven’t tried baking with olive oil yet, you’re in for a treat! Replacing the traditional vegetable oil or butter in cakes, muffins, or brownies with olive oil not only adds a subtle richness but also provides important health benefits. By using olive oil instead of butter, you reduce saturated fat and replace it...

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Homemade Pancake Mix

There’s nothing like a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes to start the morning — but on a busy weekday, measuring and mixing from scratch can feel like a luxury. Having your own homemade pancake mix ready to go turns those weekend-style breakfasts into an easy everyday treat. Unlike store-bought mixes, this one uses just a...

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Young woman learning how to make preserves

Canning Basics: Your Questions Answered

If you have questions about canning ingredients, tools, or resources, send us an email and we will be happy to answer your questions! Q: Are liquid pectin and powdered pectin interchangeable?A: No. Use exactly what your recipe specifies. Q: How long is pectin shelf stable?A: Pectin (both powdered and liquid) should be used the year...

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