Menu Enter a recipe name, ingredient, keyword...

Clever Uses for Baking Soda You Never Knew

,
Gourmandize
Cleans Fruits & Vegetables 4/12

© Thinkstock

Cleans Fruits & Vegetables

Remember: baking soda does not disinfect. However, it can be extremely useful when it comes to washing fruits and vegetables. One study found that soaking fresh produce in a bath of baking soda and water may be more effective than just washing or scrubbing them. This solution acts as a sort of detergent that helps dissolve and dilute the bits of dirt, insects or even pesticides that tend to stick to fresh produce. The study found, however, that it took a full 12 to 15 minutes of soaking for full pesticide removal. In the absence of time, we still recommend rinsing your produce well, and proper cleaning methods will on what pesticides were used and when. If you want to try the baking soda solution at home, simply combine 1 tsp baking soda and 2 cups of water. 


More steaming articles



Chef Tips and Tricks

VIDEO: Zebra Cake

Try this clever trick to make the perfect zebra cake!

Ingredients

  • 2 large water or soda bottles (empty)
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 sticks butter
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 tbsp cocoa powder

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Ready 2 large plastic bottles, cleaned and dried.
  3. Add 1 cup of flour to each bottle.
  4. Add 1/2 cup of sugar to each.
  5. Melt butter, then add equal halves to each bottle.
  6. Add 6 eggs, 3 in each.
  7. Add 1/2 tbsp of baking powder to each.
  8. Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream to each.
  9. Shake the bottles thoroughly until the contents are well mixed.
  10. In one of the bottles only, add the cocoa powder.
  11. Beginning with the cocoa powder mixture, add a dolop of batter to the center of a circular
  12. baking tin. Do the same with the other mixture, placing the dolop directly in the center of the previous one.
  13. Continue with alternating additions of each mixture until all batter is used and the tin is full.
  14. Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  15. Serve and enjoy!