Sarah Ryan

Semolina flour is one of my favorites. It is a coarse, high-protein flour made from durum wheat, a variety known for its high gluten content and golden color. It is commonly used in Italian cuisine for making pasta and in Mediterranean, North African, and Indian dishes, such as couscous, bread, desserts, and porridge. The high gluten content in semolina flour contributes to its strong, elastic properties, making it ideal for [...]

Sesame flour is a nutrient-dense, gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat flour. It is made by grinding sesame seeds, often after removing the oil, so it isn’t too fatty. Sesame flour adds a distinct, nutty flavor to various recipes and can be used in bread, cookies, pancakes, and other dishes as a partial or total replacement for wheat flour. As sesame flour does not contain gluten, it may require recipe adjustments [...]

Soy flour is one of the OGs of alternative baking. A versatile, protein-rich flour, it makes it an excellent option for those with gluten sensitivities or following gluten-free diets. Soy flour comes in different varieties, such as full-fat, low-fat, and defatted, which vary in their oil content and nutritional value. In cooking and baking, soy flour imparts a mild flavor, though I can definitely tell it came from a legume, [...]

Margarine was the spread of my childhood. In the 80s, it was the preferred choice for many families over butter, making it an integral part of many a kitchen. I remember I only ever ate butter at my grandmother's house because my mother wouldn’t dare have such an unhealthy saturated fat in her fridge! My how things have changed. Nowadays, more people are beginning to realize that margarine isn’t the healthiest option [...]

Sunflower oil has to be one of the top 5 that I’d mention if you asked me to list cooking oils without even thinking about it. It has been on supermarket shelves my entire life and in pantries nearly everywhere I’ve lived or visited. So why the popularity? Well, sunflower oil is a good all-rounder that’s relatively cheap and can be used in a range of cooking applications. But it isn’t the only player in town. There are [...]

Safflower oil is a versatile cooking oil derived from the seeds of the safflower plant. There are two main types, high-linoleic safflower oil and high-oleic safflower oil, the latter containing more monounsaturated fat, making it more stable at higher temperatures.  Safflower oil is valued for its neutral flavor and high smoke point, so what can you replace it with if you do not have it on hand? How about: Let’s [...]