Latest news with #JoshuaResnick
New York Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Mom's secret chili ingredient goes viral and leaves TikTokers stunned
A mother's chili secret has gone viral in a TikTok video that has some loving the added ingredient while others are in disbelief. The video was posted by the Hnieno Fam, a family-oriented TikTok account centered on a London mother and a father of two. Advertisement Jade Hnieno, the mom of the family, shared the video last month, revealing the mysterious addition: a square of dark chocolate added directly to the pot. 'Secret ingredient to make the best chili,' she captioned the video. The video, which has been viewed over 6.4 million times, was met with both intrigue and disgust. 'Absolutely not,' one person wrote. Advertisement 'No,' another said bluntly. Others defended the little-known ingredient, sharing their own unusual tips for incorporating dark chocolate. 5 A mother's chili secret has viral on TikTok, sparking debate. – 5 Jade Hnieno shared the video last month, showing a square of dark chocolate that she added to the pot. Tiktok / @TheHnienoFam Advertisement 'Although chili and mole are different in terms of ingredients and cultural origin, both are usually added with dark chocolate to enhance their flavor experience.' 'I worked for a small-town chocolate brand for a while and THIS was our key ingredient for a chili cook-off,' one person said. 'It's so good.' 'Also works in a bolognese sauce,' a second person wrote. Advertisement 5 'I worked for a small-town chocolate brand for a while and THIS was our key ingredient for a chili cook-off,' one person wrote. Joshua Resnick – 'I'm Mexican and yes, it is very normal to use dark chocolate in chili,' another said. 'We literally use it to make mole.' A different TikToker revealed, 'I like to cook some cocoa powder with the tomato paste in the beginning and deglaze with a Coke.' The mother behind the account, Jade Hnieno, told Fox News Digital her family really enjoyed the chili. 'We had it with baked potato and sour cream, our favorite way to have chili,' she said. 5 'I'm Mexican and yes, it is very normal to use dark chocolate in chili,' another person commented. Phil Cardamone – 'I think the chocolate enhances the flavor by adding depth and richness to the dish, balancing out the acidity from the tomatoes and peppers.' Science appears to support her reasoning. Fox News Digital spoke with food scientist Bryan Quoc Le, Ph.D., about how chocolate can enrich the dish. Advertisement Le, who is based in California and works for Mendocino Food Consulting, said the fat compounds in dark chocolate help soften the spicy punch of capsaicin. 'Due to its higher cocoa solids, flavonols and fat content compared to other grades, unsweetened, high-percentage dark chocolates are recommended.' 'On the other hand, the bitterness of chocolates due to compounds like flavonols, phenolics and other non-polyphenols effectively balances the bright sourness of tomatoes due to citric and malic acids, making the umami taste more prominent,' he said. Advertisement 'Although chili and mole are different in terms of ingredients and cultural origin, both are usually added with dark chocolate to enhance their flavor experience.' 5 'I think the chocolate enhances the flavor by adding depth and richness to the dish, balancing out the acidity from the tomatoes and peppers,' Hnieno said. Tiktok / @TheHnienoFam The cuisine expert also noted that mixing chocolate and chili peppers dates back to the Mayan and Aztec empires. 'One of the earliest evidence of mixing chocolate and chili peppers dates back to the 15th century [when] Olmec, Maya and Aztec consumed hot chocolate with chili peppers due to [their] medicinal purposes and ritual traditions,' he said. Advertisement But if you have a spare white or milk chocolate bar in your pantry, the food scientist recommends keeping it out of your chili. 'Due to its higher cocoa solids, flavonols and fat content compared to other grades, unsweetened, high-percentage dark chocolates are recommended,' Le advised.
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Post
Survey reveals the most iconic sensations of summer
The most quintessential sensations of summer are the smell of a grill, relaxing at the beach, and diving into the pool, according to a new survey. The nationally representative survey of 2,000 American grill owners found that grilling scents (87%), time near the water (68%), and pool hangs (68%) top the list of iconic summer feelings. Advertisement So it's not surprising that the majority of Americans (80%) agreed cooking outside is one of the joys of the season. 8 The most quintessential sensations of summer are the smell of a grill, relaxing at the beach, and diving into the pool, according to a new survey. Jacob Lund – This year, respondents said they've been looking forward to the best things of summertime for four months on average. And some of the activities they've been anticipating the most are soaking in as much time outside as possible (66%) and hosting backyard parties and cookouts (46%), with Gen Z being particularly stoked about backyard cookouts compared to other generations (59%). Advertisement Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Tyson Foods, the poll found that summer is the favorite time of year for more than a third of Americans (36%), including more than half (52%) of Gen Z. 8 The survey of 2,000 American grill owners found that grilling scents, time near the water, and pool hangs top the list of iconic summer feelings. BalanceFormCreative – And seeing how grillers are hoping to get the most out of the summer months, more than half (53%) are working on leveling up as grill masters this year. Hoping to not heat up the house during the hottest months of the year (52%) and enjoying time spent outdoors (52%), almost two out of three respondents (61%) plan to grill meals at least once a week during the summer. Advertisement And most (69%) also said they're motivated to cook outside simply because they enjoy all the smells wafting off the grill. 8 More than 53% of respondents are working on leveling up as grill masters this year. vach – Seeing what Americans have cooking up this summer, classics like hamburgers (82%) and hot dogs (73%) are popular, along with fancy fare like steaks (74%) and seafood (36%). A third (33%) even said they like to toss literally anything that's 'grillable' on the grill. Advertisement Grillers reported they've already spent three hours in the last month consuming grilling content in hopes of improving their skills, and seeing where they're focusing their attention, grill masters are looking to perfect their ribs (28%), grilled chicken (27%) and brisket (25%) recipes this summer. 8 Seeing what Americans have cooking up this summer, classics like hamburgers and hot dogs are popular. Joshua Resnick – Two-thirds (67%) of Americans are planning to be more budget-conscious this summer. With finances top of mind, most of those looking to cut back spending (74%) are planning to cook more meals at home this summer, rather than dining out, in order to save a bit of money. One-in-five (22%) are looking to spend less on food this summer. And looking at how they'll pull this off, many are shopping in bulk (42%), meal prepping (39%), and trying new recipes (39%), while the majority (77%) are keeping a watchful eye on food prices. The Fourth of July could be dubbed the biggest grilling event of the year, and more than half (56%) of Americans plan on grilling this Fourth of July. 8 Two-thirds (67%) of Americans are planning to be more budget-conscious this summer. Adobe stock Independence Day menus will feature the classics this summer, and hamburgers (68%), hot dogs (60%), and grilled chicken (45%) will be the most popular main dishes per the survey. Alongside those, potato salad (56%), chips (51%), and baked beans (50%) are the favorite sides. Advertisement Many even said they'd be let down if their Fourth of July gathering was missing classics like hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken (49%). 8 The Fourth of July could be dubbed the biggest grilling event of the year, and more than half of Americans plan on grilling this Fourth of July. wavebreak3 – And activities-wise, they'd be bummed if their Fourth of July party was missing fireworks (42%), great music (34%) or outdoor games (21%). TOP FOURTH OF JULY MAIN DISHES Advertisement Hamburgers (68%) Hot dogs (60%) Grilled chicken (45%) Ribs (35%) Sausages (30%) Kebabs (18%) Pulled pork (16%) Pork chops (15%) 8 Independence Day menus will feature the classics this summer, and hamburgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken will be the most popular main dishes per the survey. Drazen – TOP FOURTH OF JULY SIDES Potato salad (56%) Chips (51%) Baked beans (50%) Deviled eggs (37%) Coleslaw (33%) Mac and cheese (33%) Fruit salad (31%) Broccoli salad (14%) Advertisement 8 Spending time at the beach or lake is the second most iconic summer sensations, according to the survey. karelnoppe – MOST ICONIC SUMMER SENSATIONS The smell of a grill (87%) Spending time at the beach or lake (68%) Swimming in a pool (68%) Driving with the windows open or the top down on a car (58%) Going to fairs or festivals (52%) Staying up late at night (49%) The smell of sunscreen (45%) Chasing fireflies (24%) Advertisement Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed a nationally representative sample of 2,000 Americans who own a grill; the survey was commissioned by Tyson Foods and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between June 4 and June 9, 2025.
Buzz Feed
22-05-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Common Food Safety Mistakes Home Cooks Should Avoid
When there's a campylobacter, E. coli, or salmonella outbreak in the food supply, not only does it make headlines but companies often recall food to prevent more people from falling ill. But the same bacteria can show up in home kitchens if you're not careful. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 48 million Americans get foodborne illnesses every year and 128,000 end up hospitalized. Everyone has their favorite preparation and cooking techniques, but you may be unaware that some methods might encourage the spread of pathogens. Although you may associate food poisoning with eating in a restaurant, it's possible to have the same bacteria lurking in your kitchen. 'Food safety is just as important at home as it is in a restaurant,' said Keith Schneider, a food safety professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Florida. 'While restaurants have a bigger impact because they serve a larger group of people, obviously you don't want to prepare food at home and make a family member [sick] or get sick.' According to Joshua Resnick, lead chef at the Institute of Culinary Education who is fully certified in food protection by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 'Pathogens don't care where they are; they will grow the same way at a home kitchen as they do in a professional kitchen. That means that everyone needs to make sure to follow proper food safety guidelines at home.' HuffPost spoke with food safety experts on preparation and cooking methods that aren't food-safe and what to do instead. Neglecting To Wash Your Hands Before you start pulling food from the fridge to prepare a meal, washing your hands should be the first thing you do. Germs can be on your hands and can easily spread to your cooking surfaces and food. According to Mitzi Baum, CEO of STOP Foodborne Illness, a national public health nonprofit advocating for safe food and food safety culture change nationally, 'The first step and first line of defense to food safety is washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water when cooking; this will reduce the incidence of cross-contamination to utensils, towels, countertops and foods.' Washing your hands is an easy and simple prevention method to reduce pathogens. But you may need to wash your hands several times while cooking, especially if you're handling raw meat or picking up your phone to check a recipe. 'Phones and tablets can be breeding grounds for bacteria,' Resnick said. 'It is super important to wash your hands before you start cooking and during the cooking process.' Mishandling Your Cutting Boards Slicing raw chicken or fish on a cutting board? Make sure to wash it with hot water and soap before using the same board to chop vegetables. Otherwise, you create a perfect haven for cross-contamination. 'A classic example is using a cutting board to prepare meat, such as ground beef, and then you also use that same cutting board without adequate cleaning to prepare salad or [use] the knife for cutting meat or preparing poultry,' Schneider said. To prevent cross-contamination, he uses color-coded cutting boards and has separate ones for meat, poultry and fish. Take precautions by washing utensils and items that have touched raw meat ― this can also reduce the spread of pathogens. 'You must be mindful of what and how you are handling foods in the kitchen,' Baum said. You place a piece of steak on a plate, plop it on the barbecue and then, without thinking, place the cooked steak on the same plate. Hello cross-contamination. This may seem an obvious practice to avoid, but it's more common than you may think. 'When you take burgers out to the grill, make sure you take them in on a different plate,' Schneider said. You also want to consider any utensils that come into contact with uncooked meat. 'I wash my tongs in between putting my chicken on and taking them off again,' he said. Washing Raw Chicken There are two teams, those who wash their poultry and those who don't. If you're on team 'always wash your chicken,' you're in for a surprise — it's not a good idea. Washing meat isn't necessary since the meat is sold as ready to cook. 'Washing the bird doesn't really significantly alter it other than removing those surface blemishes,' Schneider said. The issue with washing chicken or turkey? It's a wonderful way to spread bacteria and pathogens in your sink and beyond. When you wash your chicken, Schneider said, 'It now increases the chance of splatter; you have what was salmonella on the bird — is now in your sink, on your faucet, on your countertop.' He said people should be sanitizing their kitchens more frequently, especially after handling raw meat. Wondering what's the best way to sanitize the kitchen? 'You can use any household cleaners labeled for disinfection,' he said. Schneider doesn't recommend a specific brand or type because it depends on the surface you're cleaning. 'Honestly, just soap and water is gonna get rid of a lot of the microbes,' he added. Thawing Meat On The Counter There are many ways to defrost frozen meat, but letting it thaw on the kitchen counter is not one of them. 'It's important to thaw raw meats, fish and poultry correctly because there are bacteria in and on the foods,' Resnick explained. 'If these foods are held at a warm temperature (41 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit) for too long, the harmful bacteria will grow quickly.' If you've had a partially thawed piece of meat, you may think it is still safe. 'Even if the middle isn't thawed, the meat on the outside is exposed to this temperature for an extended period and can make your food unsafe to eat,' Resnick said. There are several ways to defrost meat, according to Baum: 'Thaw in the refrigerator, thaw under cold running water, thaw as part of the cooking process or thaw in the microwave ONLY if it is cooked directly after thawing.' (These tips align with the Food and Drug Administration's guidance.) And if you're thinking, 'I'll just place the frozen meat in a bowl of water,' that's also not a good option. Resnick explained that thawing meat in water is similar to thawing it on the counter. Not Using A Meat Thermometer How do you know when your chicken has been cooked thoroughly? If you're relying on what it looks like, that won't tell you whether it's food-safe. 'Touching foods or looking at color will not provide accurate cooking information and could lead to undercooking,' Baum said. A more reliable method to ensure your meat is cooked sufficiently and you're not at risk of getting sick is a meat thermometer. 'Utilizing a meat thermometer to get an accurate internal temperature will minimize your risk of consuming undercooked meats, fish and poultry,' Baum explained. Maybe you only use a meat thermometer a couple of times a year to check if the turkey is cooked, but food experts recommend you put this handy gadget to use throughout the year. 'Time and temp is one of those great equalizers — if you follow instructions, most of the pathogens that we're concerned about are going to be easily inactivated. So making sure that we reach that killed temperature and having a meat thermometer is critical,' Schneider added. Each type of meat has a different required temperature that has been determined to reduce the levels of harmful bacteria. Check the U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for what is considered a safe cooking temperature. Cooking Raw Food In The Microwave Prefer cooking in the microwave instead of the stovetop? According to Baum, 'Cooking foods in the microwave can be dangerous because foods do not cook evenly in the microwave.' One of the main issues is it's easy to undercook foods. 'Microwave ovens have differing wattage that can influence correct cooking times and lead to undercooking,' Baum explained. 'This is an issue because foods must be cooked to the proper internal temperature to ensure that harmful bacteria are killed during the cooking process.' Educating yourself on how your microwave cooks foods can help you to not eat undercooked food. 'Read and follow the instructions for microwave cooking and know the wattage of your microwave to ensure the product is cooked to the appropriate temperature,' she said. Putting Warm Food In The Refrigerator To Cool Do you place warm leftovers in the fridge before the food is completely cool? You may be unexpectedly putting yourself and others at risk. Resnick explained why this is a big food safety issue. 'Most people take warm leftovers, put them in a plastic Tupperware and stick it into the fridge,' he said. 'However, when food sits inside the danger zone temperature range (41 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit) for an extended time, this can lead to bacteria growth that can get to dangerous levels.' If you're hurrying to clean up the kitchen and put away leftovers, it's important to ensure the food has cooled down. If you don't have time for it to cool on its own, you can help speed up the process while practicing food safety. (Just make sure it isn't sitting out at room temperature for more than two hours!) 'Food should be cooled in metal containers over ice or cut into smaller pieces so they cool down quickly,' Resnick said.
