Tastessence

Vegetables & Fruit

Choosing, storing, prepping and cooking produce, with seasonal guides and the differences between varieties explained.

Overhead spread of fresh produce: tomatoes, chard, figs, blood orange and radishes

Vegetables & Fruit

A bowl of Watergate salad, a fluffy pistachio dessert with marshmallows, pineapple, and pecans

History and Recipe of Watergate Salad

Watergate salad is not at all a salad. It’s a popular American dish that could be had as a side dish or a dessert. Read this Tastessence article to know all about it.

A pineapple corer twisting into a fresh pineapple beside cut rings on a wooden cutting board

5 Ways to Core a Pineapple

Pineapples are best consumed when fresh, so all that remains is mastering the art of slicing it the right way. Tastessence tells you how to core a pineapple in 5 simple ways.

A wooden spoon dragged through a pot of thick, glossy tomato sauce

How to Properly Thicken Tomato Sauce to Make a Variety of Dishes

Italian food is a rich storehouse of many sauce types, like red, white, or clear sauce. Many a time, we are tempted to make that delicious red sauce at home itself. But it turns out to be disastrous quite often, when we end up having a pot full of thin, runny, and watery red tomato juice in the pot, instead of sauce. Tastessence tells you of ways to thicken homemade tomato sauce.

Fresh red and black currants beside currant jam and a currant muffin on a wooden surface

Culinary Uses and Other Benefits of Currants

A rich source of phytonutrients, currants belong to the gooseberry family. They are often used in drinks and desserts due to their wonderful flavor. This Tastessence article enumerates the culinary uses and health benefits of currants.

A whole Korean melon beside wedges showing its pale flesh and edible seeds on a wooden board

How to Eat a Korean Melon

It is actually very easy to eat a Korean melon, because you can eat this fruit along with its seeds and skin. This Tastessence article provides information on the different ways of enjoying this sweet and delicious melon.

A bowl of thick, creamy mashed potatoes with a spoon lifting a swirl to show its dense texture

4 Remarkably Brilliant Ways to Thicken Runny Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes make a delicious side dish. While preparing this dish at home, you should be very careful about the preferred consistency. However, if by any chance, it becomes too runny, you can still mend it using simple methods. This Tastessence article provides you with a guide to fix soupy mashed potatoes.

Glossy cooked tapioca pearls in a bowl beside a spoonful of raw opaque tapioca pearls on a counter

8 Simple Steps to Make Tapioca Pearls from Scratch

Cassava starch is called tapioca, which is processed into several forms, one of them being in the pearl or spherical form known as tapioca pearls. These pearls are opaque in their raw form and appear translucent when cooked. Tastessence gives you step-by-step instructions to make this gelatinous food at home.

Halved roasted pattypan squash beside whole scallop-shaped pattypan squashes on a wooden board

These 5 Unique Ways Show How to Cook Pattypan Squash Perfectly

Cooking vegetables and making them a hit item is always quite a task. A pattypan squash is no exception to this. However, to ease your worries, Tastessence presents you with five unique ideas of cooking this vegetable in delicious ways.

Whole and sliced bitter gourd on a wooden board with a bowl of salt for reducing bitterness

10 Simple Tips to Reduce the Bitterness of Bitter Gourd

Well, they don’t call it the bitter gourd just for kicks! Unfortunately, they are as good for us as they are horrific to taste. But fear not! There are several simple solutions to mask that bitterness to get to that healthy body.

Roasted asparagus spears on a baking sheet, one batch glazed with olive oil, another finished with melted butter

How to Cook Asparagus in the Oven

One of the best spring produce is asparagus, with its long juicy spears and it subtle delicate flavor. There are many ways of cooking asparagus and preparing them in an oven is just one of them. In this article we are going to discuss how to cook asparagus in the oven. Read on, for more info...

Fresh passion fruit puree pouring from a glass pitcher beside halved passion fruits on a kitchen counter

Passion Fruit Puree Recipe

Passion fruit is an exotic fruit. Making a puree of this fruit is an easy task if you know the right methodology. This article provides an easy recipe for making this puree at home.

A pile of golden, crisp rutabaga fries on a wooden board, garnished with fresh thyme and pepper

Rutabaga Fries

A healthier alternative to French fries is to have rutabaga fries. In this article we are going to discuss how to make these fries at home.

A halved onion scored with vertical and horizontal cuts on a wooden cutting board, knife beside it

How to Chop an Onion

Chopping onions is one of those kitchen tasks that is detested by many. Here are some tips to make this task easier and less tearful.

A pint Mason jar of homemade crushed tomatoes surrounded by fresh Roma tomatoes and herbs

Learn How to Make Your Own Flavor-packed Crushed Tomatoes

Making your own canned tomatoes is an activity worth giving a shot. It requires a little patience, where the results definitely pay off. It’s not just healthy, but packs a flavor punch like no other commercially-packed sauce.

A raw kohlrabi bulb beside a plate of golden roasted kohlrabi wedges on a wooden counter

How to Cook Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi can be steamed, boiled, or roasted. Here are some tips for cooking this vegetable, that can also be consumed in raw form.

Bowl of maitake mushroom soup with dried maitake mushrooms and asparagus on a wooden table

Maitake Mushroom Recipes So Easy You’ll Want to Start Cooking Now

Maitake mushrooms are a Japanese variety, also known in parts of Europe as Hen-of-the Woods, Sheep’s Head or Ram’s Head. Not only are they delicious additions to any meal, they offer a host of health benefits, and they’re also believed to have medicinal healing properties. Take a look at some interesting recipes to spice up your meals.

Halved dragon fruit beside a yogurt parfait layered with its pink flesh, muesli, and honey

Dragon Fruit Recipes

Recipes with the exotic dragon fruit are easy to make, and a sure delight to the palate. This article provides you with a few options to try out at home.

A halved butternut squash with scored, buttered flesh set on a plate inside a microwave

How to Cook Butternut Squash in Microwave

One of the easiest and simplest methods to cook a butternut squash is to use a microwave. However, you must know how to cook it with proper temperature and ingredients, in order to savor it to the optimum.

A bowl of glossy stewed prunes in syrup with a cinnamon stick and spoon on a wooden table

Stewed Prunes

Stewed prunes are an excellent source of vitamin, minerals and fiber. It is also very beneficial in treating constipation problems. There are many ways to prepare stewed prunes. Read on to know more.

A crisp golden baked potato split open with butter and sour cream, resting on an oven rack beside a thermometer

Note Down the Oven Temperature for Perfectly Baked Potatoes

The taste of extra crisp baked potatoes served with sour cream is something incomparable to other dishes. However, making this scrumptious dish requires perfectly sized spuds and an oven. Rather, you should have a clear idea about the best baking temperature and directions. This is because, in this process, the heat source used in this process plays a crucial role in getting perfect results.

Stuffed cabbage rolls filled with beef and rice, served in tomato sauce with parsley

Easy and Quick Recipes to Make Tasty Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

The idea of eating cabbage is not really appealing for some people, however, there are ways to ensure that one does not miss out on the nutrition this vegetable provides. One such way is preparing delicious cabbage rolls. Take a look at this simple recipe for the same.

A whole spiky horned melon next to a halved one revealing its bright green jellied flesh and seeds

What is a Horned Melon and How to Eat it Easily

Though the horned melon is a weird-looking fruit, it has a tantalizing taste. The flesh of the horned melon tastes like cucumber or zucchini. Its flavor is often described as a combination of lime, banana, kiwi, and cucumber. The horned melon is mainly used in salads or as fruit snacks.

Sliced leeks cooking in butter in a skillet, stirred with a wooden spoon on the stove

How to Cook Leeks

Though they look like green onions, leeks have a distinct flavor and are mainly used in soups and broths. This article provides some tips for cooking this vegetable in different ways.