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Is It Safe To Bake With Silicone?

Vincent Stevens — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 09:12:00 +0000

Baking is a relaxing experience for many people. There is an enjoyment to the precision required to make a perfectly fluffy cake, chewy gooey cookies, or airy loaf of bread. Everything is wonderful until it comes time to clean the pan or tray in which you baked your goods. The cleanup process usually involves a lot of soaking and scrubbing. We can say for a fact that nobody likes that part.

What do you do to minimize the dishes you have to do? If you are like most, you either use aluminum foil (not the healthiest choice) or silicone trays or mats. You can use silicone bakeware to easily remove gummy items, lotion bars, household staples, or cupcakes and muffins. The use of silicone molds may spark this question: Is it safe? Well, that truly depends, but we aim to answer it in this article.

What Is Silicone?

Before we get into cooking with silicone, it’s integral to understand the difference between silicon, silica, and silicone. Although these substances are related, they are not the same. Here’s a quick overview:

Silicon: This is a natural element, meaning it cannot break down into smaller particles without splitting atoms. After oxygen, silicon is the second most abundant particle on the earth. It is used in many industries, including solar energy, construction, and electronics. Silicon Valley, anyone?
Silica: This compound is made of silicon and oxygen. Silica is a primary component of the Earth’s crust and is naturally occurring in nature. It shows up in ceramics, abrasives, and glass manufacturing. You can also find silica in the human body, with some research indicating potential health benefits.
Silicone: You can create silicone, a synthetic polymer, by adding carbon or oxygen to silicon. It exists as a liquid, gel, or solid and is commonly used in the medical field. It exists in medical devices, including pacemakers, joint replacements, and implants. It is considered safe for these uses, and is very common in cooking utensils and bakeware.

Is Cooking With Silicone Safe?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), food-grade silicone is safe and approved for use in a variety of kitchen products. Food-grade silicone has been tested and certified by the FDA to be safe for contact with food. Food-grade silicone is a popular material for kitchenware. It is made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which is a synthetic polymer. It has a superior ability to withstand heat, it is non-stick, and it is dishwasher- and microwave-safe. Popular silicone bakeware items include cupcake liners, food storage containers, ice cube trays, baking molds, and reusable straws.

Benefits Of Silicone Bakeware

Silicone bakeware items are sturdy, convenient, and last a lot longer when made with silicone rubber. These molds can go straight from the oven to the freezer, or vice versa, without affecting their integrity. They have a higher resistance to high heat and are safe for human health, even after extensive use. Continue reading for more benefits.

Easy-to-Clean

Silicone bake mats, molds, and other products are usually easy to clean. They are highly flexible, which makes it easy to get things in and out of them, allowing for easier cleanup. Silicone bakeware tends to be dishwasher-safe, but you can easily wash the items by hand. It has a smooth surface and tends to resist stains, so it won’t retain odors.

Non-Stick

Silicone bakeware is usually more non-stick than traditional bakeware. That is highly convenient for muffin cups and cake pans. The natural non-stick properties mean that you don’t need to oil or grease before use, although a little oil never hurts. By not using excess grease or oil, you can reduce the amount of added fats in baking.

Reusable

It is very easy to use parchment paper or aluminum foil when baking, especially if you are trying to save yourself excess cleaning. Silicone is very durable and can withstand repeated use. It is also resistant to fading, cracking, and peeling. People tend to choose silicone for these reasons, as it is a more eco-friendly alternative to foil, cupcake liners, and more.

The post Is It Safe To Bake With Silicone? appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Raw Vegan Carrot-Orange-Lemon Cake

Vincent Stevens — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:47:00 +0000

One thing is for certain: you feel a lot better after enjoying a raw vegan dessert than after you eat a pint of ice cream or packaged pastry. Think of this dessert as raw vegan comfort food, only this recipe puts a zesty spin on a timeless classic. Carrot cake, depending on who you ask, ranks high in the dessert world, but all of the calories, unhealthy fats, sugar, and dairy products that go into it are not kind to the gut. Fortunately, this healthier, raw rendition provides all the flavor without the unwanted bloating that comes with eating regular cake.

Have you noticed that a lot of carrot cake recipes contain pineapple chunks? That is a personal preference, but it an add an interesting, somewhat weird, flavor to the cake. When you cut into a carrot cake and see real bits of carrot, though, you know you are in for a treat. Grated carrots add a surprising sweetness to carrot cake, and the fresh lemon and orange are very complementary. Your palate craves freshness and acid, which both the lemon and orange offer. But make no mistake: this is not a citrus-forward dessert like a lemon bar. This is carrot cake that has notes of refreshing citrus!

You can choose to make this raw vegan carrot cake in a round cake or pie pan, or you can make tiny cupcakes. Whichever method you choose is completely fine, but if the smaller individual pieces help you control your portions, go that route.

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9 Citrus Recipes That Will Help Support Immunity

Vincent Stevens — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 09:12:00 +0000

Can you imagine a world without orange juice and lemonade? Sure, the appeal goes beyond these citrus beverages, but that is usually where your love for citrus fruits begins. After these drinks ignite your passion for citrus, you begin to experiment with other flavors and citrus fruits in various recipes. Because citrus straddles the sweet and tart line, you can use citrus fruits in both sweet and savory applications.

As a food category, citrus is very diverse and includes varieties of oranges, limes, lemons, tangerines, grapefruit, pomelo, and yuzu, among others. Citrus fruits account for 14% of fresh fruit consumption by Americans, according to the Farm Bureau. Oranges rank just below apples, bananas, and melons as the most commonly consumed fruits in the United States. In fact, most people would find it difficult to live without citrus!

Historically, British sailors who attempted voyages without citrus usually developed scurvy, due to lack of vitamin C. Although not the only vitamin C-rich foods, citrus fruits are some of the most popular to enjoy, with one orange containing more than 50 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C. This nutrient functions as an antioxidant and aids immune function, which is vital during cold and flu season. Keep your vitamin C intake up with the following citrus=themed recipes!

DIY Citrus Electrolyte Drink

Perfect for your pre-workout energizing! This DIY citrus electrolyte drink is full of flavor and helps to keep you hydrated and refreshed.