👉 IMPORTANT: How to Avoid a Soggy BLT Sandwich

RECIPES    COOKING    DRINKING

There's no finer way to destroy a delicious BLT than by making it soggy. Am I right?

That's why strategic tomato placement in between lettuce leaves and bacon strips is so important. But there are more remedies to the blight of sogginess that you might want to try.

You could drain the tomato slices on paper towels to absorb excess moisture. You could even try salting them for flavor and extra moisture removal. Another option is to use a hearty toasted bread, and wrapping the sandwich in moisture-absorbing parchment paper. But wait. There's more...

Ina Garten, known for keeping things simple, has a standard whiskey sour test to determine if a bar measures up to her high expectations. In her scheme, a classic whiskey sour's simplicity—just whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup—puts a bar's attention to ratio and quality of ingredients, under the spotlight.

According to Garten, a solid whiskey sour should be delightfully tangy and frothy without a sickly sweetness or harsh astringency. This cocktail also serves as a litmus test for other classic cocktails, letting her know if the bar is worth another visit.

Milena Manolova's vegetarian black bean taquitos, baked until crisp and crunchy, have fans far beyond the plant-based community, and we're not surprised!

Chicken breast is an underwhelming choice for smoking, according to experts Adam Truhler and Matt Mulligan of The Grilling Dad. The leaner breast can dry out easily and lacks the depth of flavor found in darker meat cuts such as drummies, wings, and thighs.

A helpful rule of thumb for smoking is to aim for cuts with higher fat content to ensure moisture and flavor. Additionally, consider your wood choice for smoking—apple, cherry, maple, or pecan wood are recommended for their delicacy and sweetness. And always avoid overly strong flavors to ensure the meat doesn't get overwhelmed.

Expired baking powder could be why your cakes or biscuits are falling flat. Checking its potency is simple - just add warm water to a small amount of baking powder and observe any fizzing. No reaction means it's time to replace your baking powder.

Remember, unopened baking powder has a shelf life of six months, cut in half once unsealed. It should always be stored in a cool, dry place.

Bobby Flay's diamond cut trick is revolutionizing the way folks dice avocados all while avoiding the dreaded smush and slippage. Keeping the peel on while crisscrossing slits ensures diced cubes without the hassle of peeling.

The trick works even for other soft fruits (like mango), slashing time spent peeling and slicing.