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10 foods that aren’t what you think they are

There’s nothing like watching a baseball game while snacking on a bag full of legumes, except perhaps, sitting down to dinner with some warm, crusty Italian bread dipped in soybean oil. Yes, what we eat isn’t always what we think we’re eating. Here are 10 foods that you’re probably not getting what you think you paid for. Maple Syrup Those images of flannel-clad men tapping a tree in the wilderness are pretty much the stuff of yesterday for most mass-produced syrup brands. If your bottle says “pancake syrup” or “imitation maple,” it’s likely just flavored maple (with fillers like corn syrup and other sugars) without containing much — if any — real maple. Stick with bottles that say “pure maple syrup” when you want to smother your homemade pancake stack with the real deal. Try these must-make Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes. Crab stick Ever wonder why crab stick is so inexpensive…

Mediterranean tricolored rotini crab pasta salad

I make this recipe no less than 10 times a year. It’s always a hit at friend gatherings. It’s a must at Memorial Day. I never have leftovers when I bring it to work potlucks, and it’s perfect to have ready in the fridge anytime you think people might stop by. Plus, you can prepare it the night before, never worry about keeping it hot, and you can adapt the recipe to make as much as you like. When you have to feed a large number of people, try this pasta salad instead of your go-to lasagne. I made a huge bowl of this for my friends after they had their baby and they appreciated someone finally brought them something lighter and healthier! You can add anything to the mix from shredded mozzarella to sunflower seeds or blueberries. I like tossing in mandarin orange slices for a touch of sweetness and crushed croutons for some…

Baked Crab Rangoons with spicy apricot dipping sauce

If you’ve never had a crab rangoon, or if you’ve only had them fried, prepare for your next great obsession. Rangoon’s, or crab puffs, are typically made up of crab meat, cream cheese, and onions with any number of additions such as carrots, garlic or Worcestershire sauce. They are common appetizers nowadays, appearing on most Thai and Chinese food menus in the U.S. While their history is unclear, cream cheese is essentially nonexistent throughout Southeast Asia, so they are likely neither Thai nor Chinese in origin, and yet just another delicious deep-fried, cheesy American invention. When crab rangoons are on a menu, I’m blindsided. I no longer feel the pangs of culinary adventure. I couldn’t care less about the special entrees or appetizers on the menu that evening. My focus is set on those warm, cheesy, crab bites and what surprise sauce the restaurant might be serving with them. I decided if…