Is butter better than marg? Plus 8 Other Food-related Questions

Preparing food comes with all sorts of questions. Things like: ‘do those eggs smell bad to you?’, ‘How do I know if my cake is cooked through?’, and ‘Have I prepared enough potatoes to feed everyone?’.

Here on the My Appliances blog, we’re answering some more of those age-old cooking-related queries. In fact, we have the answers to 10 questions, so you don’t need to rely on Google. Or guesswork. Read on…

Is butter better for you than margarine?

Ever wondered if you should put butter on your toast and forgo the margarine? Healthline lays out some facts about both spreads, saying that while butter is high in cholesterol, margarine may contain trans-fat, which, says the site, has been linked to chronic disease. Find out more by clicking the link above and you’ll find it easier to decide which to have with your breakfast.

Why choose olive oil over sunflower oil?

Again, the jury seems to be out on this one. According to Quora, refined sunflower oil has a higher smoke point than olive oil, making it better when frying food at high temperatures.

Sunflower oil is lower in saturated fat and polyunsaturated fat, too. That said, it’s higher in monosaturated fat, though the site says the difference isn’t too significant.

Should I take notice of use by dates on food?

Not sure whether to take heed of those use by dates? The Food Standards Agency says they’re there for a reason: for your safety. Head to the link above for some advice on what to do if you suspect certain foods have gone out of date.

How can I stop crying when I’m chopping onions?

This is the bane of any keen home cook’s life, so how do you stop it happening? The Cooking with Jack Show on YouTube has the perfect tip – head to the link above to see it.

How do I clean my oven?

Baking soda and vinegar is all you need to clean your oven – and naturally, too! Head to YouTube yet again to watch an insightful video. Get ready to make cleaning your most-used appliance an absolute breeze.

What’s the best way to clean my microwave, too?

The Good Housekeeping website is choc-full of tips everyone can use in the home – and its microwave cleaning hack is no exception. Head straight to the site to find out how you can tackle grease and grime with minimal fuss.

What’s a quick and easy meal everyone will like?

You really can’t go wrong with something you can shove in your slow cooker and leave until everyone’s ready to sit down at the table. But if you need some inspiration, you’ll find plenty of quick and easy recipes over here.

Can I make my own disinfectant?

Don’t want to use too many chemicals in the kitchen? We hear you. Clean Mama has a tutorial for making your own disinfectant. Go on, give it a go.

How many calories am I saving with skimmed milk over semi-skimmed?

This is where we turn to Delicious Magazine, which has the answer over here. ‘Opt for skimmed or semi-skimmed milk and you’ll get plenty of nutrients for your calories. A 250ml glass of skimmed milk contains just 83 calories; 115 calories if it’s semi-skimmed’.

Did these answers prove useful to you? Let us know over on our Facebook page. Or leave your own hints and tips below.

Until next time…