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Is it safe to eat dyed Easter eggs?

You look forward to the tradition every year. You stock up on eggs, select your dyes, and pick a few patterns that will show off your creativity. Then for all of your efforts, you get to display your beautiful Easter handiwork on the table or as part of the big Easter egg hunt—but wait. Are those dyed eggs actually safe to eat? Well, it depends. It’s estimated that Americans dye more than 180 million eggs for Easter Sunday (read more incredible facts about eggs you never knew), so it would be a shame just to waste them. However, unless you set some parameters from the get-go, you’ll likely put yourself at risk for salmonella and eggs that end up in the trash. If you can answer “yes” to EVERY question on this list, your eggs are still safe to eat. If you answer “no” to one or more questions, it’s best…

Whiskey vs. Whisky: What’s the difference?

Whiskey or whisky? You may have found yourself, at one time, doing a double take at a liquor store. Yes, if you’re a whisk(e)y fan, you may have noticed some brands are spelled with an “e” while others skip the extra vowel. But why? In short, it has to do with a particular brand’s country of origin. Generally speaking, Irish whiskeys add the extra “e.” Likewise, the United States, with its heavy Irish heritage, typically spells whiskey with the extra letter, as well. Scottish distillers prefer “whisky”—without the “e”—as do other major distillers in Canada and Japan. A few notable exceptions to this rule include American brands Maker’s Mark and George Dickel, which refrain from using the “e.” In the case of Maker’s, this omission was a nod to the brand’s founding Samuels family’s Scottish ancestry, according to Scotchwhiskey.com. Another notable exception to this rule: legal usage. The Bureau of…

How to freeze cauliflower

Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable that’s great to have on-hand for soups, stir-fries, and more. It’s a low carb/keto lovers dream since it can be substituted for for pizza crust, rice, and even mashed potatoes. Cauliflower can stay fresh in the fridge for two or three weeks, but it comes in such large-sized heads, if you don’t have a large family, you might need to save some for later. Also see: How to freeze broccoli. Even if your family snacks on cauliflower all the time, the shape and size of a whole head can take up some serious space inside a smaller fridge. Putting in a bit of prep work to freeze it might help you save money, make less food waste, and have portions of cauliflower florets ready to go anytime you need them. Thawed cauliflower works best in cooked or sautéed. Since it loses a bit of firmness,…

How to freeze broccoli

So you bought or grew too much broccoli and you know you’ll never use it up in time. It’s your freezer to the rescue! Broccoli can easily be frozen and its healthy fiber and nutrients preserved for enjoying at a later date. The best part? The process is actually really simple. Here’s how: Also learn about 13 foods you should never freeze. Selecting the best broccoli Broccoli is a cool-weather crop. While any head can be frozen using this method, the tastiest results come when you freeze the ripest, freshest heats. Choose fresh broccoli at the market or at the store in early summer or mid-to-late fall. Or, even better, grow your own! Look for heads that are dense and firm. If buds are showing a hint of opening, opt for another. Prepare broccoli heads Remove any leaves and chop off any tough, woody stalks. You can also use a vegetable peeler to scrape…

5 new Peeps flavors available for Easter 2020

April is still weeks away, but Peeps fans will be thrilled to know that several brand new flavors are coming to stores in celebration of Easter 2020. And the new flavors do not disappoint! Peeps lovers can choose from 5 flavors: Froot Loops (available at Target and Walmart), Hot Tamales Fierce Cinnamon (available at Kroger), Raspberry Dipped in Crème Fudge (available only at Target), Root Beer Float (available nationwide), and Chocolate Pudding bunnies (available nationwide). Also see 14 fun facts about Peeps.  Along with these new marshmallow treats, Peeps released Peeps-flavors jelly beans and individually wrapped Peeps (available at Walmart)—perfect for your Easter egg hunt! “The Peeps Brand has become an icon in American pop culture, with it’s instantly recognizable colors, shapes and flavors holiday a special place int he hearts of many for nearly seven decades,” said Caitlin Servian, brand manager for Peeps, in a statement. “We strive to…

What’s the difference between Cajun and Creole cuisine?

Confused about what’s Cajun and what’s Creole? Though you might hear the terms Cajun and Creole used interchangeably, they are in fact, two distinct ethnic groups, each with its own history, traditions, culture, and of course, food. The two cuisines do share some common ingredients but differences can be difficult to point to, so here’s a quick breakdown of the basics. What’s the difference between Cajun and Creole? To be clear, both cuisines come from Louisiana, but one easy clue is that, generally speaking, Creole dishes will use tomatoes and traditional Cajun dishes will not. Another basic way to tell the difference is how locals talk about it—Creole as “city food” and Cajun as “country food.” But let’s dig a bit deeper. What is Cajun food? Cajun food can be traced back to the Acadiana region of southern Louisiana where the French settled. Settlers here were further away from the city…

This is why we eat ham on Easter

Holidays are chock-full of timeless traditions, perhaps in no category more steadfastly than food. What’s Thanksgiving without turkey? Halloween without candy? New Year’s without some bubbly? And of course, what would Easter dinner even be without a briny, salty ham? But aside from simply tradition, how did pigs come to play such an important role in our annual spring feast? It really just has to do with practical considerations and timing. Traditionally, pigs were slaughtered in the fall as temperatures cooled. This would allow the meat to stay fresher for much longer. Before refrigeration, farmers would set aside any unsold meat to be cured, or preserved, as to not waste food or income. That cured meat was finally ready to eat each year right around Easter. Also read, Why do eat chocolate bunnies on Easter? These days, slaughtering schedules don’t play an important of a part as simply our preference. While…

A short but sweet history of Hershey’s kisses

The year was 1907. Theodore Roosevelt was president of the United States, Oklahoma had been admitted as 46th state in the Union, and Hershey’s Chocolate Kisses came into the nation’s collective candy-loving conscious. Hershey’s has been planting its chocolaty kisses on Americans for more than 110 years. Today, the bite-sized candy is the 5th most popular chocolate brand in the country, with sales topping $400 million. To keep up with demand, more than 60 million Hershey’s Kisses are produced each day between the company’s two factories. So how exactly did this iconic candy get its lovable name? While no one alive today was there to witness the first bottom-heavy, bite-sized, chocolaty blob hit the conveyor belt, urban lore has it that the tasty treat was named for the lip-smacking sound the machinery made when dropping the melty chocolates during the manufacturing process. Naysayers argue that the word “kiss” had been a…

25 most romantic restaurants in Pittsburgh

The once industrial Steel City might be well-known for its dominating sports teams and french fry smothered salads and sandwiches—but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a softer side. Take the guesswork out of where to go this Valentine’s Day. From fire-lit dining, to impeccable service, historic architecture, and of course, decadent dishes, Pittsburgh’s most romantic restaurants have something for everyone. 1. Altius Award-winning Altius offers contemporary American cuisine served with a scenic city view. From its spectacular location atop Mt. Washington to its exceptional new dining concept created by B DeFrancis and Chef Jessica Bauer, Altius takes the dining experience “higher”—which just so happens to be the Latin translation of its name. Make reservations here.  1230 Grandview Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15211, Phone: 412-904-4442 2. Hyeholde Hyeholde sits on four acres of gardens and winding stone paths. It’s easy to see why it has long been considered one of the most…

What’s in season in February?

Nothing tastes better than fresh-picked fruits and veggies. If you too prefer your produce when it’s freshest from the farm, here’s what you should be buying in February. Fresh produce is tastier and cheaper since there is plenty of it—simple supply and demand here! So stock up, save money, and enjoy these fruits and vegetables grown this time of year right here in the U.S. Oranges Oranges show up every year right when we need their powerful vitamin C the most. Cold, grey days tend to be synonymous with sickness, but a healthy dose of OJ or a fresh orange a day can help keep the doctor away. Grapefruits Grapefruits also offer a pop of bright color and cheery flavor when we need it most. Grapefruits are perfectly ripe and juicy in February so enjoy them this month in fresh-squeeze juice, salads, or all on their own. Try this grapefruit…