A mix of baking powder, baking soda and buttermilk makes this bread rise. Bonus: It doesn't require any time-consuming kneading.
The aroma of baking banana bread is enough to drive just about anyone wild with anticipation. Our best version— made using the surprising (and mysteriously effective) technique of "marinating" the bananas in a buttermilk and baking soda blend—delivers on all counts. It's moist, buttery, sweet and chockfull of banana flavour.
No party would be complete without devilled eggs. Garnishing them with fresh chives or parsley gives guests an indication of the seasonings in the filling. To make egg peeling easier, add 1 tsp baking soda to the boiling water.
It takes just five simple ingredients to create this crunchy confection from our Holiday Celebrations 2009 special issue. To ensure an airy toffee, do not overstir the caramel when adding the baking soda. Dip the pieces in white chocolate for a festive touch.
This popcorn has everything you could ask of a holiday treat: It's salty and sweet, crunchy and chewy. You can substitute any nut for the peanuts and cashews. Once you add the vanilla and baking soda, the caramel thickens quickly, so use the biggest bowl you have and two wooden spoons or spatulas to make quick work of it.?
While this twist on a classic already has a little kick from the chili garlic sauce, spice lovers might want extra heat in the form of a thin slice of Thai bird's-eye pepper on top. Older eggs tend to be easier to peel, but you can help the process by adding 1 tsp baking soda to the boiling water.
A loaf of bread takes too long to make — and isn't it fattening, too? So why bother? Irish soda bread says phooey to both these ideas. With baking soda instead of yeast, you can bake a loaf in less than an hour. With buttermilk and whole wheat flour, this dense, moist bread fits very nicely into a healthy diet. Here's a master recipe with two variations — one with honey and fruit and one with cheese and onion.
For anyone with a sweet tooth on your list, there's nothing sweeter (perhaps literally) than the gift of homemade peanut brittle. It hardens very quickly, so be ready to stir in the peanuts and baking soda immediately. Be sure to spread the candy out as evenly as possible on the baking sheet before the sugar is too hard to handle. The red skins on the peanuts add a nice hit of colour, but feel free to use any unsalted peanuts you can find.
This classic recipe for dense candy- shop fudge will be an instant family favourite. It's essential to have an accurate candy thermometer, because if it's only a few degrees off, you may have difficulty getting the right texture.
