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.

Tips for Selecting, Prepping and Storing Winter Leafy Greens

Kales and collards are good year-round but are best after a cold spell. They develop sweetness after the cold. The leaves should be supple and seem succulent rather than leathery. For Russian kale, choose bunches that have the largest leaf-to-stem ratio you can find while avoiding “mature” plants with leathery leaves. Stemming Russian kale can...

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How to Steam Sweet Potatoes

Although we love baked sweet potatoes, steaming is quicker and produces a perfectly moist potato. Steamed baked potatoes take about 30 minutes, while baked potatoes take at least an hour. This method is for medium-sized potatoes. However, if you have only large-sized potatoes, you can cut them in half. (1) Fill the lower part of...

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I Yam What I Yam

Have you ever wondered about what the difference is between sweet potatoes and yams? Sweet potatoes are also called ‘yams’ — however, these tuberous root vegetables are actually from two very different plants. Sweet potatoes are related to morning glories and true yams are related to palms and grasses. When you buy a ‘yam’ at...

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How to Make Almond Butter

With a new crop of almonds plentiful at the farmers market this time of year, you can quickly and easily make delicious homemade almond butter using your food processor. Almonds are a rich source of protein and vitamin E. Almond butter can be used like peanut butter on sandwiches or in baking or cooking. And...

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How to Make Pomegranate Molasses

Tangy pomegranate molasses is an easy-to-make magical ingredient that adds a spark of acidity and a complex depth of flavor to salad dressings, stews, dipping sauces, and marinades much like wine does for many dishes. Consider adding it to cocktails or mocktails — just stir it into sparkling water. Use pomegranate molasses as a meat...

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How to Make Homemade Spice Blends

Homemade spice blends cost a fraction of the cost of store-bought blends — plus they contain none of the anti-caking additives usually found in commercial blends. Use fresh spices to blend — and store your blends in airtight containers. Inexpensive spice jars can be found at Cost Plus, Michael’s, or online. Better yet, recycle your...

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Cooking with Whole Grains

Whole grains are healthy, highly nutritious, contain fiber and protein, and are a great substitute for refined carbohydrates. If you find it challenging to get the recommended three servings of whole grains each day, try adding them to soups, salads, and main dishes, or eat them like hot cereal in the morning. Enjoy crunchy textures...

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How to Cut and Peel Winter Squash

Peeling and cutting thick, tough-skinned winter squashes can be challenging, even for a chef! Here are some tips: To remove the stem, use the back of the knife or cleaver closest to the handle, or use a mallet to knock it loose. When cutting the squash, see if the skin is really slick. If it...

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Make Your Own Baking Mix

Let’s face it – baking mixes have their place in the pantry, especially when it comes to making a quick batch of biscuits or pancakes for the family. However, convenience has its price and who wants to pay the high prices of baking mixes? Did you know that you can make an almost identical baking...

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