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<keyword id="44822" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Coconut" source="Orion">Coconut</keyword>, with its rich taste and versatile nature, has long been cherished in various culinary traditions worldwide. From the tropics to global kitchens, coconut's unique flavor and nutritional benefits make it a beloved ingredient. In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about coconut, from its nutritional value and health benefits to its diverse culinary uses and precautions.<br /><strong><br />What is Coconut?</strong><br />Coconut is the fruit of the <keyword id="4670854" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coconut-palm" source="Orion">coconut palm</keyword> (Cocos nucifera) and is known for its distinctive flavor and versatility. It consists of a hard, brown outer shell enclosing white flesh and a refreshing liquid called <keyword id="68402" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coconut-water" source="Orion">coconut water</keyword>. <keyword id="16761961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coconut-flesh" source="Orion">Coconut flesh</keyword> can be enjoyed fresh, dried, or processed into various forms like <keyword id="21036388" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shredded-coconut" source="Orion">shredded coconut</keyword>, <keyword id="889677" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coconut-milk" source="Orion">coconut milk</keyword>, and <keyword id="6359798" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coconut-oil" source="Orion">coconut oil</keyword>.<br /><strong><br />Nutritional Value</strong><br />Coconut is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The flesh is high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), a type of fat that is easily digested and may provide quick energy. Coconut also contains essential nutrients such as manganese, copper, and iron, contributing to overall health and well-being.<br /><br /><strong>Health Benefits<br /></strong>Coconut offers numerous health benefits, thanks to its nutrient-rich composition. The MCTs in coconut may support weight management, boost heart health, and improve brain function. Additionally, coconut contains antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.<br /><br /><strong>Culinary Uses</strong><br />Coconut is a versatile ingredient used in a wide range of culinary creations. Coconut milk and <keyword id="2019194" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coconut-cream" source="Orion">coconut cream</keyword> are popular additions to curries, soups, and desserts, lending creaminess and richness to dishes. Shredded coconut adds texture and flavor to baked goods, granolas, and trail mixes. Coconut oil is valued for its high smoke point and can be used in cooking, baking, and frying.<br /><strong><br />Types of <keyword id="3262025" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="coconut-products" source="Orion">Coconut Products</keyword></strong><br />Coconut products come in various forms, each offering unique flavors and textures. Fresh coconut flesh is enjoyed as a snack or incorporated into dishes. Desiccated coconut, coconut milk, and coconut cream are commonly used in cooking and baking. Coconut oil is available in refined and unrefined forms, with each offering different culinary applications.<br /><br /><strong>How to Buy and Store Coconut Products</strong><br />When purchasing coconut products, look for high-quality options free from additives or preservatives. Fresh coconuts should feel heavy for their size and have no mold or cracks on the shell. Store fresh coconut in the refrigerator for up to a few days, while packaged coconut products can be stored in a cool, dry place or the refrigerator as per package instructions.<br /><strong><br />Precautions and Potential Side Effects</strong><br />While coconut is generally safe for most people, individuals with allergies should exercise caution, especially with coconut-derived products. Additionally, coconut products are calorie-dense, so moderation is key, particularly for those watching their calorie intake or managing weight.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Frequently Asked Questions" comment="subhead" text="Frequently Asked Questions"><span data-til="noop">Frequently Asked Questions</span></cmsannotation><br /><br /><strong>Can coconut oil be used for cooking at high temperatures?</strong><br />Yes, coconut oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for cooking methods like frying and roasting.<br /><br /><strong>Is coconut water hydrating?</strong><br />Yes, coconut water is naturally hydrating and contains electrolytes like potassium, making it a refreshing beverage choice.<br /><br /><strong>How can I incorporate coconut into my diet?</strong><br />You can add shredded coconut to baked goods, smoothies, or oatmeal, use coconut milk in curries and soups, or enjoy fresh coconut flesh as a snack.<br /><br /><strong>Are coconut products suitable for vegan and dairy-free diets?</strong><br />Yes, coconut products like coconut milk, coconut cream, and coconut oil are popular alternatives for those following vegan or dairy-free lifestyles.<br /><br /><strong>Can coconut help with digestion?</strong><br />Coconut contains fiber, which supports digestive health by promoting regularity and preventing constipation.<br /><br />Coconut is a versatile and nutritious ingredient that adds flavor and texture to a wide range of culinary creations. Whether enjoyed fresh, dried, or in processed forms, coconut offers a host of health benefits and culinary possibilities. By incorporating coconut into your diet in moderation and exploring its various culinary uses, you can savor its delicious flavor while reaping its nutritional rewards. Embrace the tropical allure of coconut and let its culinary magic inspire your culinary adventures.<br /><br />Note: The article is based on content generated by AI models like Bard and Chatgpt.<br />

Coconut: A Flavorful and Nutritious Ingredient for Culinary Delights

<p><em>The<span> </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Insider Picks</a><span> </span>team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.</em></p><p><a href="https://amzn.to/2DcOOtI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Shutterstock</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></em></a></p><ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Coconut flesh is rich in nutrients, including healthy saturated fats that may boost your body's fat burning capabilities and increase the healthy HDL cholesterol in your bloodstream.</strong></li><li><strong>While <a href="https://amzn.to/2DcOOtI" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coconuts</a> are a staple dietary item for residents of many tropical regions, people in other areas shy away from this palm seed due to the misconception that they are hard to open.</strong></li><li><strong>With our foolproof technique and a few tools, you can open a coconut quickly and safely.</strong></li></ul><p>Coconuts are delicious, nutritious, and always a welcome treat - that is, if you can crack one open to get at the edible stuff inside. And guess what? You can.</p><p>Although many people think coconuts are hard to open, they're actually not too tough to crack if you use the right technique and a few simple tools like a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-screwdriver" target="_blank" rel="noopener">screwdriver</a>, mallet, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-knife-set" target="_blank" rel="noopener">knife</a>.</p><p>Sure, if you are working with your bare hands alone, then a coconut's thick husk is pretty difficult to break through, though you can always just throw the thing down onto some concrete.</p><p>Since we gather you'd rather use some tools instead of banging a coconut against a hard surface until it opens, we've put together this guide on how to open a coconut three different ways.</p><p>With this little arsenal of common household items on hand, you'll be more than ready to crack that coconut open. </p><h2>Here are the tools you need to open a coconut:</h2><ul class="summary-list"><li>A Phillips screwdriver: <a href="https://amzn.to/2UFdCl0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Black &amp; Red Phillips Screwdriver ($7.57)</a></li><li>A sharp paring knife: <a href="https://amzn.to/2TxYxS8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saken 3.5-inch Paring Knife ($25)</a></li><li>A mallet: <a href="https://amzn.to/2SpVv51" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KitchenAid Stainless Steel Meat Tenderizer ($10.66)</a></li><li>A sturdy vegetable peeler: <a href="https://amzn.to/2t6pEYO" target="_blank" rel="noopener">OXO Good Grips Y Peeler ($10)</a></li><li>A chef's knife: <a href="https://amzn.to/2WGgb8k" target="_blank" rel="noopener">J.A. Henckels 8-inch Chef's Knife ($53.29)</a></li></ul><p>You'll also ideally have access to an oven, a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-cookie-sheet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">baking sheet</a>, and for an alternative technique, a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-kitchen-towels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dish towel</a> and a plastic bag. We'll get to that. </p><h2>Read on to learn how to open a coconut three different ways.</h2><p class="tagline"><a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/insider-picks">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a><br><br>Find all the best offers at our <a href="https://coupons.businessinsider.com/">Coupons page</a>.<br><br>Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.</br></br></br></br></p>

How to open a coconut three different ways - and the tools you need to do it

<keyword id="125932" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kiwi" source="Orion">Kiwi</keyword>, also known as kiwifruit or Chinese gooseberry, is a small, fuzzy fruit native to China. It's packed with nutrients, typically featuring a brown, fuzzy exterior and bright green flesh with tiny black seeds. Kiwis are renowned for their sweet-tart flavor and unique appearance.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Benefits of Kiwi:" comment="subhead" text="Benefits of Kiwi:"><span data-til="noop">Benefits of Kiwi:</span></cmsannotation><br />High in Nutrients: Kiwis are loaded with vitamins C, K, and E, as well as potassium and fiber, making them a powerhouse of nutrients.<br />Boosts Immunity: The high vitamin C content supports the immune system, aiding in fighting off winter colds and illnesses.<br />Aids Digestion: Kiwis contain enzymes like actinidain, which can aid in digestion and reduce bloating.<br />Supports Heart Health: Potassium in kiwis helps manage blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease.<br />Good for Skin: The antioxidants in kiwis contribute to healthy and radiant skin.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="How to Consume Kiwi:" comment="subhead" text="How to Consume Kiwi:"><span data-til="noop"><keyword id="19884358" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="How-to-consume-Kiwi" source="Orion">How to Consume Kiwi</keyword>:</span></cmsannotation><br />Fresh: Slice the kiwi in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon.<br />Skin-on: The skin is edible and provides extra fiber. Just ensure it's washed thoroughly.<br />Juicing: Blend kiwi into smoothies or juices for a refreshing drink.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="When to Consume Kiwi" comment="subhead" text="When to Consume Kiwi"><span data-til="noop"><keyword id="19884359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="When-to-consume-Kiwi" source="Orion">When to Consume Kiwi</keyword></span></cmsannotation><br />Kiwi is a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed any time of day. Some prefer it as a morning snack, while others include it in desserts or salads. Consuming it in the morning can kickstart your day with a boost of nutrients.<br /><br /><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Ways to Include Kiwi in Your Winter Diet" comment="subhead" text="Ways to Include Kiwi in Your Winter Diet"><span data-til="noop">Ways to Include Kiwi in Your Winter Diet</span></cmsannotation><br /><strong>Kiwi Salad:</strong> Combine sliced kiwi with greens like spinach or arugula, nuts, and a citrus-based dressing for a refreshing salad.<br /><strong>Fruit Parfait:</strong> Layer diced kiwi with yogurt, granola, and other fruits for a nutritious breakfast or dessert.<br /><strong>Kiwi Salsa:</strong> Mix diced kiwi with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice for a tangy salsa to pair with grilled fish or chicken.<br /><strong>Kiwi Smoothie:</strong> Blend kiwi with banana, spinach, and coconut water for a vibrant and healthy smoothie.<br /><strong>Kiwi Sorbet:</strong> Freeze blended kiwi with a touch of honey for a delightful homemade sorbet.<br /><strong>Kiwi Chia Pudding:</strong> Combine kiwi puree with chia seeds, almond milk, and a sweetener of choice for a nutritious pudding.<br /><strong>Grilled Kiwi Dessert:</strong> Grill kiwi slices for a few minutes and serve them with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon.<br /><strong>Kiwi Bruschetta:</strong> Top toasted bread with mashed kiwi, ricotta cheese, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze for a unique appetizer.<br /><strong>Kiwi and Oatmeal:</strong> Add sliced kiwi to your morning oatmeal or overnight oats for a refreshing twist.<br /><strong>Kiwi Infused Water:</strong> Drop slices of kiwi into your water for a subtle fruity flavor.<br /><br />Incorporating kiwi into your winter diet not only adds a burst of flavor but also provides an array of health benefits to keep you energized and healthy during the colder months.<br />

Kiwi delights: 10 Irresistible recipes for a healthy winter

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Elizabeth Lavis left New York for Thailand, planning to stay for 6 months, and ended up living there for 3 years.</li><li>While living abroad, she missed some things about the US, but when she returned, it didn't feel like home.</li></ul><p>As I tucked into a bowl of wisp-thin <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/oldest-soup-in-world-wattana-panich-bangkok-food-thailand-2022-8">Thai rice noodles</a> studded with bok choy and sprinkled with fried garlic, all I could do was wax poetic about Buffalo wings.</p><p>Plastic spoon in one hand, chopsticks in the other, I described my hometown's finest fare, which included hot, buttery chicken wings. My favorite basket always came from a local dive bar in Western New York, 15 miles from Niagara Falls.</p><p>Throughout the three years I <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-couple-house-rural-thailand-debt-free-slow-life-2023-10">lived in Thailand</a>, a few Chang beers or a familiar Garth Brooks song about friends in low places would often prompt me to crave a seat at that bar, 8,533 miles across the ocean, with wings on one side and Reuben fries on the other.</p><p>After three years of teaching English, working at summer camps in the far north of Thailand, and spending long weekends <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sleeper-train-overnight-thailand-bangkok-chiang-mai-review-tickets-guide-2022-8">exploring the country by train</a>, I moved back to Buffalo. I was excited to bathe my eager tastebuds in all the Frank's hot sauce and meaty wings and wash it down with an ice-cold Loganberry soda.</p><p>But for some reason, everything was different. The old classic dishes didn't offer the culinary homecoming I'd been hoping for. Instead, I got horrid stomach cramps and acute nausea. The Buffalo wing mythology no longer held up. More importantly, I didn't feel like I was home.</p><h2 id="f11ff5ba-994d-403e-a6e0-5b3d637957f9">My "6-month" journey to Thailand</h2><p>After breaking up with my long-term boyfriend, crashing my car, and quitting my job — in that order — I moved to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/white-lotus-season-3-hotel-location-thailand-resort-four-seasons-2024-1">Koh Samui</a>. I told everyone I'd be back in six months.</p><p>But six months passed on the tropical island in the Gulf of Thailand, and instead of heading home, I made a visa run to the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lao-china-railway-train-ride-countryside-burned-photos-laos-2023-5">Thai-Laos border </a>to stay for longer. It would be my first of many, extending my initial six months to three years.</p><p>I was hooked on the steamy weather, the beaches with water the color of blue topaz, and the food. The ice-cold pineapples tasted as sweet as sponge candy (a treat from Buffalo similar to toffee). Lunch usually included spicy som tom with sour tamarind, peanuts, and shrimp, along with coconut water straight from the shell — always served with a little spoon to dig out the creamy flesh.</p><p>Fresh <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jay-fai-michelin-star-bangkok-street-food-stall-review-price-2022-8">Thai food</a> and the tropical climate did come with a few tradeoffs. Spiders, as big as softballs, would plop in front of me and scuttle away to some dark corner of my bathroom as I shrieked and swatted to no avail. Cockroaches were similarly supersized, and some could fly. Packs of stray dogs and lumbering monitor lizards shared urban space, even taking refuge in air-conditioned 7-11s during the most sweltering days.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sleeper-train-thailand-overnight-booking-tickets-guide-bangkok-chiang-mai-2022-8">Thai transportation</a> wasn't always reliable or safe, including rickety trains that often ran late. Sometimes you'd hear horror stories about them derailing. Once, I heard an unsubstantiated and harrowing rumor about a monkey that climbed up a train toilet and terrorized the passengers until someone tranquilized it. While this particular story might be a total myth, anyone who's ever ridden those trains knows that a stowaway is not entirely implausible.</p><h2 id="33c2ad4b-39eb-4691-95dd-015aec9d3537">A strange homecoming</h2><p>After three <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retired-abroad-thailand-cheaper-respectful-retiree-resort-2024-1">years in Thailand</a>, I thought I was ready to come home. I missed reliable transportation, manageable bugs, the change of seasons, my friends and family, and the Great Lakes comfort food I'd been pining for.</p><p>At first, I relished the change. Buffalo is gloriously predictable in the best possible way. There are no surprise toilet monkeys. The trains do not derail. The food delivers on its promises: fatty, spicy, bready, and often served with a big cup of chunky blue cheese. On the other hand, there is not much public transportation, and as I didn't have a car, I was at the mercy of Uber. Also, my tastebuds had veered sharply from the local cuisine during my years away.</p><p>Beyond catching up with family and old friends, I felt little connection to my hometown. It was jarring, unexpected, and deeply sad. After three years away, my happy homecoming felt more like visiting a distant place full of friendly and familiar faces than settling back into my comfort zone.</p><p>I even realized that my <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/comfort-food-around-the-world-2018-3">definition of comfort food</a> had changed.</p><div type="image" title="Blonde woman looking off to the sunset from a boat in Costa Rica" height="469" width="631" msid="110161421" hostid="261" sizebytes="46852"></div><h2 id="99370462-cfdb-4368-a1da-c456c2b219d5">On the road again</h2><p>A year later, I headed back to the tropics, this time south, to Costa Rica. My plan was to chase epic surfing on the Pacific Coast, explore the rainforest, and brush up on my Spanish.</p><p>Now, while tucking into a plate of gallo pinto with Linzano sauce, my mind wanders to the wobbly red plastic chairs where I sat curbside to enjoy my favorite noodle soup in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/thailand-bangkok-tourist-mistake-travel-guide-local-tips-2023-4">Bangkok </a>— a reminder of another one of my homes.</p><p>When I left for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-couple-moved-uk-thailand-slow-life-rural-offgrid-farmstead-2024-2">Thailand</a> almost a decade ago, I imagined that I'd be going back to my "real life" after six months. Now, I understand that traveling is my "real life," and it's as authentic and valid as a stationary one. Sometimes, the chaotic streets of Bangkok or the cozy bar-rooms of Buffalo still whisper my name. But I'm happy to keep moving forward, finding adventure, comfort, and a sense of home on the road.</p><p><em>Got a personal essay about culture shock or relocating that you want to share? Get in touch with the editor: </em><a target="_blank" href="mailto:akarplus@businessinsider.com"><em><u>akarplus@businessinsider.com</u></em></a><em>.</em></p>

After 3 years in Thailand, I moved back to New York. It didn't feel like home anymore, so I took off again. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>I've been a <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-foods-to-buy-at-costco-from-restaurant-critic-2023-5">restaurant critic</a> for 15 years and there are some things I always order at new spots.</li><li>I can get the best picture of a restaurant by trying its ambitious items — even if they sound bad.</li></ul><p>I started <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-things-to-make-in-air-fryer-restaurant-critic">writing restaurant reviews</a> at a newspaper in Vermont in 2008. Since then, my work has taken me to publications in Houston and the DC metro area. Over the past 15 years, restaurants have changed a lot, but how I choose a winning dish hasn't.</p><p>This article should serve as crib notes for any restaurant diner looking to <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-and-worst-things-to-get-at-seafood-restaurant-2021-8">order the way one professional restaurant critic does</a>.</p><h2><strong>The most ambitious item is the most important thing to order</strong></h2><p>Pork loin with strawberry gochujang and tangy yuzu kosho? Scallops flavored with chermoula, cashews, and coconut served on dry ice? For some diners, it might sound like overkill, but to me, these dishes were a gateway to discovering the chef's vision even before I interviewed them. </p><p>Though those particular examples were scores, I even order flavor combinations or unlikely preparations that are almost bound to be bad. I still remember an eel-and-banana roll at a sushi restaurant in Vermont more than a decade ago. The combination didn't work, but I absolutely gave it the benefit of the doubt.</p><h2><strong>Pepperoni pizza is the standard-bearer</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="tavern style pizza round cut in squares thin crust" height="3744" width="5616" msid="102081221" hostid="261" sizebytes="1482206"></div><p>I know that some pizza purists espouse that it's all about dough, sauce, and cheese. But I would argue that when <a href="https://www.insider.com/which-the-best-delivery-pizza-in-midwest-jets-dominos-pizza-hut-review">tasting a pizza</a>, the quality of the pepperoni and how it's crisped tells its own very illustrative story.</p><p>That's why, when I order pizza, it's always a pepperoni pie. From there, it's OK to try something with more creative toppings but to get a baseline, I want to eat pizza in its most basic, and arguably also most compelling, form. </p><h2><strong>Ribs are unforgiving</strong></h2><p>For years, I've said that if I were ever to open a restaurant, it would specialize in the ribs of many different animals. I love the fatty, tender flesh that much, but I also order it with a critic's eye.</p><p>I have no tolerance for falling off the bone. Thanks to having reviewed some of Texas' best 'cue, I know that meat should adhere just until a diner tears it from the bone. This rule applies whether I'm <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-things-at-costco-for-barbecuing-from-pitmaster-2023-6">at a barbecue stand</a> or an upscale restaurant.</p><h2><strong>Duck confit is one of my go-to orders</strong></h2><p>There are few things that speak to my soul quite like a salty duck leg slow-cooked in its own fat. Any application will do, whether it's served with sweet saba or aromatic pistachio dukkah.</p><p>That said, if the skin's a little flaccid, I'll note it for work purposes, but happily push it aside and keep eating.</p><p>I've made it myself before, but for the most part, it falls squarely in the category of things <a href="https://www.insider.com/tips-for-cooking-things-everyone-should-know-how-to-make-chef-2021">I would rather someone else cook for me</a>.</p><h2><strong>Get the cream sauce</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="pasta with cream sauce in bowl with slice of bread and green herb garnishing edge of plate" height="3264" width="4352" msid="102081223" hostid="261" sizebytes="460702"></div><p>Cream sauces can break, so a chef always wins points in my book when they turn out right. The same applies to buttery but creamless Béarnaise sauce — it's one of my most beloved things, but matters can go south quickly, so it's always worth my appraisal.</p><h2><strong>Game meats are always welcome</strong></h2><p>For years, I kept a list on Facebook of every type of animal I'd eaten, slowly growing as I cooked camel from a Somali grocery or traveled to Peru for guinea pig.</p><p>The list has long since disappeared, but I believe that I'm well into the 30s or 40s. My favorite so far is bear. I've found that if it's braised properly it can take on some qualities reminiscent of wagyu beef.</p><h2><strong>I can't resist a chocolate dessert</strong></h2><p>I've often joked that if I were to run for president, it would be on the platform of making it law that restaurants must have at least one chocolate dessert on the menu at all times.</p><p>I opt for a <a href="https://www.insider.com/bakers-share-best-and-worst-desserts-to-order-at-a-restaurant">chocolate dessert</a> unless there is something far more creative or interesting. I love tasting the breadth of what pastry chefs can do with the most crave-able of ingredients.</p><h2><strong>I always check if the charcuterie is made in house</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Charcuterie board on wooding board with folded salami and other meats and a few pieces of cheese" height="2476" width="3714" msid="102081225" hostid="261" sizebytes="394612"></div><p>Charcuterie boards have taken over menus, but I have to be careful when ordering them. I don't want packaged meats that chefs throw together with an upcharge when I could just as easily buy good prosciutto to eat at home.</p><p>Though there are exceptions to this rule (perhaps a few slices of beautiful jamón ibérico de bellota off a whole leg), I'm usually only interested in ordering charcuterie if the chef has crafted it themselves. But when they do, I'm sure to taste my way through their pâtés de campagne and hot coppas.</p><h2><strong>This Connecticut native is exacting about casual Italian fare</strong></h2><p>I order chicken Parmigiana everywhere I can. Like a pepperoni pizza, it tells me practically everything I need to know about a place in a single dish.</p><p>How thinly pounded is the chicken? How brown and blistered is the cheese? Is the pasta al dente? This is one of the dishes I judge most harshly, but when a chicken Parm hits right, it can make my year.</p><h2><strong>Turkey sandwiches are my diner favorite</strong></h2><p>I didn't realize until I left New England for Houston that hot turkey sandwiches were such a regional treasure. But they are, <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-and-worst-things-to-eat-at-diners-2020-2">as are Northeastern-style diners themselves</a>.</p><p>In my opinion, the best open-faced turkey sandwiches are bathed in yellow gravy and accompanied by crispy fries, but I'm not too picky. As long as the sandwich doesn't have deli-sliced turkey (which has, sadly, happened to me), I'm likely to be thrilled.</p>

I've been a restaurant critic for 15 years. Here are 10 things I always order when I visit somewhere new.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>High <keyword id="12561153" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fiber" source="Orion">fiber</keyword> foods include chia seeds, beans, coconut, guava, peas, and much more.</li><li>Make a quick high-fiber snack with some carrots and hummus or avocado toast.</li><li>Aim to get as much fiber as you can from whole foods compared to supplements.</li></ul><p>Fiber is <a href="https://www.insider.com/fiber-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">beneficial for your health</a>: It helps support regular bowel movements and keeps you <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002470.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">feeling fuller, longer</a>, which may aid weight management.</p><p>Moreover, "getting enough fiber helps<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146107/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> promote a healthy gut and digestive tract</a>, and has been shown to help reduce risk of chronic diseases such as<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/eat-more-fiber-rich-foods-to-foster-heart-health#:~:text=Fiber's%20role%20in%20preventing%20heart,less%20and%20perhaps%20lose%20weight." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> cardiovascular disease</a>,<a href="https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/148/1/7/4823705" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> type 2 diabetes</a>, and<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6560290/#:~:text=Mechanism%20of%20dietary%20fibre%20may,the%20lining%20of%20the%20colorectum." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> colorectal cancers</a>," says<a href="https://www.pritikin.com/lon-ben-asher" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Lon Ben-Asher</a>, RD, a dietician with Pritikin Longevity Center, a <keyword id="11894571" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">health</keyword> resort. </p><h2>Types of fiber</h2><p>Fiber is a substance found in plants and there are <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002136.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">two types (both equally important for your health)</a>: </p><ul><li><strong>Soluble fiber</strong> dissolves in water, forming a gel. This helps slow digestion, which helps control blood sugar and can reduce risk of heart disease. Soluble fiber is found in beans, whole wheat, seeds, nuts, and fruits.  </li><li><strong>Insoluble fiber</strong> is found in vegetables and whole grains. It doesn't dissolve in water. Instead, it helps food pass through the stomach and intestines and adds substance to the stool.</li></ul><p>Females should get<a href="https://www.eatright.org/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/easy-ways-to-boost-fiber-in-your-daily-diet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 25 grams</a> (g) of fiber each day, while males should get 38 g. Unfortunately, only about<a href="https://nutrition.org/most-americans-are-not-getting-enough-fiber-in-our-diets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 7% of Americans</a> reach their recommended daily, so most of us could benefit from eating more fiber. </p><p>The best sources of fiber are whole, minimally-processed plant-based foods, says Ben-Asher. So, incorporating these 15 high-fiber foods into your <keyword id="11892706" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="diet" source="Orion">diet</keyword> can help you meet your fiber needs. </p><h2>1. Chia seeds</h2><p>Just one tablespoon of dry chia seeds contains nearly<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 4 g</a> of fiber. Incorporate chia seeds into a smoothie or yogurt for breakfast, or make chia seed pudding for a fiber-rich dessert. </p><p>Just be careful when eating dry chia seeds because they can cause swallowing problems as they absorb fluid. Generally, it's recommended to soak chia seeds in a liquid for <a href="https://cookingchew.com/how-to-soak-chia-seeds.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at least 10 minutes</a> before consuming.</p><h2>2. High-fiber cereal</h2><p>An unsweetened, high-fiber cereal, like Fiber One Original Bran or Nature's Path No Added Sugar granolas, is a great way to start your day with a dose of fiber. </p><p>Half of a cup of high-fiber cereal contains about<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 14 g</a> of fiber, so you'll be well on your way to hitting your daily goal.</p><h2>3. Guava</h2><p>When you eat guava you consume the flesh, rind and seed, making this fruit an awesome source of fiber. One cup has<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 9 g</a> of fiber. </p><h2>4. Raspberries</h2><p>If you prefer your fiber with a touch of sweetness, grab some raspberries. You'll get<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 8 g</a> of fiber in each cup. </p><p>Blackberries and blueberries are also rich in fiber and can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, or eaten fresh. </p><h2>5. Chickpeas</h2><p>Cooked chickpeas have more than<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 6 g</a> of fiber in just half a cup. Roast them for a crunchy snack, or puree them into hummus for a healthier veggie dip compared to ranch or blue cheese dressing. </p><h2>6. Lentils</h2><p>Lentils are bursting with fiber and also rich in protein, so they're super healthy, says Ben-Asher. Add these to salads or eat them in soups or sauces. A half cup of cooked lentils has nearly<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 8 g</a> of fiber.</p><p>There are <a href="https://www.fao.org/pulses-2016/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-lentils/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">various types of lentils</a> including red, green, and brown. Some types may have more fiber than others so check the nutrition label before purchasing if your focus is fiber. </p><h2>7. Beans</h2><p>Beans are full of fiber and can be incorporated into many dishes like soups, spreads, and salads. </p><p>Navy, white, and yellow beans all have more than<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 9 g</a> of fiber in just half a cup, making them one of the most fiber-rich food options. </p><h2>8. Avocado</h2><p>Half a cup of avocado has<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 5 g</a> of fiber. <a href="https://www.providence.org/doctors/profile/850572-james-jae-kyoung-lee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">James J. Lee</a>, MD, a gastroenterologist with Providence St. Joseph Hospital recommends spreading avocado on sandwiches, or incorporating diced avocado with beans for a fiber-rich meal.</p><h2>9. Peas</h2><p>Frozen peas are one of the simplest vegetables to prepare and an easy source of fiber, with<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 9 g</a> per cup. Eat peas on their own, in soups or curries, over a salad, or over whole grain bowls.</p><h2>10. Kiwi </h2><p>A cup of kiwi contains<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 5.5 g of fiber</a>. Kiwi is<a href="https://www.healio.com/news/gastroenterology/20201027/kiwi-fruit-effective-well-tolerated-in-treating-chronic-constipation#:~:text=Two%20peeled%20kiwi%20fruit%20per,presented%20at%20ACG%202020%20Virtual." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> particularly helpful</a> for people who have chronic constipation, Lee says, and it can help with conditions like<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21147704/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> irritable bowel syndrome</a>. Add kiwi to a fruit salad or cube it and freeze it to add to smoothies.</p><h2>11. Bananas</h2><p>Bananas are easy to carry, so they're great for snacking on the go, says Lee. A medium banana has about<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 4 g</a> of fiber, while larger bananas have up to 6 g, he says. </p><h2>12. Cauliflower</h2><p>Cauliflower is a low-calorie vegetable, and is a great substitute for rice or refined flour in dishes like pizza, Ben-Asher says. You'll get<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 5 g</a> of fiber in each cup of cooked cauliflower, including lots of insoluble fiber. </p><h2>13. Coconut</h2><p>Coconut probably doesn't spring to mind when you think of fiber. And yet one ounce of coconut has<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 4.5 g</a> of fiber. Sprinkle unsweetened shaved coconut on oatmeal or yogurt to add some texture and additional flavor.</p><h2>14. Popcorn</h2><p>If you're craving a crunchy snack but want to incorporate fiber, <a href="https://www.insider.com/is-popcorn-healthy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">popcorn</a> is a great choice. </p><p>Each cup has about<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/resources/2020-2025-dietary-guidelines-online-materials/food-sources-select-nutrients/food-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 2 g</a> of fiber, but since you usually eat a few cups at a time you'll end up with a substantial dose. Just be sure not to go overboard with butter and salt. </p><h2>15. Almonds</h2><p>One ounce of raw almonds has 3.5 g of fiber. Grab a handful of almonds on the go as a snack or sprinkle them over a salad. They'll add texture and a bit of sweetness to any dish.</p><h2>Insider's takeaway</h2><p>Whole-wheat breads, cereals, and pastas generally have<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/whole-grains/art-20047826#:~:text=These%20grains%20are%20either%20present,,%20selenium,%20potassium%20and%20magnesium." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> more fiber</a> than alternatives that are not whole-wheat, so choosing those along with the foods above can help bolster your fiber intake. </p><p>Some people may benefit from fiber supplements, but you should talk to your doctor before using them. Some supplements only provide 2 to 4 grams of fiber per serving, says Lee, so you'll still need to eat fiber-rich foods to meet your daily recommendations. </p><p>Because of that, almost all Americans should be focused on eating more fiber-rich foods, says Ben-Asher. "Consuming an adequate amount of dietary fiber daily is essential to overall health and wellness," he says.</p>

15 fiber-packed foods and tasty tips for how to eat them

<ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Whole sweet potatoes cook in just 6 to 8 minutes in the <keyword id="11896839" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="microwave" source="Orion">microwave</keyword>.</strong></li><li><strong>Always prick sweet potatoes with a fork before <keyword id="11910989" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="cooking" source="Orion">cooking</keyword> to allow steam to escape.</strong></li><li><strong>Microwaved sweet potatoes can be served as a side dish, mashed, or used in baking.</strong></li></ul><p>Whether you're planning to serve sweet potatoes as a side dish or use mashed sweet potato to add body to soup or baked goods, the bright orange vegetable needs to be cooked until tender. The oven is a popular method, but sweet potatoes can take up to an hour to cook this way.</p><p>A quick and easy option is the microwave. There are several benefits of microwaving a sweet potato:</p><ul><li><strong>Shorter cook time:</strong> "Because microwaves cook the <keyword id="11894142" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="food" source="Orion">food</keyword> itself rather than heating up the air around the food, cooking something in the microwave typically cuts out around 50 to 75% of the cook time [when compared to other methods]," says Steph Chen, founder and CEO of <a href="http://cookanyday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anyday</a>, a microwave cookware company. A sweet potato cooks in the microwave in just 6 to 8 minutes as opposed to 40 minutes to an hour in the oven.</li><li><strong>Energy-efficient:</strong> The short cook time means less energy is used, especially since the microwave won't heat up your kitchen like an oven will. This makes it an especially good option in the summertime.</li><li><strong>Nutrition:</strong> "Microwaving retains more nutrients in food than any other cooking method. This is because it cooks faster [and] uses lower heat," says Chen. This makes it <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/ask-the-doctor-microwaves-impact-on-food" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a nutritious option</a> for cooking sweet potatoes than baking, steaming, or boiling.</li><li><strong>Moist results:</strong> "The microwave acts like a super-fast steamer, resulting in an incredibly fluffy and spoonable sweet potato," says Chen. If you like sweet potatoes moist and creamy, then use the microwave.</li></ul><p><strong>Quick tip: </strong>The output wattage, or the amount of power a microwave generates, can vary greatly from model to model, ranging anywhere from 600 to 1,200 watts. Keep your microwave's wattage in mind as it has an effect on the cook time. Less powerful microwaves take longer to cook food and higher wattage models cook food faster.</p><h2><strong>How to microwave a sweet potato</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Person cleaning a sweet potato under running water" height="1372" width="1829" msid="89413496" hostid="261"></div><p>To microwave a whole sweet potato, you'll need a fork and either a microwave-safe container with a lid or a microwave-safe plate and a paper towel or clean, thin kitchen towel. </p><p>If you're microwaving more than one sweet potato at a time, use a large enough dish that they can lay in a single layer.</p><ol><li><strong>Clean the sweet potato. </strong>Run the sweet potato under cool water and scrub the exterior with a soft brush. Pat dry. </li><li><strong>Prick with a fork. </strong>Prick the sweet potato with a fork in a few different places, making shallow holes. "This gives an opening for the steam from the inside of the potato to escape so that it doesn't explode," says Chen. </li><li><strong>Place in a dish and cover. "</strong>The most important thing when microwaving anything is to keep the moisture inside the food", says Chen. To capture steam, place the sweet potato in a microwave-safe dish with a tight-fitting lid and close the lid. Alternatively, wrap the sweet potato in a moist paper towel and set it on a microwave-safe plate or wide bowl. </li><li><strong>Microwave. </strong>Cook the sweet potato on high power for 6 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of your potato. If your microwave doesn't rotate, turn the plate 90 degrees and flip the sweet potatoes halfway through cooking. If your sweet potato is especially small, start checking at 4 minutes. If you are cooking more than one sweet potato, you'll likely need to add cook time. Start by adding one minute, check for doneness, and continue cooking in one-minute increments as needed.</li><li><strong>Check for doneness. </strong>The sweet potato is done cooking when it can be easily pierced all the way through with a fork or paring knife.</li><li><strong>Crisp the skin (optional). </strong>If you prefer the peel crispy, transfer the cooked sweet potato to a baking sheet and slide it under the broiler for a few minutes, just until the skin is crisp.</li><li><strong>Peel (optional). </strong>If you'd like your sweet potato peeled or plan to mash it, let the sweet potato cool slightly and peel, using a paring knife to help remove any areas that are stuck to the flesh.</li></ol><p><strong>Quick tip: </strong>You can also cook cubed sweet potatoes (peeled or unpeeled) in the microwave. Cut a potato into one-inch cubes. Spread out into a single layer on a plate and loosely tent with a dry paper towel. Cook on high for 3 minutes, then check for doneness using a fork. If not yet tender, continue to microwave for 1-minute increments until tender.</p><h2><strong>How to use microwaved sweet potatoes</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Person scooping sweet potato mash to serve at a well set dinner table" height="1373" width="1831" msid="89413497" hostid="261"></div><p>"There are a million things you can do with microwaved sweet potatoes," says Chen. Here are some ideas to get you started:</p><ul><li><strong>Loaded: </strong>Split open a whole, microwaved sweet potato. Season with salt and pepper and top with butter, sour cream, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, and chives.</li><li><strong>Sesame:</strong> Roughly chop a cooked sweet potato and toss with a tablespoon each of tahini and sesame seeds.</li><li><strong>Coconut mash:</strong> Mash cooked sweet potatoes with enough coconut milk to make a creamy mixture and a teaspoon of coconut oil per potato.</li><li><strong>Brown sugar cinnamon mash: </strong>Mash cooked sweet potatoes and mix with 1 to 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and a half teaspoon of cinnamon per potato. Top with <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-toast-pecans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">toasted pecans</a>.</li><li><strong>Soup: </strong>Peel and mash cooked sweet potatoes and purée with a cup of broth and aromatics like sautéed <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-cut-an-onion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">onions</a> and <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-mince-garlic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">garlic</a> to make a soup. Add spices like curry powder or dried thyme.</li><li><strong>Baking: </strong>Peel and mash sweet potatoes and use the mash to make sweet potato pie, bread, muffins, cupcakes, and more.</li></ul><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> Store cooked sweet potato in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Whether whole, cubed, or mashed, it will keep for five days.</p><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway</strong></h2><p>If you need to cook a sweet potato fast, the microwave is the best option. Prick the outside with a fork before cooking and either place in a lidded container or wrap in a moist paper towel. The sweet potato is done when you can easily pierce it with a fork. Serve loaded with toppings, mashed as a side dish, or used to make baked goods.</p>

How to microwave sweet potatoes for a healthy side dish in no time

<ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Jungle juice is a punchbowl-type drink that features many different alcohols.</strong></li><li><strong>It's made up primarily of vodka, rum, and various fruit-flavored drinks.</strong></li><li><strong>Spritz the jungle juice with some club soda to add carbonation and lengthen the drink's life.</strong></li></ul><p>If there's one "<keyword id="12298951" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="cocktail" source="Orion">cocktail</keyword>" everyone's most likely consumed, but probably never ordered at a bar, it's the perennially famous (and in some cases infamous) jungle juice. An everything-but-the-kitchen-sink type drink, jungle juice is a mix between a Long Island iced tea punch bowl and a sangria. </p><p>It most likely started in the basements and apartments of college students as a creative concoction to overindulge, while also making use of any leftover alcohol or beverages people were trying to get rid of. </p><p>"[Jungle juice] really truly is an assortment of all different kinds of alcohol, and it's always mixed with sugary additives from juices, fruits, things like that," says Julianna McIntosh, owner and mixologist of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/join_jules/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Join_Jules</a>. "It really is just an easy way for people to make a big batch drink for at home parties."</p><p>This hodge podge approach brings about many different iterations of jungle juice, with some opting for flavored liqueurs or rums while others even add in various gummy candies.  </p><p>"It's a punch bowl with a lot of different types of alcohols in it, and that doesn't necessarily have to have this negative connotation," McIntosh says. "There's not one recipe that is the original recipe. It's your own interpretation of what jungle juice is, which is kind of fun."</p><h2><strong>Best alcohol for jungle juice</strong></h2><p>McIntosh recommends starting with a neutral spirit like vodka or a grain alcohol like Everclear, since it doesn't impart much flavor and can serve as a solid base. From there, she says, you can start getting creative.</p><p>"When I think of jungle juice, I think tropical," McIntosh says. "So I think rum is a really great thing to add." </p><p>While McIntosh typically uses dark rum in her jungle juice, you can also try white, spiced, and flavored rum for a little extra kick.</p><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> McIntosh warns would-be mixologists to steer clear of using Kool Aid packets in jungle juice, especially when mixing with Everclear. "It changes the flavor to where you can't even taste the alcohol," McIntosh says. "So if you're just mixing that with vodka, you're drinking straight vodka."</p><h2><strong>What you'll need</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="Three jugs of fruit-flavored drinks." height="1414" width="1885" msid="87046799" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>While this is McIntosh's favorite way to make jungle juice, you can use any combination of alcohol, fruit, juice, and even candy you prefer. McIntosh does recommend keeping the alcohol to juice ratio to thirds - ⅓ for the alcohol and ⅔ for the juices - to ensure the safest experience for guests.</p><ul><li>One bottle of white rum</li><li>One bottle of dark rum</li><li>One bottle of Everclear (optional)</li><li>Five to eight lemons, limes, and oranges (quartered)</li><li>One pineapple (without the outer flesh)</li><li>3 tablespoons of all-spice</li><li>5-7 cinnamon sticks</li><li>1 liter of prune or pomegranate juice</li><li>1 liter of orange juice</li><li>1 liter of pineapple juice</li><li>Ice (to serve on the side)</li></ul><p><strong>Quick tip: </strong>While it's easier to buy juices from the store, McIntosh encourages people to make the juices themselves. "I think that it tastes better when it's fresh," she says. </p><h2><strong>How to make jungle juice (serves 15 to 20 people)</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="An overhead shot of a punchbowl with fruit in it." height="666" width="888" msid="87046802" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><ol><li><strong>Pour in the alcohol. </strong>According to McIntosh, it's important to start with the alcohol to get a sense for exactly how much hard liquor there is, and how much juice is needed to balance it out.</li><li><strong>Throw in your fruits, cinnamon, and all spice. </strong>Allow the citrus to marinate in the alcohol, like a sangria, and infuse even more flavor.</li><li><strong>Add in juice and mix. </strong>Heighten the fruity and sweet notes more with juice, be it fresh-squeezed or store bought. Serve with ice on the side to keep it from getting watered down.</li></ol><p><strong>Quick tip: </strong>When serving jungle juice at a party, McIntosh says to add a liter or two of club soda or sparkling water to add carbonation. "It won't change the flavor at all, but it'll stretch out the life a little bit longer throughout the party and it'll give it those bubbles," says McIntosh. </p><h2><strong>Jungle juice variations</strong></h2><ul><li><strong>Make a tropical treat to sip poolside or at the beach. </strong>Use a palette of rums - from spiced to different flavors like pineapple or coconut. Throw together a banana <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-make-simple-syrup" target="_blank" rel="noopener">simple syrup</a> for an extra twist.</li><li><strong>Turn it into a mocktail. </strong>Include the kids in the fun by omitting the alcohol and tossing in some candies like Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, or gummy bears.</li><li><strong>Add a garnish. </strong>Elevate the jungle juice with some rosemary or sage to incporate a fanciful flair.</li></ul><h2><strong>Storing jungle juice</strong></h2><p>If you have any drink leftover once the party's over, McIntosh says to store it in an airtight container like a Mason jar. You can refrigerate it for three to four days, spritzing it with a little club soda to freshen it up whenever you pull it out to drink again.</p><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway</strong></h2><p>Whether you're trying to make use of leftover alcohol or just want a boozy punch bowl for a pool party, jungle juice is a straightforward and easy-to-make beverage that can be taken in a number of different directions. </p><p>Simply mix a combination of rum, vodka, or neutral alcohol with juice, and add sliced fruit to infuse extra flavor. While the juice can be store bought, McIntosh suggests opting for homemade juice instead.</p><p>"I like to make it as fresh as you can because it'll just taste better," says McIntosh. "But use what you've got and it will turn out just fine."</p><a data-type="6144aeb00e9bbc64ab7335cd">Here's a simple and easy recipe to make jello shots with any spirit</a><a data-type="611e685cec3f55070974d3bb">What's the difference between whiskey and bourbon? How bourbon is different from other types of whiskey</a><a data-type="611e6ab1a27a1f082864d697">What's in an Aperol spritz? How to make the simple Italian cocktail</a><a data-type="60bfbe9e7c964f28695ffdb9">6 ways to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew, ranked by ease and practicality</a>

How to make a fruity jungle juice punchbowl that will be a hit at your next party

<ul class="summary-list"><li>It takes just 10 minutes to cook silky, fluffy mashed <keyword id="6399610" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="potatoes" source="Orion">potatoes</keyword> in the <keyword id="11910990" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="instant-pot" source="Orion">Instant Pot</keyword>.</li><li>Cubing the potatoes into equal 1.5 or 2-inch cubes ensures they cook evenly.</li><li>Experiment with mix-ins and toppings to elevate the flavor of Instant Pot mashed potatoes.</li></ul><p>The perfect mashed potatoes are silky, luscious, and fluffy and you can quickly and easily get that magical consistency by making them in the Instant Pot. Angela Lo, author of <a href="http://www.myinstantpotlife.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">My Instant Pot Life</a> likes to use this method because it's faster than the stovetop method and requires no monitoring. </p><p>"How many times have you over-boiled water or boiled a pot dry because you had to multitask and forgot all about it?" Lo asks, adding that water boiling over doesn't just create a mess. It's potentially dangerous, too. </p><p>For Lo, making mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot is the way to go for a number of reasons.</p><ul><li><strong>It saves time</strong>. In a pot, potatoes usually take at least 15 minutes to boil. In the Instant Pot, they cook in 10 minutes.</li><li><strong>Requires minimal cleanup</strong>. <keyword id="11910989" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="cooking" source="Orion">Cooking</keyword> mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot requires only one pot. And there's no need to worry about water boiling over, leaving a mess on your stovetop. </li><li><strong>Requires zero monitoring. </strong>On the stovetop, boiling potatoes require your attention to keep water from boiling over. With the Instant Pot, you can focus on other meal prep tasks, which is especially helpful when you're making Thanksgiving dinner or another holiday meal that requires a lot of multitasking.</li><li><strong>Creates perfect results every time. </strong>You don't have to worry about under or overcooked potatoes. The Instant Pot cooks potatoes to the perfect consistency for mashing. </li></ul><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> If you're in the market for a new Instant Pot or multicooker, the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-reviews-expertise-in-product-reviews" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider Reviews team</a> tested 10 models to find <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-pressure-cooker-instant-pot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the best ones you can buy</a>.</p><h2><strong>Ingredients</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="A close up of a pile of Yukon gold potatoes" height="1412" width="1883" msid="85501241" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><ul><li><strong>Potatoes</strong>: Lo's favorite potatoes are Yukon gold potatoes because they create a smoother texture in the end. But any yellow-fleshed potato will also work.</li><li><strong>Water:</strong> A cup of water in the base of the Instant Pot will steam your potatoes.</li><li><strong>Butter</strong>: Adding butter to your mashed potatoes makes them richer and silky </li><li><strong>Cream (or milk)</strong>: Adding a splash of cream to the mashed potatoes makes them "pillowy soft," according to Lo. </li><li><strong>Salt and pepper to taste<br /><br /></strong></li></ul><h2><strong>What else you need</strong></h2><ul><li>An Instant Pot</li><li>The Instant Pot's trivet or steam rack</li><li>Wooden spoon</li><li>Strainer</li><li>Potato masher</li></ul><h2><strong>How to make mashed potatoes in an Instant Pot</strong></h2><div type="image" title="A pot of cooked potatoes being mashed with a potato masher" height="1414" width="1885" msid="85501243" hostid="261"></div><ol><li><strong>Prepare your potatoes.</strong> Leave the peels on for added texture, or peel them for a silky smooth mash. Cube the potatoes into 1.5 to 2-inch pieces. Cutting the pieces into similar sizes will ensure even cooking. </li><li><strong>Prepare your Instant Pot. </strong>Pour water into the Instant Pot. Lo recommends at least 1 cup of water for a 6 quart Instant Pot. Make sure to salt the water so the potato cubes soak up some of that briny flavor while they cook.</li><li><strong>Add the potatoes.</strong> Place the Instant Pot's trivet or steam rack into the bottom of your Instant Pot and set the cubed potatoes on top. </li><li><strong>Set the cook time. </strong>Select manual high pressure and set the timer for 10 minutes. It will take a short amount of time for the device to come up to pressure. Once that happens, the timer will start to countdown. </li><li><strong>Manually release the pressure from the Instant Pot.</strong> Using a long utensil like a kitchen spoon, gently push down the Instant Pot's steam valve. Be careful- the escaping steam will be ultra hot.</li><li><strong>Remove the potatoes with a ladle and strain them. </strong>Remove the steamer rack or trivet with tongs, being careful not to burn yourself and dump out the remaining water.  </li><li><strong>Mash the potatoes. </strong>You can place the strained potatoes back into the Instant Pot or use a separate bowl. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter and a splash of cream (or milk), along with some salt and pepper to taste. Make sure to try the potatoes before adding salt since you've previously salted the water. If you're also using salted or half-salted butter, you might not need to add more.</li></ol><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> Don't overwork your potatoes in the mashing process or they could turn gummy. Mash them just enough to get a smooth, creamy final product.</p><h2><strong>How to serve your mashed potatoes</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="A classic Thanksgiving dinner with spiced turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and green beans" height="1414" width="1885" msid="85501245" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>Adding additional ingredients to your mashed potatoes isn't necessary, but it's a great way to put a spin on this classic dish. Some of Lo's favorite mix-ins for mashed potatoes include roasted garlic, grated <a href="https://www.insider.com/types-of-cheese" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aged cheddar</a>, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/bacon-in-the-oven" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crispy bacon bits</a>.</p><p>She also likes to garnish her mashed potatoes with garden-grown chives to level them up. "For the ultimate side dish, add them all," Lo says.</p><p>Her favorite dishes to serve alongside Instant Pot mashed potatoes include pork roast, beef pot roast, ribs, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/best-steaks-for-grilling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">barbecue sirloin steak</a>. And, of course, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a fluffy mound of gravy-soaked mashed potatoes right next to the turkey and stuffing.</p><p>You can also top your mashed potatoes with gravy, cheese, sour cream, or extra butter to elevate the flavor profile even further.</p><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> For vegan mashed potatoes, use a vegan butter substitute and dairy-free milk or coconut milk instead of milk or cream. You can also reserve and use the potato cooking water to mash them with. Serve them with slabs of crispy marinated tofu or tempeh or a tasty bowl of Instant Pot cooked beans. </p><h2>Reheating and storing mashed potatoes</h2><p>You can make a big pot of mashed potatoes ahead of time and store them in an airtight container, but expect them to have a slightly different flavor and be less fluffy when reheated.</p><p>If leftover mashed potatoes are too dry, try adding a splash of milk and a pat of butter to moisten them. "Mine never last long enough to go beyond one day," says Lo, but leftover or made-ahead mashed potatoes should last around two to three days in the fridge.</p><h2>Insider's takeaway</h2><p>Mashed potatoes are ultra-easy to make in the Instant Pot. They require no monitoring and take less than 15 minutes to prep, cook, mash, and serve. For best results, use yellow or Yukon gold potatoes and be careful not to overwork the potatoes while mashing. Gently mashing with a handheld tool will keep the mashed potatoes from turning gummy.</p><a data-type="60fb1425f1315a085968f36f">How to make foolproof rice in an Instant Pot</a><a data-type="610d520804eb5919e94bb2dd">How to make baked potatoes in an Instant Pot</a><a data-type="60e4892eef8e794ded7cf086">How to make perfect bacon in the oven every time</a><a data-type="59920009b0e0b5da098b4c57">The 4 best Instant Pots and electric pressure cookers we tested in 2021</a>

How to make mashed potatoes in an Instant Pot

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Leanna Garfield/Tech Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>I'm not a vegetarian, but I've tasted my fair share of veggie burgers - both from grocery stores and restaurants.</p><p>The most tasty ones have come from a rising number of hip vegan joints. The ones I buy from the frozen food aisle, on the other hand, can often taste dry or rubbery.</p><p>So when Beyond Meat claimed it made a 100% plant-based burger that tastes like real beef, I was skeptical, even though Bill Gates <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/mcdonalds-vet-don-thompson-joins-beyond-meat-2015-11">has backed it</a>. But w<span>hen I bought a package, the raw patties looked exactly like raw beef - except that they're made mostly from pea protein, yeast extract, and coconut oil. They contain beet juice, which gives them a reddish color.</span></p><p><span>I grilled a patty on a small skillet for three minutes on each side, and a lot of "plant blood" sizzled on the pan. While it cooked, it didn't smell like meat, but it sure looked like a burger. It was juicy, a little browned on the outside, and still pinkish in the middle.</span></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"></div></div></p><p>Then, <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/review-of-beyond-meat-veggie-burger-that-bleeds-2016-5">I took a bite</a>. It was by far the best veggie burger that you can buy at a grocery store.</p><p>To be clear, it wouldn't fool me as a normal burger in a blind taste test. But the texture, mimicking the flesh and muscles of a cow, is the closest to beef I've ever tasted. (To make it taste even more like beef, I'd add steak seasoning next time.)</p><p>This isn't the first veggie burger created by the seven-year-old startup, but it's the first one that's not sold frozen like most vegetarian meat products. Instead, the new Beyond Burger is sold in refrigerators alongside real meat.</p><p>Like most delicious things, there's a high demand for the Beyond Burger. It's currently <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/beyond-meat-introduces-beyond-burger-2016-5">only available</a> at a Whole Foods <span>in Boulder, and when it</span> hit the shelves there on May 23, the stock <a href="https://twitter.com/BeyondMeat/status/734883420472410112">sold out in an hour</a>. But t<span>he startup says it will sell the burger in more stores soon, so stay tuned.</span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-best-hidden-features-2016-5">These hidden features will make your iPhone so much better</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="xrMGNpMDE6CKt8yh4WEuOI2f6YOymI7R" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

This Bill Gates-backed veggie burger is the best one you can buy in a grocery store

<p>Hello 2014!</p>
<p>It's time to shake off the holiday cookie crumbs and start eating healthy again. Fortunately, the new year brings a great selection of tasty, yet nutritious foods that may have flown under our radar in the past, but are now ready to make a big splash.</p>
<p><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">1. Cauliflower.</strong></p>
<p>Food-trend watchers have named <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/12/31/food-trends-2014-_n_4523642.html" target="_blank">cauliflower the new kale</a>. Cauliflower is low in calories and fat, and high in protein and fiber. It can also be prepared in many different ways - roasted, mashed, sauteed, or eaten raw. If you want to really go crazy, you can try orange cauliflower, which has <a href="http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/new-foods" target="_blank">25 times more vitamin A</a> than the white version.</p>
<p class="full"><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/8130880534/in/photolist-douTvq-8L4tMt-8VGSZU-7NxMoj-7XaiTv-8arDxw-d6jt5L-bdnRVn-agVMXf-bkpZSG-bUfn5q-8arEdG-byX1kQ-92oUzu-86nc96-aQD2AT-8wVxr1-95H6qT-9Sfy5c-7A9yMP-8UXAVT-dmjr1c-9jjNPR-bUgnCC-bUgnh9-bD9okL-9e1c1A-9r4Xr3-9JhGdV-9GprLT-7XdxPq-bqJRe4-edKNjy-8wnqRk-chgBFo-8xDmBo-8MpejU-dKQHjA-dMj14F/">Liz West/Cauliflower</a></p><p class="caption">Cauliflower will rival kale as a superfood in 2014.</p></div></div></p>
<p><strong>2. Swiss chard:</strong> Dark greens will continue to reign in 2014. But if you're tired of spinach and kale, consider bringing Swiss chard into the kitchen. The thick-ribbed vegetable has a slightly bitter taste but can be cooked just like other leafy green vegetables and packs the same nutritional punch. It's high in vitamin C, iron, and calcium. Saute it with a little olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper for a healthy dish.</p>
<p class="full"><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-80492p1.html">Ulga/Shutterstock</a></p><p class="caption">If you're tired of spinach and kale, Swiss chard is a tasty and nutritious alternative.</p></div></div></p>
<p><strong>4. Mangosteen: </strong>Native to Southeast Asia and touted for being rich in antioxidants, this tropical<strong> </strong>fruit may give the acai berry a run for its money. Despite its name, the mangosteen is not related to the mango.</p>
<p>It has a thick reddish-purple rind and sweet, juicy white flesh on the inside. For decades, fresh mangosteen was not available in the mainland United States because they can harbor insects pests. In August 2013, mangosteens became <a href="http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-mangosteen-most-delicious-fruit-on-earth20130829,0,2629316.story#axzz2pG1quiXR" target="_blank">available at 10 Whole Food stores</a> in the Southern California area. You can tear off the rind and eat the white segments on their own or puree the fruit (including the rind) into a healthy juice. </p>
<p class="full"><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mangosteen3.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></p><p class="caption">Mangosteen, a tropical fruit native to Indonesia and Malaysia, only recently became available in the United States.</p></div></div></p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> <strong>Ancient grains:</strong> Thanks in part to the gluten-free craze, ancient grains like amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and teff are making a comeback. These grains are called "ancient" because they have been around unchanged, for at least 1,000 years. (Modern-varieties of wheat and corn, for example, have been selectively bred so they are different from the older cultivated varieties).</p>
<p>Another old grain, called freekeh, is gaining popularity in America, although it has been enjoyed in Middle Eastern for many centuries. Because of the way it's processed, freekeh has more fiber than rice and is also high in protein, though it's not gluten-free.</p>
<p class="full"><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-1460294p1.html">teleginatania/Shutterstock</a></p><p class="caption">Ancient grains like buckwheat will be popular in 2014.</p></div></div></p>
<p><strong>5. Arctic char:</strong> The <a href="http://www.restaurant.org/Downloads/PDFs/News-Research/WhatsHot/What-s-Hot-2014.pdf" target="_blank">National Restaurant Association's</a> annual "What's Hot" culinary forecast, predicts that non-traditional fish, like Arctic char, branzino, and barramundi will be edging their way onto menus this year. Arctic char is a mild, yet rich fish that's related to salmon and trout. Because the Arctic char is mostly farmed, Seafood Watch has named it a "<a href="http://www.seafoodwatch.org/cr/seafoodwatch/web/sfw_factsheet.aspx?fid=193" target="_blank">best choice</a>" for the environment.</p>
<p class="full"><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gpeters/3249409823/sizes/l/">Geoff Peters/Flickr</a></p><p class="caption">Arctic char is related to salmon and trout.</p></div></div></p>
<p><strong>6. Kimchi:</strong> This pickled cabbage dish has long been a staple in Korea, but it's been gaining momentum in the U.S. as part of a growing trend in fermented foods. Fermentation is the process by which bacteria converts sugar into alcohol.</p>
<p>Some research also shows that fermentation can be good for you. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21745625" target="_blank">One study</a> found that people who ate fermented kimchi for one month lost more weight and showed improvements in total cholesterol and blood pressure, compared to those who ate fresh kimchi.</p>
<p class="full"><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503183968@N01/8142349589/in/photolist-dpvERK-dpvFzK-dpvQuq-dpvQjL-dpvPvL-dpvQcm-dpvEYk-dpvPLY-bJENFx-e4Bsgs-a9eV2n-7DAvsn-9CXeM7-9CXfom-ed6oW6-ed6pWK-edc48W-iB1ivk-e1TUzZ-bPP9yB-dpvQpo-dpvF4R-dpvFFH-dpvQPb-dpvECK-dHbPzh-7ZJemx-7ZJeDP-7ZJe96-9tunEs-dEGScn-arn2TL-fsT6Ns-arjcjX-armR29-armR11-armR2C-arjchr-armQZs-e9tvsK-cCYtmd-e5fCfE-9kwMiF-9vL9op-8oDHP2-e4eNGg-eddYPY-ed4BDP-edvzHG-edqZ5M-byXYub">autonome/Flickr</a></p><p class="caption">Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish.</p></div></div></p>
<p><strong>7. Coconut: </strong>We've already heard about coconut water, but other coconut foods will be reaching mainstream consumers this year. The National Restaurant Association says that eateries will be serving up more coconut milk pancakes and a <a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/top-diet-and-weight-loss-trends-for-2014-from-coconut-oil-to-quinoa-to-kale" target="_blank">survey of dietitians</a> predicts that coconut oil (which has no cholesterol or trans-fats) will continue to be praised for its wide-range of <keyword id="6354750" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="health">health</keyword> benefits, <a href="http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/" target="_blank">including improved brain function and aiding weigh-loss</a>. </p>
<p class="full"><div class="image-container"><div class="image"><p class="source"><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-1373887p1.html">Lusie Lia/Shutterstock</a></p><p class="caption">Coconut milk pancakes will be a delicious breakfast treat in 2014.</p></div></div></p>

7 Foods We Should Be Eating In The New Year

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Leanna Garfield/Tech Insider</span></p><p class="caption">The new Beyond Meat burgers.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>I am by no means a vegetarian. My top three favorite meals are crab cakes, chicken marsala, and cheeseburgers.</p><p>So when Beyond Meat claimed it invented <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/beyond-meat-introduces-beyond-burger-2016-5">a plant-based veggie burger</a> that tastes like beef, I was curious to try it. It sounded too good to be true.</p><p>The new Beyond Burger launched May 23 at a Whole Foods in Boulder, Colorado, the only store it's available in so far. Each package comes with two four-ounce patties; and at $5.99, it's almost <a href="http://www.thedenverchannel.com/money/consumer/shop-smart-comparing-colorado-meat-prices-and-5-ways-to-save-money-on-meat">twice the price</a> of beef per ounce.</p><p>When I opened the package, the patties looked exactly like raw beef - except they're made mainly from pea protein, yeast extract, and coconut oil. They contain beet juice, which gives them a reddish color.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Leanna Garfield/Tech Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>According to the nutrition label on the back, the Beyond Burger has significantly more protein, sodium, calories, and fat compared to a normal burger.</p><p>Since the patty is made of plants, I wasn't sure whether to coat the pan with oil or not. The package's instructions didn't mention anything, so I just threw it on a small skillet in medium-high heat.</p><p>Unlike most veggie burgers I've tried, the Beyond Burger sizzled like meat. It didn't smell like beef however - more like a vegetable I couldn't immediately identify. Peas perhaps?</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image"></div></div></p><p>About three minutes later, I flipped the patty over, and it was slightly browned.</p><p>After waiting about three more minutes, the burger was done. It generated a lot of juice on the spatula, although it didn't look exactly like normal beef blood.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Leanna Garfield/Tech Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>After I added lettuce, tomato, and ketchup, I took a bite. In a blind taste test, it definitely wouldn't fool me as beef, but its texture was shockingly close - and it was even pink in the middle. To make it taste more like a normal burger, next time I would use steak seasoning.</p><p>Inside, bits of veggies mimicked the muscles and flesh of a cow. Overall, it was tasty and juicy, unlike most veggie burgers which can often taste closer to cardboard than beef.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Leanna Garfield/Tech Insider</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>It's not the first plant-based burger from the seven-year-old startup, but it's the first from Beyond Meat that's not sold in the frozen food aisle. And unlike other veggie burgers by popular brands such as Amy's and Morningstar, the Beyond Burger <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/beyond-meat-introduces-beyond-burger-2016-5">sits next to real refrigerated beef</a> at the Colorado Whole Foods. Beyond Meat plans to distribute it to more stores later this year.</p><p>Since the Beyond Burger somewhat closely mimics the experience of eating a traditional burger, it may be one step closer to a more environmentally friendly patty.</p><p>Meat production is harsh on the planet. Traditional livestock farming accounts for an estimated <a href="http://www.nature.com/news/one-third-of-our-greenhouse-gas-emissions-come-from-agriculture-1.11708">18%</a> of all global greenhouse emissions, uses <a href="http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/agriculture/impacts/water_use/">70% of the world's water</a>, and exhausts <a href="https://www.ifpri.org/news-release/gfpr-2016-press-release">47,000 square miles</a> of land every year. Cattle is the main source of this environmental havoc.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Francois Lenoir/Reuters</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Beyond Meat aims to shake up the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/11/growth-agriculture-business-forbeslife-food07-cx_sm_1113bigfood.html">$48 trillion</a> global meat industry by creating palatable alternatives. For that reason, it's garnered much hype from vegetarians, meat-eaters, and <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/mcdonalds-vet-don-thompson-joins-beyond-meat-2015-11">a long list of investors</a>, including <span>Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, the Humane Society, and Bill Gates. </span></p><p><span>Another similar startup, called Impossible Foods, will soon launch <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/impossible-foods-cheeseburger-backed-by-bill-gates-2015-10">a plant-based "cheeseburger</a>," which has already raised a VC backing to the tune of <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/impossible-foods-raises-108-million-2015-10">$108 million</a>. It has also received rave reviews, including <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/impossible-foods-burger-2016-5">one</a> from world-renowned chef and Momofuku founder David Chang. </span></p><p><span>"<span>Today I tasted the future and it was vegan: this burger was juicy/bloody and had real texture like beef. But more delicious and way better for the planet," he wrote in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/davidchang.momofuku/photos/a.434066809942035.121186.233778186637566/1354484237900283/?type=3&amp;theater">a Facebook post</a>. "I can't really comprehend its impact quite yet...but I think it might change the whole game."</span></span></p><p><span>Although Americans are among <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/06/27/155527365/visualizing-a-nation-of-meat-eaters">the highest per capita eaters of meat in the world</a>, a growing number of people are <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/02/26/465431695/eat-less-meat-were-told-but-americans-habits-are-slow-to-change">slowly</a> cutting down.</span></p><p><span>Both Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are riding that trend, but unlike many other vegetarian brands, the two startups are</span><span> targeting carnivores.</span></p><p><span>It's hard to change habits - especially when it comes to enjoying a delicious burger - but inconspicuous veggie burgers like Beyond Meat's could be the key.</span></p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/google-engineer-hangs-up-on-daughter-io-2016-5">A Google engineer just cut off his daughter's phone call during a live presentation</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="FhNXlrMzE60XaREmI2mmf6LkWhpClBVx" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

I tried the Bill Gates-backed vegetarian burger that 'bleeds' and sizzles like beef

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><strong>The <keyword id="79969" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="insider">INSIDER</keyword> Summary:</strong></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>• "Moana" is a new Disney animated film that transcends stereotypes.</strong><br /><strong>• The story of an empowered young woman is the core of the film's magic.</strong><br /><strong>• The movie features amazing visuals, fantastic music, and great comedy.</strong></p><p><strong><br /></strong>"Moana" is a feat of Disney-movie magic that everyone should see during the holiday season. The two-hour film tells the story of Moana - a 16-year-old living on a Polynesian island called Motunui. </p><p>Thanks to the trickery of an arrogant demigod named Maui, a darkness is spreading across the ocean and sapping the islands of their natural resources. Moana sets out to find Maui and convince him to help her restore the Pacific Islands to their habitable state. </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p><p class="caption">Moana and Maui become a dream team at sea.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Moana is an intentionally atypical Disney character in every way. Not only is she the first Polynesian "princess," but she specifically refuses to self-identify as a princess and corrects Maui when he tries to say otherwise.</p><p>She is the daughter of the <span>Motunui</span> chief, but instead of being told that she must choose a husband (ahem - looking at you "Pochontas" and "Brave"), Moana is following in her father's footsteps and becoming a leader of her people without the caveat of needing to marry first.</p><p>Moana's conflict also does not arise from an arranged marriage or love interest, but from a desire to explore the open ocean in search of a solution for their island's deteriorating resources. Moana's father wishes for their people to stay within the confines of the island's reef, but Moana chooses to follow her own solution instead.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p><p class="caption">Moana is the new heroine we all deserve.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Throughout the movie Moana proves to be capable and confident. Though she receives help throughout the turbulent journey, the assistance never comes in the form of a cheap "rescue." Instead Moana almost always takes the first step towards a solution, or works in tandem with Maui. Her mortal capabilities often match his demigod powers when it comes to problem-solving and self-motivating.</p><p>Moana demonstrates a fearlessness while oozing compassion and the awareness of a bigger world in play beyond herself. She shoulders the responsibility of being her people's chieftess-in-training, and risks everything against her father's wishes because she trusts in a larger power. </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p><p class="caption">Moana doesn't take attitude from Maui lightly.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Directors Ron Clements and John Musker didn't just take the time to flesh out a real heroine - they made sure to go about telling the story of Polynesian culture from the right perspective, too.</p><p>For the past five years, <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/11/moana-oceanic-trust-disney-controversy-pacific-islanders-polynesia">Clements and Musker have been making trips to the Pacific Islands</a> <span>including Samoa, Tahiti, Mo'orea, and Fiji. Over time they created a coalition of anthropologists, historians, choreographers, musicians, and linguists called the Oceanic Trust. Together this group helped to shape "Moana" and keep the writing and design as authentic as possible.</span></p><p><span>This was a much needed step on Disney's part, since the studio has often faced criticism for mishandling culture narratives or reinforcing stereotypes. </span></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p><p class="caption">Maui is a real Polynesian hero in mythology.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The cast of "Moana" also reflects the extra efforts of Disney to include actors from within the Polynesian cultural sphere. Hawaiian newcomer Auli'i Cravalho shines as Moana, bringing a maturity and charm to her character's inspiring storyline.</p><p>Moana's father, Chief Tui, is played by New Zealander Temuera Morrison, while the much-loved "Flight of the Concords" comedian (and fellow New Zealander) <span>Jemaine Clement sings as the hermit-crab monster Tamatoa.</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p><p class="caption">Tamatoa has one of the best (and funniest) songs in the movie.</p></div><p></p></div></div></span></p><p>Rachel House lended her voice to Moana's Gramma Tala - the "village crazy" who provides inspiration along with emotional and spiritual support to her granddaughter.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p><p class="caption">Gramma Tala always has Moana's back.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Everyone who already loves Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will adore his larger-than-life onscreen presence as Maui. His character's inflated ego and swagger carry energy throughout the film, and Maui's musical number "You're Welcome!" is a tune you'll be whistling on the way home from the theater. </p><p>The other star single from the "Moana" soundtrack - "How Far I'll Go" - is sung by our heroine throughout the movie. Though it likely won't match the high bar set by "Let It Go" in "Frozen," the song is a standout from the start. I found myself playing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNra8eK0K6k">Alessia Cara's pop radio version</a> on repeat in the days after seeing "Moana." </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p><p class="caption">Be right back, crying while listening to "How Far I'll Go."</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The music's catchiness is partly owed to "Hamilton" star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote and composed the music alongside Somoan musician <span>Opetaia Foa'i and Disney veteran </span>Mark Mancina ("The Lion King" and "Tarzan"). You can hear Miranda's unmatched lyricism and creative wordplay throughout the stellar soundtrack. </p><p>In addition to being a solid cultural representation and setting a new standard for independent female leads in animated movies, "Moana" delivers on the laughs and visuals. Comic relief is sprinkled throughout the awesome adventure sequences with the help of Moana's low-IQ pet chicken HeiHei and a cute mini pig named Pua.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p><p class="caption">Pua isn't in the movie as much as HeiHei, but we love them both.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The ocean waves and lush island landscapes are beautifully rendered, and the art of drawing realistic hair - that Disney animators perfected in "Frozen" - was carried over to Moana and Maui's character designs. </p><p>There are dazzling and sometimes spooky sea creatures, of course. One sequence involving anthropomorphic coconuts called kakamora reminded me of a PG take on the deranged car chases in "Mad Max: Fury Road." </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Disney</span></p><p class="caption">They look innocent now, but just wait.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>From start to finish, "Moana" will keep a smile on your face <span>when you're not crying because, you know, it's Disney and (spoiler alert!) someone has to die. But the</span> warm-fuzzy feeling Disney movies usually deliver will be in your heart.</p><p>At a time when positive examples of female leadership are needed and respectfully celebrating different cultures is vital to unity, "Moana" shines through. The movie is on par with Pixar's reputation for appealing to child and adult audiences alike, so all moviegoers will find something to love.</p><p>"Moana" sails into theaters on November 23, just in time for the US holiday season. </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/inside-one-of-the-most-prestigious-chocolate-laboratories-2016-11">Here's what happens inside one of the most prestigious chocolate laboratories in the world</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="45ZDRuNzE6ruUe1W_nUTBQbBOmaAtYjr" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

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