Latest news with #TheKitchn
New York Post
7 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
This veggie of many names can boost immunity, fight cancer and promote weight loss
It's crisp, green and criminally underrated. While trendy superfoods like kale and avocado often steal the spotlight, there's a low-calorie veggie you've probably been overlooking that delivers as much flavor as it does health benefits. Just don't forget the breath mints when you hit the grocery store to stock up. Advertisement 4 This vegetable is best in the spring and summer months when it has been freshly harvested. Brent Hofacker – What are spring onions? Think of them as scallions' older, slightly bolder cousins. While they're often used — and mistaken — for one another, the key difference is the small bulb at the base of a spring onion, according to The Kitchn. They are sweeter and milder than regular onions, yet their green stalks deliver more intense flavor than scallions. Spring onions are widely used across the globe as garnishes, flavor enhancers and even as a central ingredient in numerous dishes, particularly in East Asian cuisines. Advertisement And while they can make you cry, they won't be as brutal as regular onions. That's because spring onions contain lower levels of the enzymes and sulfur compounds that trigger those eye-burning tears when chopped. What are the health benefits of spring onions? Spring onions belong to the allium family — the same pungent plant group that includes garlic, leeks, shallots and chives. 4 Spring onions are immature onions harvested before they fully develop a bulb. Julia Sedaeva – 'Allium vegetables contain antioxidants that have been shown to help immune health and prevent inflammation and various diseases like cancer and heart disease,' Jessica Levinson, a registered dietician and culinary nutrition expert, told Prevention. Advertisement Researchers aren't entirely sure how it works, but one compound seems to stand out: allicin, the same substance that gives alliums their pungent flavor. Studies suggest it may help prevent cells from turning cancerous or slow the spread of tumors. Other antioxidants found in spring onions, including flavonoids and polyphenols, work to neutralize free radicals. These unstable molecules can damage cells, speed up aging and raise the risk of chronic diseases, according to WebMD. Their high fiber content doesn't hurt either. One cup of chopped scallions contains roughly 10% of your daily recommended intake. Advertisement That can help lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood sugar, improve digestion and even support weight management by keeping you fuller longer. 4 Spring onions can aid in weight management thanks to their high fiber content. mojo_cp – But fiber isn't the only thing spring onions have in spades. They're also loaded with vitamin K, which plays a crucial role in bone health and may help ward off osteoporosis. You'll also find plenty of vitamin A and plant compounds like carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, all known for supporting eye health and protecting against vision issues like age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Add in a healthy dose of vitamin C and quercetin — both powerful immune-boosters — and you've got yourself a tiny, plant powerhouse that may even help kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. For these reasons, it's easy to see why onions have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to fight colds, flus, stomach issues and other ailments. Of course, you'll only only reap the full benefits if you eat them regularly — and no, sprinkling a few on a baked potato doesn't count. Are there any risks to eating spring onions? Advertisement Besides the breath issue, there are a few things to keep in mind. 4 Onion breath can persist for hours or even overnight. – If you're among the 10–15% of Americans with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), onions — including spring onions — could aggravate your symptoms, according to Healthline. Advertisement They may also trigger heartburn in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and in rare cases, they can cause allergic reactions. Symptoms include rash, mouth tingling, facial swelling, stomach pain or vomiting. In severe cases, spring onion allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention, per WebMD. More commonly, people experience an intolerance to alliums, which can cause bloating, gas and stomach cramps — usually if consumed in large amounts. Advertisement One more thing: they may interfere with certain medications. Spring onions have a mild anticoagulant effect, which can prevent blood clots — a good thing unless you're on blood thinners like warfarin. In those cases, research suggests that eating too many could increase your risk of bleeding.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Cheese on toast tastes better if one £1.20 British sauce is drizzled over it
Cheese on toast fits many occasions - from a post-night out snack to a warm and hearty stop-gap in the middle of the day, but one sauce will make it taste even better Cheese on toast is a staple snack loved by Brits for generations - but one sauce can elevate your toast in a split second. You can't go wrong with a good cheese on toast. Whether it's a quick, delicious snack, you can elevate its flavour by adding this one key ingredient. Do you have Worcestershire sauce? According to The Kitchn, food experts have recommended adding Worcestershire sauce to a cheese on toast to enhance its flavour and give it that sweet yet punchy kick to compliment the cheese. By experimenting and combining with different flavours, you can often find the best and most secretive ingredients to spice up your meals. Originated in Worcester and now famously-known worldwide, Worcestershire sauce is made from vinegar-based, flavoured with anchovies, turmeric, garlic, molasses, onion, salt and other spices. When mixed together, it becomes this delicious sweet but tangy flavour that goes perfectly with foods like cheese. Tara Holland, who tasted the recipe, said: 'Cheese on toast has been an after-school staple snack for kids (and a post-pub miracle midnight munchie cure for adults) in the United Kingdom for decades, if not longer!' As to when to add the sauce, Tara explained: 'Some might say toss the grated cheese in Worcestershire sauce before laying on the bread rather than drizzling the sauce on top before broiling.' However, this depends on the person's preference and the amount of sauce they'd like to add. 'I always add before and after. Another thing to bear in mind is if you use sliced cheese, the Worcestershire sauce either pools or slides off the cheese, so it is better to add it after broiling the cheese," she added. Doing so creates this immaculate bite. By simply using three ingredients, you're bound to make the most delicious snack to be enjoyed at any time of the day. You just need a piece of bread, some cheese and Worcestershire sauce. The sauce is available to purchase in all UK supermarkets and local stores, with prices starting at £1.20. If you're feeling adventurous and want to pair it with other dishes, Worcestershire sauce also goes well with grilled cheese and mac and cheese. Its sweet and tangy flavour just elevates any dish by adding the extra touch of missing richness, creating a one-of-a-kind creation. You'll thank me later.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Experts reveal the worst thing you can do to your air fryer as warning is issued
Experts have warned this one mistake could lead to your entire air fryer breaking down. Using just a spritz of cooking spray can severely affect the interior of your device. This is because the sprays contain emulsifiers, which can build up over time and leave a goo-like texture inside the machine. The sticky texture is a result of the sprays breaking down the nonstick surface, which can ruin your air fryer. The Kitchn said: 'Cooking spray is oil contains lecithin (an emulsifier), dimethyl silicone (an anti-foaming agent), and a propellant. 'The droplets have a low smoke point and, over time, the lecithin will start to build up onto your basket or rack, resulting in a sticky spot. 'This sticky spot is hard to remove and can degrade the coating so that the nonstick surface no longer does its job.' They recommend using an oil with a high smoke point to prevent this from happening. Meanwhile, Isabella Forgione AO's small appliance expert has said it could be better to stop using oils altogether. But if you want to crisp up your meal, try spraying the oil on the food before putting it in the air fryer. She said: 'Because of the way air fryers work by circulating hot air around the appliance, this means that oil shouldn't be needed to cook your food. 'Try to spray your food before putting it into the air fryer. 'This will help to reduce the amount of spray touching your appliance and protect the non-stick coating from being damaged.'
Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Cucumbers last much longer without going mushy if stored in 'correct' way
Cucumbers are a versatile and refreshing vegetable, but their high water content means they can go mushy quite quickly - however, two simple kitchen items can help Cucumbers, a favourite in many British households particularly during the summer season, can quickly turn to mush due to their high water content if not stored properly. Luckily, with just a zip-lock plastic bag and some kitchen roll, you can keep them fresh for longer. The Kitchn suggests that by wrapping cucumbers in kitchen roll and then placing them into a sealed zip-lock bag before popping them in the fridge, you can greatly extend their shelf life. This technique controls moisture levels, stopping the cucumbers from getting slimy or soft, as the kitchen roll soaks up any extra dampness and the sealed bag keeps the humidity just right, reports the Express. According to The Kitchn's experts, this approach can maintain cucumbers in prime condition in the refrigerator for 16 to 19 days, whereas leaving them unwrapped in the fridge would only preserve their crunchiness for about 7 days. The research notes: "The towel-wrapping method was interesting. It helped to wick away the moisture that seemed to contribute to sliminess and squishy spots, and the sealed bag seemed to offer more protection than an unsealed bag." Moreover, the expert pointed out: "It's not fussy at all, and the smallest option on those select-a-size paper towels works perfectly for each cucumber. "Plus, you can re-use the zip-top bag numerous times, so it's less wasteful than the methods involving plastic wrap."
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Tourists issued warning over ordering ice cream in Italy
Tourists have been urged to take care when ordering ice cream in Italy this summer as they could be being duped. Italian gelato is world famous for its creamy texture with tourists often flocking to purchase iconic flavours such as pistachio and stracciatella. But they might not be getting the real thing. The Express reports that many tourists are actually buying a cheap copy of gelato with the cheeky scam particularly prevalent in Rome. Foodies at explain that classic gelato is 'churned at a much slower rate, incorporating less air and leaving the gelato denser than ice cream'. And there's also an easier way for tourists to spot inauthentic gelato. If the ice cream colours are particularly bright, it's generally a sign that you're not buying a real gelato. Classic gelato is usually pale in colour as makers don't use artificial food colouring during the process. Tourists can also check reviews on Google and Tripadvisor to find gelato cafes with particularly high ratings. One popular spot is Vivoli, a historic ice cream shop in Florence which is home to an iconic new treat. A €6 coffee dessert has become the latest Tuscan viral sensation, drawing crowds of tourists and creating hour-long lines outside the city's oldest gelateria. The creamy drink, called the Gran Crema Caffè Vivoli, is a twist on the classic Italian affogato - a shot of hot espresso served in a pre-chilled cappuccino cup with four strips of smooth vanilla gelato lining the edges.
