Sarah Ryan

Did you know that barley is one of the oldest cultivated grains, dating back thousands of years ago? Yet it isn’t used so much today in baking, despite being nutritionally superior to run-of-the-mill all-purpose.  When I ask people what they know about it, they tell me it's an ingredient for some beers. While this is true, barley flour can be used in many recipes that call for wheat flour, making it an excellent [...]

Green banana flour is made from unripe green bananas and has unique properties that make it a popular choice for gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo baking. While no flour can perfectly replicate green banana flour, some alternatives share similar characteristics: When using alternative flours, it's essential to consider the differences in taste, texture, and absorbency and adjust recipes accordingly. You may need to [...]

The hemp plant is so incredibly versatile; it really is a marvel. In addition to eating delicious and nutritious hemp seeds, you can also use the oil to boost your food's nutrition.  Hemp oil is high in nutrients and fatty acids that can help promote better health. It has a distinct flavor, nutty and grassy, and is a great addition to foods like salads or smoothies. Unfortunately, it shouldn’t be used for heat cooking as it [...]

Flaxseed oil started gaining popularity as a health supplement in the 90s, around the same time as flaxseeds and flaxseed meal. The increasing awareness of the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid, abundant in flaxseed oil, contributed to its growing popularity.  Today, flaxseed oil remains popular as a dietary supplement and is used in various food products and skincare [...]

Beef tallow used to be one of the most common cooking fats years ago, and with good reason, as it gives food a rich, savory flavor. Still, it's no longer a popular choice due to its high saturated fat content and subsequent health concerns, causing a boom in vegetable oil-based cooking alternatives. However, now and then, you will come across a recipe listing beef tallow as an ingredient, and you may wonder what on earth [...]

Avocado oil is a versatile and nutrient-rich oil extracted from the flesh of avocados, usually those with cosmetic defects that aren’t deemed suitable for retail sale. Not only does it work well in most dishes, both raw and cooked, but it also can be used for cosmetic purposes for hair and skin!  Being so healthy and versatile, it is an oil I always have in the kitchen. So, let’s say I run out. What do I use instead? [...]