Featured Ingredient
Cocoa
Cocoa makes our dishes deep, dark, and delicious. We are cuckoo for great quality cocoa, are you?
What it is: Cocoa powder is made from processed cocoa beans.
Why we love it: Good quality cocoa is an important part of our baking. It may have beneficial health effects too, that is, as long as we are not consuming too much sugar along with it.
When and where to buy it: Cocoa powder is commonly available in grocery stores. Consider purchasing fair trade cocoa where available.
Cooking tips: Do not confuse natural unsweetened cocoa powder with “Dutch-processed” cocoa powder! Dutch-processed has been treated with alkali in order to neutralize its acids and must be used in baking recipes that call for baking powder. It also has a more subtle flavour. Unsweetened cocoa powder has a deeper colour and a more intense flavour, which makes it best-suited for chocolate cakes and brownies.
Recipes to try:
Are you cooking with cocoa? Login and share your favourite recipes with our members today!