Skip to Content

Healthy Kitchen Hacks #55 – Holiday Hacks

Healthy Kitchen Hacks #55 – Holiday Hacks

*ALWAYS IN SEASON FRUIT SALAD * DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DUTCH-PROCESS AND NATURAL COCOA POWDER * THE EASIEST WAY TO MAKE LEMON CURD*

Frozen Fruit Salad * Difference between Dutch-Processed and Natural Cocoa Powder * Easiest Way to Make Lemon Curd #HealthyKitchenHacks | @TspCurry >>For more Healthy Kitchen Hacks: TeaspoonOfSpice.com

Well, the holiday season is upon us. This edition of Holiday Healthy Kitchen Hacks will likely provide some fun kitchen shortcuts for you…

And if you need a few more to get through the next couple weeks, check out our:

Happy holidays!

1. Always In-Season Fruit Salad
Brynn @Domestic Dietitian

Always in season fruit: FROZEN FRUIT SALAD #Healthy Kitchen Hacks | @TspCurry - For more #HealthyKitchenHacks >> TeaspoonOfSpice.com

While oranges, mandarines, pomegranate and mangos are in season right now, some other fruits at the supermarket tend to look or taste sad in winter. Enter the fruit salad that’s always in season: The Frozen Fruit Salad.

When I stare at my empty fruit bowl, I sometimes forget that my freezer is always stocked with frozen raspberries, frozen mango, and several other frozen fruits. But after seeing this fun 45-second video from Brynn, I’m taping a note “Frozen Fruit Salad” to the bottom of my fruit bowl – so that when the fruit is gone, I’ll remember to make this salad.

2. The Difference Between Alkalized Cocoa Powder and Natural Cocoa
Joy @Joy the Baker

The Difference Between Dutch-Processed and Natural Cocoa Powder #Healthy Kitchen Hacks | @TspCurry - For more #HealthyKitchenHacks >> TeaspoonOfSpice.com

As I was making up a couple batches of 3-Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix and noticed that the labels on my cans of cocoa powder contained three different terms: Alkalized cocoa powder, dutch-processed cocoa powder, natural cocoa powder. Honestly, I’ve never known the difference. So here’s the scoop from Joy on these terms:

  • Alkalized Cocoa Powder – It’s actually the same thing as Dutch-processed cocoa powder. The natural acid found in cocoa has been neutralized through the alkalizing/Dutch-processing, but rich dark taste remains along with some of the fat. It’s darker in color. Baked goods recipes using this cocoa must contain acid for the final treat to leaven/rise; so alkalized cocoa is paired with baking powder.
  • Natural Cocoa Powder – It still contains the natural acid found in cocoa. This cocoa is lighter in color. In recipes, it’s generally paired with baking soda. BTW, the package label may not say ‘natural cocoa;’ instead, you’ll see “unsweetened cocoa powder.” It’s the regular Hershey’s cocoa powder in supermarkets.

If you’re making Homemade Chocolate Peppermint Pudding or that DIY Hot Cocoa Mix, you can use either Dutch-processed or natural cocoa, depending on your taste for dark or lighter chocolate flavor. This is because there is no flour, leavening or baking involved. But if you’re baking, follow the recipe. If it’s an old-school family recipe, use natural, non-alkalized cocoa, because alkalized powder wasn’t available back in the day.

3. The Easiest Way to Make Lemon Curd
Maria @Maria Dernikos

No-fail: MICROWAVE LEMON CURD #Healthy Kitchen Hacks | @TspCurry - For more #HealthyKitchenHacks >> TeaspoonOfSpice.com

I made homemade lemon curd once. It was amazing. But it was a pain in the neck: Lots of standing and stirring….and never quite knowing when it was ‘just right’. I thought: Never again.

Until I found Maria’s recipe for Lemon Curd in the Microwave. No standing and stirring. And in the microwave, there’s practically zero chance of overcooking. It was sooooo good, I’m not so sure I’ll be able to give it away as teacher gifts, as I’d planned!

There are other Microwave Lemon Curd recipes out there, I’ve discovered. But I like Maria’s technique. However, I did change her ingredient amounts. Here’s what I used:

  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • A little less than 1 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup lemon juice
  • 2 eggs

Note: See the photo of the large measuring bowl above – and how the curd climbed way up the sides of the bowl? Use this type of large bowl to avoid boiled-over curd in the microwave.

Would you try any of these hacks? Do you have any healthy kitchen or healthy living shortcuts to share? Shoot us an email (or share in comments below and we’ll try them out.)

Tara | Treble in the Kitchen

Wednesday 14th of December 2016

As always, I love these hacks. Thanks for spelling out the difference in cocoa powders including what leavening agent to pair with. I had no idea!

Comments are closed.