Category Archives: What’s in That?

Did you ever wonder what was in the food you eat? Is it healthy? Would you eat it if you knew what it was? What’s in That? explores the additives in common foods and gives homemade alternatives.

July 17, 2012

Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet Dinner Recipe

For some unknown reason my children like… actually like… convenience foods. My son, Chris, used to tell me that when he grew up he was going to eat nothing but Wonderbread and NEVER eat my icky homemade bread again.

EVER.

Can I just say now that he is 27, in Japan, and in the Air Force he eats my icky homemade bread every chance he gets. And, just to give hope to all of your frustrated moms out there – he cooks for himself and creates very healthy meals from fresh produce, lean proteins, and the occasional bag of Sour Patch Kids.

Take courage. Continue reading →

5 Comments

Filed under Main Dish, Real Food Real Quick, What's in That?

Tagged as 30 minute meals, cheese, easy recipes, onions, quick meals, recipes

February 27, 2012

What’s in That? How to Make Buttermilk

Buttermilk is that substance that maintains life and is the foundation of nearly every recipe in the South. It runs through our veins and finds its way into almost every recipe. It is good stuff. really good stuff, although you would not have convinced me of that when I was a kid.

My dad drank it. In a glass. With salt and pepper. It was not appetizing. The end.

Somewhere in my adult life, when I learned to cook, buttermilk became a staple ingredient. It makes pancakes fluffier, chicken tenderer, cakes rise higher, and frosting takes on a tang. It is also really healthy stuff. Buttermilk is one of those cultured dairy products, like yogurt, that contains probiotics. Continue reading →

13 Comments

Filed under Basics, Food Additives and Safety, What's in That?

Tagged as cultured buttermilk, how to make buttermilk, how to make buttermilk from scratch, making buttermilk from milk, milk to buttermilk, whole buttermilk

September 1, 2011

What’s in That? Applesauce

Nearly everyone likes applesauce. For most of us it is one of the first flavors we ever had in our mouths after breast milk or formula. And, if you want to get a real scent of autumn in your house all you need to do is begin a batch of applesauce simmering on the stove; pretty soon the whole house smells better than a Yankee Candle.

Making applesauce is something that few people do anymore. After all, it is quick, cheap, and readily available at the grocery store. That is sad, too. People who never make it will miss out on one of the most comforting scents and flavors ever created. Plus, although some commercial applesauces contain acceptable ingredients you had better read the label. There can be a host of other ingredients such as: Continue reading →

7 Comments

Filed under Food Additives and Safety, Fruit, Side Dish, What's in That?

Tagged as apples, food additives, HFCS, homemade applesauce, how to make applesauce, side dishes, What's In That?

June 23, 2011

What’s In That? Chicken Nuggets

Here is where we see how many of you really love me.

Chicken nuggets are convenient little pieces of boneless fried chicken that can be found everywhere from your local fast food establishment to the freezer section of the grocery store. Many of them contain one ubiquitous ingredient that we have briefly discussed but not in great and glorious detail until today.

Yes my friends THAT is mechanically separated chicken. It goes into your hot dogs… into bologna… into all kinds of yummy things that we scarf down without gagging. Or even thinking. Continue reading →

13 Comments

Filed under Food Additives and Safety, Main Dish, Meat, What's in That?

Tagged as chicken, chicken nuggets, easy recipes, homemade chicken nuggets, mechanically separated chicken, Panko crumbs, quick meals, recipes, snacks, What's In That?

June 16, 2011

What’s In That? Frozen Waffles

You have all seen the commercials, and I bet you have picked up those handy packages of frozen waffles in the store. I mean, you pop them in the toaster and crispy blissalicious are on your plate in minutes.

If you have kids it may mean an extra hour of sleep, and who doesn’t need that?

You know we all do. In fact, in light of the potential extra sleep, aren’t the ingredients worth it?