Food Blog

Forming a Recipe Experiment


Recipe Experiment: A recipe experiment is a way to isolate the variables in a recipe being modified for whatever reason. After all the variables are tested, a new recipe is created using the new data, and tested again if needed.

How to perform a Recipe Experiment:
Decide your objective (what you are trying to fix or change about a recipe).
Create a hypothesis about each of the variables.
Prepare all your food items needed to experiment with ahead of time (called Mise en Place)
Prepare your recipes, each labeled with the different variable used.
Test each product and evaluate.
Create a new improved recipe using the data gathered.
Retest this recipe if needed.

Example:

Original Recipe:
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Cake Batter Ice Cream
Yield: 6 servings
Amount per Serving: Calories: 378 /Fat: 31.6g

Ingredients
1 cup milk
1/2 cup white sugar
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup white cake mix, sifted

Directions
1. Whisk together milk, sugar, egg yolks, vanilla, cream, and cake mix in a saucepan until well blended. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture reaches 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), stirring frequently. Remove from heat and place in the refrigerator or freezer until liquid is cold.
2. Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions until it reaches "soft-serve" consistency. Transfer ice cream to a one- or two-quart lidded plastic container; cover surface with plastic wrap and seal. For best results, ice cream should ripen in the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight.
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Objective: To create a lower calorie and lower fat version of this recipe, but still maintaining the same flavor.

New Base Recipe:
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Cake Batter Ice Cream
Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup Egg Beaters
¼ cup granulated Splenda
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup variable substitution for heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup fat free white cake mix, sifted

Directions:
1. Whisk together the milk and egg beaters in a saucepan until well blended.
2. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture reaches 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), stirring frequently.
3. from heat and place in the refrigerator or freezer until liquid is cold.
4. with the remaining ingredients and stir until smooth.
5. Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturer's directions until it reaches "soft-serve" consistency.
6. Transfer ice cream to a one- or two-quart lidded plastic container; cover surface with plastic wrap and seal. For best results, ice cream should ripen in the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Variables for the heavy whipping cream with Hypothesis:
Fat Free 1/2 & 1/2- mixture will be thinner and sweeter
Cool Whip Free- mixture will be sweeter
Fat Free Reddi-wip- mixture will be thinner and sweeter
Fat-Free Sugar-Free Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix, prepared with skim milk- mixture will have a stronger vanilla flavor
Fat Free plain Greek Yogurt- mixture will be sour and thicker
Dannon Light & Fit Vanilla flavored yogurt- mixture will be sweeter and have a stronger vanilla flavor
Melted Fat-Free Sugar-Free vanilla ice cream- mixture will be sweeter and have a stronger vanilla flavor
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1. Make the base recipe 7 times (or as many times as there are variables to be tested).
2. the variable into each one and label each with the different variable used.
3. recipe is complete, test and evaluate each different variable.
4. Create a new recipe using information gathered (example: 1/2 cup Cool Whip Free + 1/2 cup Instant vanilla pudding= best heavy whipping cream substitute).
5. new recipe if desired.

Record Results:
Variable: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Variable: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Create Your New Recipe)
New Recipe Name:

Name:
Yield:
Nutrition Information:

Ingredients:







Directions:

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Overview of Baking

Definition:
Baking is the method of cooking of food in an oven. The baking process does not add any fat to the product, and producers of snack products such as potato chips are also beginning to replace the process of deep-frying with baking in order to reduce the fat content of their products. The dry heat of baking changes the form of starches in the food and causes its outer surfaces to brown, giving it an attractive appearance and taste, while partially sealing in the food's moisture. The browning is caused by caramelization of sugars. Moisture is never really entirely sealed in, but over time, an item being baked will become dry. This is often an advantage, especially in situations where drying is the desired outcome, for example in drying herbs or in roasting certain types of vegetables.

How to Bake:
Prepare all your food items needed to bake ahead of time (called Mise en Place).
Preheat your oven to the desired temperature.
Cover your baking tray with parchment paper, and then spray with nonstick cooking spray lightly.
Add all the food items and form one layer so that steam can escape (the low sides of a saute pan allow for quick evaporation and escape of steam).
Place the tray in the oven and let cook for the desired amount of time.
Once the food is cooked thoroughly and browned, remove from the oven and serve.


Ideas of what to Bake:
bread, cakes, pastries, pies, tarts, quiches, cookies, baked potatoes, baked apples, baked beans, casseroles, some pasta dishes such as lasagna, pretzels

Meat may also be baked, but is usually reserved for meat loaf, smaller cuts of whole meats, and whole meats that contain stuffing or coating such as breadcrumbs or buttermilk batter

Equipment needed to Bake:
Nonstick baking trays
Nonstick cooking spray
Parchment paper
Oven

Healthy Ingredient Substitutions in Baking

Tips:
1. Learn the cooking properties of your ingredients.
2. Ingredients that serve several purposes in a dish can be difficult to replace
3. Test out your recipe and make adjustments—don't give up the first time.

White granulated sugar- Splenda with Fiber packets, granulated Splenda, Stevia, Truvia, Purvia
Brown sugar- granulated Splenda + Molasses
Corn Syrup- sugar-free syrup
Maple Syrup- sugar-free maple syrup, pureed fruit
All purpose flour- white whole wheat flour (pastry if possible), whole wheat flour
Butter/oil in light colored foods- unsweetened applesauce, pureed bananas
Butter/oil in dark colored foods- unsweetened applesauce, pureed bananas, prune puree, pureed low sodium black beans
Butter/oil to prevent sticking- nonstick cooking spray, parchment paper, nonstick pans
Whole eggs- egg whites, Egg Beaters, yellow food coloring, extra baking soda, gelatin, pureed silken tofu
Evaporated milk- evaporated skim milk
Canned fruit in heavy syrup- canned fruit in water, in juice, in sugar-free syrup
Yogurt- Fiber One yogurt, nonfat plain Greek yogurt, Dannon Light ‘n Fit, plain nonfat
Cream cheese- fat-free cream cheese, pureed nonfat cottage cheese
Sour cream- fat-free sour cream, plain nonfat yogurt, nonfat plain Greek yogurt
Pastry crust- phyllo dough, Wonton or Egg Roll Wrappers, Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits
Graham cracker crumbs- low fat graham crackers made into a crust, ground Fiber One bran cereal made into a crust
Whip Cream- Fat-free Reddi-wip, Cool Whip Free, nonfat plain Greek yogurt with calorie-free sweetener and vanilla extract
Chocolate- Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Powder
Chocolate syrup- sugar-free fat-free chocolate syrup
Buttermilk- low fat buttermilk, skim milk with lemon juice
Half & Half/Cream- fat-free half and half, nonfat evaporated milk
Ricotta- fat-free ricotta
Milk- skim milk, Calorie Countdown milk, nonfat soymilk, Simply Smart skim milk that tastes like 2%
Sweetened condensed milk- nonfat sweetened condensed milk
Oil and Eggs in Baking Mixes- substitute ½ cup plain nonfat yogurt for 2 eggs and ½ cup oil
Custard- Sugar-free Fat-free Instant Pudding mix with skim milk
Ice Cream- Breyer’s Free, other nonfat no sugar ice cream
Jam/ Jelly- Sugar-free Jam/Jelly
Coconut milk- fat-free half & half + coconut extract

*The key to being able to substitute unhealthy ingredients in baked goods with healthier ones replies on your knowledge of the properties of ingredients in baking.


Flour: Provides structure to the baked product because it contains gluten. Gluten gets tough when mixed with a liquid, but fat and sugar help tenderize the gluten.

Sugar: Provides sweetness to baked product, and allows for browning because the products brown as the sugar caramelizes under heat. Also provides leavening as the sugar creates air pockets in the baked good as it melts. Sugar provides moisture because the sugar traps the liquid in a product and melts. Brown Sugar is a mixture of molasses and white sugar. Works the same as sugar but it also provided a deeper flavor, and robust sweetness.

Eggs: The egg is made up of two main parts, the yolk and the white. The egg white is fat free and allows the product to rise, and provides structure, especially if whipped, because it is a protein and binds to ingredients. The egg yolk is made of fat and tenderizes the product, as well as adding a yellow color, a rich taste, and thickens or binds a product slightly.

Butter: Tenderizes the gluten, and allows the product to brown more quickly. Provides a luxurious mouth feel and rich flavor. Also moisturizes and leavens the product.

Baking Powder/Baking Soda: Leavens or rises a baked product when an acid is added to it (buttermilk, lemon juice, vinegar, etc)

Buttermilk: contains acid (milk curdles when an acid is added to it) so it reacts with the baking powder or baking soda to allow it to leaven or rise the baked product

Salt: enhances flavor

Extracts (vanilla, almond, etc): enhances flavor

Spices (cinnamon, ginger, etc): enhances flavor

Thin Crust Pizza
Yield: 1 pizza (8 slices)
Approximate Nutritional Information: 100 calories/ 2 grams of fat for entire pizza

1 High Fiber Low Carb whole grain tortilla
2 tbsp fat free tomato sauce
3 tbsp fat free mozzarella cheese
Dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste
Nonstick cooking spray
Toppings, if desired (see toppings ideas)

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Place the tortilla on the tray and spread evenly with tomato sauce.
4. with mozzarella cheese.
5. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper, to taste.
6. Spray the top with nonstick cooking spray lightly.
7. Add any toppings of your choice.
8. 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
9. Slice into eight slices and serve hot.


Topping Ideas:
Chopped onion
Caramelized onion
Minced garlic
Roasted garlic
Basil
Chopped spring onions
Crispy extra lean turkey bacon
Pineapple chunks
Fat free feta cheese
Fat free cheddar cheese
Reduced fat Parmesan cheese
Fresh tomatoes
Sun dried tomatoes
Mushrooms
Gimme Lean sausage, cooked and crumbled
Extra lean buffalo or ground beef, cooked and crumbled
Italian seasoning
Green bell peppers
Red bell peppers
Artichoke hearts
Black beans
Corn
Spinach
Cilantro
Jalapenos
Shrimp
Fat free cottage cheese
Garlic salt
Cooked and shredded chicken breast
Low calorie barbecue sauce
Turkey pepperoni
Oregano
Lean deli ham, chopped
Broccoli, lightly steamed
Scrambled Egg Beaters
Fresh sprouts
Fat free sour cream
Sliced apples
Sliced pears
Balsamic vinegar glaze
Red onions
Lean deli style sliced roast beef
Fat free American cheese
Buffalo sauce
Cooked Penne or Ziti noodles


Combination Ideas:
Cheese Pizza: mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, oregano, tomato sauce
Pepperoni Pizza: turkey pepperoni, oregano, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce
Greek Pizza: onion, garlic, spinach, fresh tomatoes, feta, sun dried tomatoes, tomato sauce
Cheeseburger Pizza: ground beef crumbles, cheddar cheese, turkey bacon, tomato sauce
Caprese Pizza: basil, mozzarella cheese, fresh tomato, tomato sauce
Margarita Pizza: basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, fresh tomato, tomato sauce
Hawaiian Pizza: turkey bacon, ham, red bell peppers, pineapple, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce
Italian Sausage Pizza: Gimme Lean sausage crumbles, Italian seasoning, green bell peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce
Mexican Pizza: black beans, chopped onions, fresh tomatoes, corn, cilantro, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, tomato sauce
White Pizza: cottage cheese, garlic salt, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, pepper
BBQ Chicken Pizza: cooked and shredded chicken breast, barbecue sauce, chopped onion, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce
Veggie Loaded Pizza: onion, garlic, mushroom, bell peppers, tomato, broccoli, Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce
Breakfast Pizza: fresh tomatoes, turkey bacon, scrambled egg beaters, Gimme Lean sausage crumbles, cheddar cheese
Tex-Mex Pizza: fresh tomatoes, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, black beans, corn, onions, garlic, cilantro, sour cream, tomato sauce
Californian Pizza: broccoli, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, red bell peppers, green bell peppers, sprouts, turkey bacon, sour cream
Rustic Pizza: sliced pears, balsamic glaze, sliced red onions, turkey bacon, fat free feta, fat free mozzarella
Philly Cheese Steak Pizza: roast beef, caramelized onion, green bell peppers, mushrooms, American cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, tomato sauce
Buffalo Chicken Pizza: chicken, buffalo sauce, fresh onions, fat free American cheese, tomato sauce
Meat Lovers Pizza: turkey pepperoni, turkey bacon, Gimme Lean sausage crumbles, lean ground beef crumbles, chicken breast, mozzarella, Italian seasoning, tomato sauce
Ziti Pizza: ziti noodles, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, tomato sauce
Quatro Formaggio Pizza: mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, American cheese, Italian seasoning, tomato sauce
Chicken Parmesan Pizza: chicken breast, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, tomato sauce