How Do I Know If Salmon Is Sushi Grade?

Salmon is the 2nd most popular fish used in sushi. But can you just buy any salmon from the grocery store if you want to make your own? And how do I know if salmon is sushi grade? As a general rule, salmon that is appropriate for sushi is labeled as “sushi-grade”, “sashimi-grade” or “safe … Read more

How Hot is Louisiana Hot Sauce? Scoville vs. Flavor Breakdown

Hot sauces are great with a variety of meals. And for some, the hotter, the better. Several Louisiana brands are known for their heat, but how hot is Louisiana hot sauce? Original Louisiana brand hot sauce rates 450 on the Scoville scale, which makes it fairly mild. A jalapeño pepper, by comparison, can be as … Read more

Is Sushi Really Raw Fish?

Sushi is one of the Japanese delicacies we all crave now and then. But there are certain things about it that some folks are not really sure about. For instance, is sushi really raw fish? Sushi can be made with raw fish, but many types of sushi are made with cooked seafood such as tempura … Read more

What Does Aluminum-Free Baking Powder Mean?

Baking powder is used to lighten the texture and increase the volume of baked goods. But different brands of baking powder contain different ingredients, so what does aluminum-free baking powder mean? Aluminum-free baking powder is simply baking powder that does not contain aluminum as one of its ingredients. Aluminum is used in baking powder to … Read more

Does Trader Joe’s Sell Humanely Raised Meat?

Trader Joe’s is known for a lot of quality groceries at great prices. But they don’t have a full-service meat department, so does Trader Joe’s sell humanely raised meat? Trader Joe’s does sell some humanely raised meat as they sell meat from both conventional and all-natural producers. Not all meat at Trader Joe’s is humanely … Read more

Should I Trust Supermarket Sushi?

Let’s face it. For those of us who love sushi, we can’t always make it to a good sushi restaurant. And we see the big sushi case at the grocery store and wonder, should I trust supermarket sushi? Sushi from reputable grocery stores is totally trustworthy and as safe to consume as restaurant sushi. While … Read more

How Can You Tell Good Quality Beef?

Going to the grocery store’s meat department can be overwhelming. There are so many choices in the beef section alone with lots of different products and best-by dates. So, how can you tell good quality beef? Identify good quality beef by looking for a bright red color, little to no pooling of blood in the … Read more