Samantha's Portfolio

Foodie • 18th October 2023

What The Malt In A Milkshake Really Is

When you think of malt, you may imagine the nutty flavor of malted whiskey or even malted beer. Or you may think of a rich, frothy shake that could be served at a vintage soda fountain, or perhaps you think of "Whoppers," a malted milk ball candy. If you are a keen baker, you may have even made bread using malt powder. So what exactly is malt, and how is it equally at home in a chocolate malt milkshake as it is in Vegemite?

Foodie • 16th October 2023

We Finally Know Whether Olives Are Actually Fruits Or Vegetables

We Finally Know Whether Olives Are Actually Fruits Or Vegetables When enjoying tapenade, olives on your pizza, or drizzling olive oil on your salad, you probably aren't thinking about whether olives are a vegetable or fruit. Since olives are naturally bitter-tasting, it seems obvious that they are vegetables. Or is it? It's official, olives are the fruit of the Olea Europaea tree. They are more specifically a stone fruit, or drupe, like cherries, apricots, or peaches.

Foodie • 16th October 2023

You Should Definitely Be Freezing All Of Your Extra Herbs

You Should Definitely Be Freezing All Of Your Extra Herbs Fresh herbs elevate even the simplest dishes into an experience. The problem is whether you grow your own or buy fresh herbs from your local grocery store, they don't last very long. While this paper towel trick can extend the life of your fresh herbs, they still will only last a few weeks at most. If you want to enjoy the scent and taste of herbs without waste, then you may be interested in freezing your extra herbs.

Foodie • 15th October 2023

Actually, It Does Matter How You Load Utensils In The Dishwasher

Actually, It Does Matter How You Load Utensils In The Dishwasher

If your home is like most, chances are you have an ongoing debate with your partner or housemate about the right way to load the dishwasher. You may think whatever works, and that's true, though when it comes to loading your utensils, there are a few things most experts agree on. So, yes, the way you load your dishwasher matters.

Foodie • 15th October 2023

There Actually Is A Difference Between Champagne And Prosecco

Next time you reach for a bottle of bubbly, you may wonder whether you should grab Champagne or prosecco. Even though they are similar, they are not interchangeable, and knowing the differences between them makes it easier to choose which one to serve. The key differences between Champagne and prosecco are rooted in each's birthplace.

Foodie • 14th October 2023

Liquid Olives Blur The Line Between Tapas And Science Project

Olives are a classic accouterment for cocktails and charcuterie boards; they're simple seeming enough, but when you turn them into a liquid olive, now that's something both new and familiar. In case you are unfamiliar, liquid olives are kind of what they sound like; an olive is pureed, coated in olive oil, and held together with a thin gel layer.

Foodie • 9th October 2023

How Non-Alcoholic Wine Is Actually Made - Foodie

How Non-Alcoholic Wine Is Actually Made If you are someone who enjoys having a glass of wine with your dinner but wants to avoid or limit your alcohol intake, then you are probably familiar with the range of alcohol-free wines, but do you know how they're made? Often, people unfamiliar with modern dealcoholized wine brands assume it is just pasteurized grape juice, but that's not the case.

Foodie • 8th October 2023

Actually, Mold On Food Isn't Always A Bad Thing - Foodie

Actually, Mold On Food Isn't Always A Bad Thing

Everyone has those moments when they looked forward to enjoying a treat they picked up from the grocery store the other day (or week) only to find a little furry mold growing. You may wonder whether it is okay to cut the mold off or whether it is dangerous. The answer varies depending on the food.

Foodie • 7th October 2023

You Should Know The Difference Between Scotch And Bourbon - Foodie

You Should Know The Difference Between Scotch And Bourbon The world of whiskey can be both confusing and fascinating. The nuances of flavor, aroma, and origin tell a story in every glass. But first, it helps to understand some basic terminology. For example, when deciding whether to order Scotch and bourbon, you may wonder what's the difference. Both are popular and iconic whiskies. Scotch and bourbon are both grain-based spirits that are distilled and barrel-aged.

Foodie • 1st October 2023

Why The Origin Of Monterey Jack Cheese's Name Is So Sad - Foodie

Imagine a time when California was still a part of Mexico; this is the backdrop for the story of Monterey Jack cheese. The tale of its naming takes us on a journey back to 19th-century California and to a man named David Jacks. While the cheese may be mild-mannered, its name reflects some of the ruthlessness associated with the Gold Rush and West Coast land grabs. It's both fascinating and sad.

Foodie • 1st October 2023

The Ridiculously Simple Tip To Prevent Guacamole From Turning Brown - Foodie

While guacamole is easy to make, keeping it fresh and green is where the challenge lies. Unless you plan to eat the whole batch at once, you may have leftovers. Luckily, there are a few techniques to keep it looking and tasting fresh. Before exploring a few techniques that can help preserve that verdant hue, it helps to consider why guacamole turns brown so quickly.

Foodie • 20th September 2023

Why You Should Be Using Your Stove's Back Burners More Often - Foodie

Why You Should Be Using Your Stove's Back Burners More Often

If you use a gas stove, you probably love how quickly it heats up and how evenly it cooks. Unfortunately, it also releases pollutants into the air, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde into your home, according to the California Air Resources Board. Exposure to these pollutants can contribute to headaches, and fatigue, and be a trigger for people with asthma or lung conditions.

Foodie • 15th September 2023

The Reason You Should Be Blooming Your Spices - Foodie

The Reason You Should Be Blooming Your Spices If you want to coax maximum flavor from your spices and seasoning, then it's time to bloom your spices. "Blooming" or tempering is a cooking technique in which seasonings are cooked in oil before they are added to a dish. Heat helps release the aromas and flavors in many herbs and spices. Plus, blooming can add a new dimension to the texture as seeds may be toasted for a tiny touch of crunch. The technique is deceptively simple. Heat a couple of tabl

Foodie • 9th September 2023

The Best Days Of The Week To Eat At Restaurants (Hint: It's Not The Weekend) - Foodie

The Best Days Of The Week To Eat At Restaurants (Hint: It's Not The Weekend) In just about any city, an impromptu visit to a popular restaurant usually comes with a long wait time, stressed staff, and a noisy, crowded environment; that is if you go during the weekend. While it is nice to have dinner with a date or unwind with friends during brunch over the weekend, in many ways, the best days to eat out are actually earlier in the week.

Foodie • 1st September 2023

You Should Be Infusing Your Cocktail's Simple Syrup More Often - Foodie

You Should Be Infusing Your Cocktail's Simple Syrup More Often

Whether you enjoy mixing your own cocktails or baking, homemade infused simple syrup is an easy way to add a special touch to your drinks. Once you get the knack, you just may wonder why you don't do this more often. Whether you enjoy a fruity drink or something a little more simple, infused syrups can be one of the easiest ways to take a standard drink and make it your signature cocktail.

Foodie • 1st September 2023

Kewpie Mayo Is The Secret Ingredient That's Missing In Your Egg Salad - Foodie

Kewpie Mayo Is The Secret Ingredient That's Missing In Your Egg Salad

Egg salad is one of those meals you can keep super simple or add special ingredients to make into your own signature salad. With just two main ingredients — you really only need eggs and mayonnaise — each one becomes super important and can take your egg salad from mundane to a full umami flavor bomb.

Foodie • 1st September 2023

The Etiquette Rules You Should Follow When At A Winery - Foodie

The Etiquette Rules You Should Follow When At A Winery Spending an afternoon or evening at a winery is a delightful sensory experience. Not only do you get to drink some delicious vino, but you also get to do it in a gorgeous setting. Whether it is a vineyard where they grow the grapes or an urban tasting room designed to give a similar intimate feeling, most are happy to serve anyone from complete noobs to wine professionals.

Foodie • 31st August 2023

The Wasabi Served At Restaurants Actually Isn't The Real Deal - Foodie

The Wasabi Served At Restaurants Actually Isn't The Real Deal If you love the fiery kick of wasabi on your sushi or wasabi peas, you may be surprised to learn that your wasabi paste may not contain real wasabi. Most wasabi pastes found in the United States are made from a blend of horseradish and mustard that is tinted green, according to Washington State University.

Mashed • 11th August 2023

The Fancy Garnish Mistake You're Making With Classic Cocktails - Mashed

When it comes to a cocktail like the classic Negroni, it's all in the details. Not only do you need to mix your ingredients in the right ratio, but you also need the right glass for the drink and possibly even a citrus garnish to top it all off. When everything comes together, it is magic, but it's also easy to get it wrong — especially with a citrus peel garnish.

Mashed • 3rd August 2023

The Big Difference Between A Perfect And Improved Cocktail - Mashed

When ordering a martini, you have more to think about than whether you want it shaken or stirred, or with olives or a twist. For example, do you prefer a perfect martini or an improved one?

"Perfect" is one of those terms that can be confusing. People often use it to refer to something that is flawless or of impeccable quality. But in mixology, "perfect" has an additional meaning.

Mashed • 31st July 2023

Grocery Stores Turned Everything We Know About Fast Food On Its Head - Mashed

Fast food and casual dining restaurants face increasing competition from an unlikely source: Supermarkets are moving beyond groceries and doubling as restaurants. Welcome to the age of the "grocerant," where the line between shopping and dining is becoming deliciously blurred.

Mashed • 31st July 2023

Why José Andrés Wants You To Eat More Invasive Lionfish - Mashed

Chef, television personality, and activist José Andrés is known for using his platform to effect change. And this extends to his menu: He wants people to eat edible invasive species like lionfish to help restore balance in the marine ecosystem.

Native to the Indo-Pacific region, lionfish are revered for their beauty. They are also venomous and can become dangerous when they live in areas where they have few natural predators or competitors.

Mashed • 27th July 2023

Jell-O's New Logo Is Jiggly – In All The Right Ways - Mashed

Jell-O's New Logo Is Jiggly – In All The Right Ways

Sometimes a catchy jingle isn't enough: Jell-O just announced a branding update designed to convey "jiggly fun" for the whole family. The iconic Kraft Foods brand announced a visual rebranding update for the first time in a decade.

According to The Drum, Jell-O's parent company, Kraft Heinz, recently updated branding and packaging for 18 products, including Kraft Mac & Cheese.

Mashed • 16th July 2023

The Shrimp Trick To Keep Your Crab Cakes From Falling Apart - Mashed

The Shrimp Trick To Keep Your Crab Cakes From Falling Apart

Homemade crab cakes never fail to impress. If you use quality ingredients, the biggest problem you may face is keeping the cakes from falling apart. Most crab cake recipes include fillers like bread crumbs or potatoes as well as binders like eggs. These tend to reduce the flavor and you might still find yourself struggling to keep the cakes together long enough to serve them.