Casey

Do Lucky Charms Have Gelatin?

Sadly, the marshmallow lucky charms are made with a pork collagen. This collagen is tasteless itself and is used in a few cereals containing marshmallow bits. These collagen bits are gelatin, so lucky charms marshmallows do contain gelatin. 

Because of this ingredient, lucky charms are taken off the list of a lot of different diets. For example, because lucky charms has gelatin, they aren’t kosher, vegan, or halal.

What’s In Lucky Charms?

I love lucky charms, but let’s be honest, most people don’t even know what’s inside them. Thankfully all of their ingredients are listed on the Lucky Charms website.

Whole Grain Oats, Sugar, Corn Starch, Modified Corn Starch, Corn Syrup, Dextrose. Contains 2% or less of: Salt, Gelatin, Trisodium Phosphate, Red 40, Yellow 5 & 6, Blue 1, Natural and Artificial Flavor. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) Added to Preserve Freshness.

Obviously gelatin is listed as an ingredient, so if you were wondering if lucky charms have gelatin, sadly they do. 

Are Lucky Charms Kosher?

So what about lucky charms kosher status?

Lucky charms contain gelatin derived from pork skins or collagen. Because of this, lucky charms are NOT kosher since pork isn’t kosher. 

This refers strictly to the lucky charms marshmallows, I’m not sure about the ingredients used in the lucky charms cereal itself.  

Do Lucky Charms Have Gluten?

So, lucky charms have gelatin and they aren’t kosher, but are they gluten free?

Well, thankfully lucky charms are naturally gluten free and the ingredients used to make them are gluten free. There is one side note though, Lucky Charms claims that during the farming of the ingredients, some grains can get mixed in during harvesting. 

Because some grains can get mixed in, lucky charms may be gluten free, but be cautious as some gluten filled ingredients might accidentally get thrown in. 

Are Lucky Charms Vegan?

We’ve gone over the ingredients and what’s in lucky charms, and sadly one of the ingredients knocks lucky charms out of the list of vegan foods. Because lucky charms contains gelatin derived from pork collagen, it’s not vegan! 

So if you’re following a vegan diet, you’ll have to stay away from lucky charms!

Are Lucky Charms Halal?

What about lucky charms halal status?

Well, lucky charms aren’t halal for the same reason they aren’t vegan, they contain animal derived gelatin. The gelatin that lucky charms marshmallows are made of comes from pork collagen, making lucky charms something to avoid if you’re only eating food that’s halal. 

Where Does Gelatin Come From?

Gelatin is something talked about often in different diets or as an ingredient in many foods. But, where does gelatin come from and how is it made?

Gelatin has a few sources and ways it’s created but the main way is by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, or bones in water. The protein from this process of boiling animal parts is what goes into making gelatin.

Macarons are a delicious and fancy dessert that everyone should try at least once in their life. Whether it be a normal cream filling, lemon filling, strawberry, or anything else, all macarons are going to please anyone with a sweet tooth.

There’s a surprising variety of different kinds of macarons and beautiful artistry of how they’re made, but are there health concerns? Are Macarons vegan? Are these delicious treats gluten-free? Answering those kinds of questions is what this article is all about!

What Are Macarons?

A macaron is a smooth topped meringue sandwich cookie made with egg whites, almond flour, powdered (confectioners) sugar, and food coloring. The filling in these cookie sandwiches is usually buttercream, ganache, or fruit jams. 

The meringues used are mostly airy and cake-like in texture with a little bit of chewiness. The texture depends a lot on how they’re baked, as it’s hard to bake macarons properly, some may come out hard or underbaked. 

Macarons come in a wide variety of flavors and colors. Here are some ideas for fillings that illustrate just how diverse of a treat this can be. 

Are Macarons Vegan?

Sadly macarons are NOT vegan. The meringues in macarons are made with egg whites and the cream filling usually contains dairy, making macarons something to avoid if you’re following a vegan diet/lifestyle. 

Non-Vegan Ingredients in Macarons

So what makes macarons non-vegan? Not all macarons are made the same, but most will use standard ingredients with only slight variations. 

Egg Whites

Egg whites are obtained from eggs, an animal product. Because of where egg whites come from they are not vegan and since they’re used in macarons, they make the meringues used in macarons non-vegan.

Buttercream

Buttercream is made from dairy products including butter and heavy cream/milk. These dairy products are animal byproducts making them non-vegan friendly. While there are vegan buttercream recipes, it wouldn’t exclude the meringues from still being non-vegan.

Ganache

Another common ingredient for macaron fillings is ganache. This creamy filling is also non-vegan as it uses animal byproducts such as dairy, thereby making it another ingredient that makes macarons non-vegan. 

Are Macarons Gluten Free?

The natural and traditional ingredients used in macarons are gluten-free! So if you were worried about this delicious treat having any effect on you or a gluten-free diet, then don’t worry as they are safe to eat!

Keep in mind that only the traditional base ingredients for a macaron are gluten-free, different flavors may not be gluten-free. For example, perhaps a cream filling incorporates graham crackers for an extra flavor. At that point, the macaron would no longer be gluten-free, so be sure to check what kind of macaron you’re eating.

A great gluten-free recipe I recommend for macarons comes from Spruce Eats! Keep in mind that making macarons is an art and I recommend looking up some videos on how to do each step in the recipe.  

Are Macarons Dairy Free?

Macarons are NOT dairy-free. The meringues that make up the macarons are usually dairy-free, depending on the recipe used. However, most cream filings use milk or other dairy products to make them. So, if you’re looking for a dairy-free macaron, find a recipe that replaces the filling with a non-dairy substitute. 

Are Trader Joes Macarons Vegan?

Trader Joe’s macarons use traditional ingredients, including butter and cream. As these ingredients are animal byproducts, they are not vegan or dairy-free!

Can You Make Macarons With Coconut Flour?

Homemade coconut flour can be used to make macarons, but commercially bought coconut flour cannot be used as a one-to-one ratio substitute for almond flour. The issue with store-bought coconut flour is that it is mostly processed for preservation and has been defatted as well. 

Can You Make Macarons Without Sugar?

Yes, macarons can be made without sugar but need a proper replacement. Xylitol for example will work as an alternative and there are recipes that incorporate xylitol instead of sugar. 

Substitute For Halloumi Cheese

There are a few cheeses that are similar to halloumi cheese. Because of the variety, you’ll have plenty of options for halloumi cheese substitutions! 

While there are plenty of replacement options, halloumi cheese still has a tangy and salty taste that might not be perfectly matched by all cheeses on this list. Originating in Cyprus, halloumi comes from goat or sheep’s milk, sometimes from cows. This means that the texture as well as the taste might not always be an exact match for other cheeses derived from cows milk. 

So let’s get to it, these are some substitutes for halloumi cheese!

Mozzarella

Mozzarella can have a somewhat bland taste with a hint of being sour. The older the cheese gets, the more sour it can become. While the tastes will be slightly different to halloumi, mozzarella does offer a similar texture to your meal and when fresh, can be a great substitute for halloumi cheese. 

When used as a topping to melt, they also offer similar consistencies when heated.

Feta Cheese

Feta cheese is more closely related to halloumi cheese in taste, containing a salty and tangy taste. If you’re looking for a closer taste, then feta cheese might be a good replacement idea for halloumi. Anyone who’s had feta cheese knows the textures won’t be the same as feta is more crumbly. That being said, if your recipe requires a melted cheese, then feta will work fine as a substitution. 

Provolone

While a slightly harder cheese with a more bitter taste, in a crunch provolone can make do as an alternative for halloumi. Provolone is most commonly used on sandwiches or bread, so if your halloumi recipe was for a burger or sandwich, then provolone will make as a familiar substitute. 

Indian Cottage Cheese (Paneer)

While paneer is commonly used in Indian dishes, it has many other recipes that it can work with from around the world. There are also plenty of similarities between paneer and halloumi, making it a nice substitute for halloumi. Despite the similarities between these white cheeses, there are some differences such as paneer being more firm in texture and having a milky taste. 

Queso Panela

Ironically, queso panela makes for a very good substitute for paneer, so it works very well as a substitute for that as well as a replacement for halloumi. Queso panela is a Mexican cheese that is commonly used as an appetizer but can be added to any meal for a cheesy addition. 

How Is Halloumi Cheese Made?

Halloumi cheese is made from heating milk and adding rennet (curdled milk) and allowing curds to grow. Those curds from the mixture are cut and the rest is drained, leaving only curds. The next step is to poach the cheese in water or whey before finally being salted. After 3 to 5 days, the seasoned cheese is ready to be eaten! The cheese can also be stored in brine for later consumption if it’s not eaten fresh. 

The process isn’t fairly complicated and doesn’t use bacteria like many other cheeses. 

What Does Halloumi Cheese Taste Like

Raw halloumi cheese has a salty and bitter taste that is surprisingly tasty. Once halloumi is cooked it drops this drops some of it’s salty taste to be a bit more on the savory and creamy side. 

Is Halloumi Cheese Healthy

Before we get on the topic of the health benefits of halloumi, it should be noted that this is a dairy product derived from cows milk. So if you are sensitive to lactose or vegan, halloumi cheese should be avoided!

There are some positive sides to halloumi cheese though and one of them is the protein content. In a 80g serving of halloumi, there is roughly 19.1g  of protein which is essential for good muscle health. This high protein cheese also makes it a viable candidate for a meat replacement!

Another health benefit of halloumi is the calcium present in the cheese.  Calcium is a mineral used in muscle and nerve function and like most dairy products halloumi is full of it!

What Is Kombu?

Kombu is an edible seaweed or kelp that is common to use in the Japanese dish “Dashi”. It’s usually used to enhance a dish or in a broth instead of eating raw as it’s texture can be rubbery. Kombu or other edible sea vegetables are very common in Japanese dishes and have been used in their culinary practices for 1500 years.

Best Kombu Replacements

Kombu makes a great addition to many Japanese meals, especially Dashi. However, you might not have kombu or may have trouble finding it depending on where you are. If that’s the case, there are some kombu replacements that act as substitutions for this edible veggie. Below are some of the best options for kombu alternatives!

Hondashi

Hondashi is a soup stock powder that is common in Japanese cooking. Like kombu, it’s used to add flavor to any dish that you want to have that authentic Japanese taste. 

Mentsuyu

Mentsuyu is made with kombu and some other ingredients. It’s also used as a soup base for many Japanese dishes. While Mentsuyu won’t be an exact match for taste, it will make do in a pinch. 

Kombu Tea

Kombu tea is made from dried and chopped kombu, making it a great substitute for kombu itself. Kombu tea may also have added flavors depending on what you buy, so ensure it’s pure kombu with no additional flavors added. 

Wakame vs Kombu

Wakame is a brown algae and similar to kombu. Wakame doesn’t have the same flavor and can be briny and sweet, while kombu is briny and mushroom like. 

The texture of kombu can vary depending on the type of kombu it is, not all kelps are alike. Meanwhile the texture of wakame is usually tender and a little crunchy.

Is Kombu Vegan?

Kombu is an edible seaweed with no animal derivatives, making it vegan. However, common dishes that use kombu such as dashi may not be vegan as they can contain fish.

Prosciutto, a delicious cured ham that goes great as an appetizer or as an addition to any other meal. It’s a savory delight filled with flavor and offers so much more than just being a side to cheese. Regardless if it’s prosciutto crudo or prosciutto cotto, this thinly sliced piece of meat is a tasty treat. 

But, what if you’re out of prosciutto and need it for a dish? Well there are some substitutes that might not be an exact match for prosciutto, but do a fairly good job as a replacement. 

Prosciutto Substitutes – Alternatives

There are plenty of options that can replace prosciutto! These are the best 9 best options that are the closest matches for taste.

Pancetta

There are differences between pancetta and prosciutto. While both meats come from a pig, prosciutto comes from the hind leg while pancetta comes from the belly. The preparation of pancetta is also different and cannot be eaten raw since it’s only cured. Despite these differences, both pancetta and prosciutto have similar tastes and pancetta makes for a great prosciutto substitute. 

Jamón Serrano

Jamón Serrano is essentially the same as prosciutto but it’s Spanish equivalent. This meat makes for an excellent replacement to prosciutto as it comes from the same areas of the pig as prosciutto. There are some main differences between these two delectable meats, one being that Jamón Serrano is usually cured for different lengths of time, from as short as 6 months to as long as 18 months. These differences in curing time means, Jamón Serrano will be slightly dryer and have a much stronger flavor unless the prosciutto you have has been cured longer. 

Salami

Both Salami and Prosciutto are Salumi, or Italian meats that are salted, cured, and preserved. They both use similar methods of curing but may be processed differently for serving, but the tastes of cured meat are still there making it a great substitute for prosciutto.

Culatello

Culatello is a very specific Italian meat in not just how it’s made, but where it comes from. Proper culatello only comes from curing the rear muscle of the haunch of pigs in the province of Parma and is raised and butchered in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna. Because of it’s incredibly specific origin, it does come with a hefty price tag compared to other Italian salumi. Regardless, it still makes a great replacement for prosciutto. 

Bacon

While prosciutto can be cured at lengths of 24 months sometimes, bacon is only cured for a week before being smoked. Another difference is bacon must be cooked before eating, whereas prosciutto can be eaten without cooking. The tastes won’t be the exact same, especially if you have heavily smoked bacon, but bacon will work as an alternative for prosciutto in a clinch. 

Ham

Ham makes a good substitute for prosciutto as it comes from the hind leg of a pig just like prosciutto. Despite that being the main similarity and their curing times being very different, ham will still have a similar cured pork taste. 

Beef Bresaola

The name should give it away, but this cured meat doesn’t come from a pig. Beef bresaola comes from a cow but is an Italian cured meat that makes for a good replacement to prosciutto. The taste will be different as beef bresaola has a distinct taste, but if there’s nothing else available it will do just fine. 

Duck Prosciutto

Another great option for substituting prosciutto, duck prosciutto is another cured meat that requires a lot of time and preparation to make it right. While this meat is called duck prosciutto and can come from a duck, you’ll also find versions that come from geese. 

Toasted Almonds

This is an interesting alternative as it’s not even a meat. But, toasted almonds or even other toasted nuts can make a good vegan or vegetarian substitute for prosciutto in your recipes. They won’t have the exact flavor, but can come close enough if you have no meat to substitute. 

What is Prosciutto?

Prosciutto is Italian for “ham”, although that’s not all it is. There are two distinct types of prosciutto known as prosciutto crudo (raw cured ham) and prosciutto cotto (cooked ham). Like most things in the food industry, how the ham is cured or cooked will slightly alter it’s taste, but in general all prosciutto will be either cured or cooked ham. 

Common Prosciutto Questions

These are some other frequently asked questions regarding prosciutto that you might have as well!

Can Prosciutto Be Eaten Raw?

Yes, prosciutto can be eaten because of how it’s cured. The meat is salted and dried to the point of not allowing bacteria to enter or live in the meat. 

Kosher Substitute For Prosciutto

Duck is a kosher meat as long as it’s slaughtered by a shochet. Therefore, duck prosciutto will make as a great kosher substitute to normal prosciutto. 

What Meats Are Similar To Prosciutto?

Prosciutto is a salumi meat, the craft of preserving and salting cured meats. It will be similar to most of salumi meats to a degree, including Pancetta, Jamón Serrano, Salami, Culatello, and even Ham.

What Does Prosciutto Taste Like?

Prosciutto may taste different depending on how longs it’s cured or if it’s bean seasoned. The base taste tends to be a strong and flavorful salty meat with a hint of sweetness. 

What Does Prosciutto Smell Like?

Similar to it’s taste, you’ll be able to smell the salty sweetness of prosciutto in it’s aroma. Depending on how it is prepared, you may also smell any spices added. 

How Long Before Prosciutto Goes Bad?

Prepackaged prosciutto can last as long as 1 to 2 weeks after what is on it’s expiration label if it’s never been opened. However, opened and used prosciutto will only last another 2-4 days and should be consumed all within a short period of time. If it’s questionable or smells off, you shouldn’t risk eating it. 

What Can I Use Instead Of Prosciutto In Beef Wellington?

Prosciutto is one of the least important ingredients in beef wellington and can honestly be omitted. But if you dead set on using an alternative, deli ham or another thin sliced cured meat will work well as a substitute. 

Can You Fry Prosciutto

Prosciutto is delicious without any preparation but yes it can be fried to create a crispier treat! If it’s going to be fried, I recommend using an air fryer and limiting the temperature and time you fry it. 

What Makes Something Vegan Friendly?

A vegan diet tends to omit any animal products or foods that are produced using non-environmentally friendly methods. It’s similar to a vegetarian diet it some added restrictions. 

While the vegetarian diet is focused on eating plants only and omitting all animal products, veganism takes it a step further and avoids foods that may have been influenced or produced through questionable environmental means. An example of a vegan restriction versus vegetarian would be the Blue 1 food dye used in some foods. While it may be used in a vegetarian-friendly food, such as a soft drink containing no animal products, it won’t be vegan friendly since Blue 1 was tested on mice, rats, and dogs.

Those distinctions set veganism aside from vegetarianism, creating a stricter ruleset for those trying to limit their negative impact on animals. 

Are Welch’s Fruit Snacks Dairy Free?

Welch’s fruit snacks are made of a fruit puree and other ingredients that aren’t dairy. So, Welch’s fruit snacks are dairy-free but do contain some artificial flavors.

The full ingredient list found on their website for mixed fruit is Fruit puree (grape, peach, orange, strawberry, and raspberry), corn syrup, sugar, modified corn starch, gelatin, concord grape juice from concentrate, citric acid, lactic acid, natural and artificial flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), vitamin A palmitate, sodium citrate, coconut oil, carnauba wax, annatto (color), turmeric (color), red 40, and blue 1.

Are Welch’s Fruit Snacks Healthy?

Whether Welch’s fruit snacks are healthy or not has been heavily debated not just on the internet, but in court. While there was a lawsuit taking place regarding the packaging of Welch’s fruit snacks and their alleged lack of honesty regarding their ingredients, it was ruled in favor of Welch’s despite attempts to revive the lawsuit.

So obviously, what constitutes healthy is up for debate as we can’t be certain just how much fruit is in the fruit puree listed on the ingredients. 

They do contain a variety of added vitamins and don’t appear to be horrible. Many articles found concerning Welch’s and if they’re healthy, focus on how the labels are misleading. In reality, I don’t think anyone expects fruity gummy snacks to be something health nuts eat on the regular. 

So while Welch’s fruit snacks are the healthiest thing, there are much worse snacks on the market without the added vitamins.

Are Welch’s Fruit Snacks Vegetarian?

While Welch’s fruit snacks are made with a fruit puree and a variety of other vegetarian-friendly ingredients, Welch’s fruit snacks are NOT vegetarian. 

One of the ingredients in Welch’s fruit snacks is gelatin. Gelatin is derived from animals and boiling a variety of tissues and bones from those animals, making them very much not vegetarian. 

Are Welch’s Fruit Snacks Vegan?

I discussed in the last paragraph about Welch’s Fruit Snacks’ vegetarian status. Not everyone knows this, but anything that is not vegetarian friendly also isn’t vegan friendly. But, everything that isn’t vegan friendly, isn’t always non-vegetarian. That’s important to note here because Welch’s fruit snacks are NOT vegetarian-friendly or vegan friendly. 

The main reason Welch’s fruit snacks aren’t vegan is because of the gelatin content in the ingredients. Gelatin is derived from various sources of animal tissues and bones, making it a non-vegan ingredient. 

Whether Welch’s produces a vegan equivalent is not known, but I couldn’t find an alternative that was vegan friendly.

Is Welch’s Fruit Snacks Gluten-Free?

Welch’s fruit snacks are gluten-free and are labeled as such on the packaging. While I haven’t found a Welch’s fruit snack flavor that isn’t gluten-free, future flavors might be and you should check the labels whenever trying a new flavor. 

Potatoes are a great addition to any meal, no matter the form they’re prepared in. From mashed potatoes to potato salad, this is a vegetable that is welcome on most plates as a side and boiled potatoes are no exception. 

Since boiled potatoes make such an amazing side dish, it’s common to cook them and have left overs. You might even be meal prepping and have some delicious boiled potatoes as one of the sides! In either of those scenarios or other situations, knowing how to properly reheat boiled potatoes will make your meals much more enjoyable. No one wants to reheat their meal and it be too soggy or dried up!

Reheating Boiled Potatoes – The Best Method

Depending on how your potatoes are regarding moisture and size, you might prefer a different method of reheating. The following methods are just a few options and the one you choose will depend on your situation. 

1. Microwave
2. Oven
3. Air Fryer
4. Steaming

Each method will provide a slightly different outcome. The method I prefer and recommend is to simply microwave, but with some changes to how you do it. Microwaving will be the fastest and most convenient option, but can dry out your food if you just throw it in and press start.

I recommend getting a cover for your plate or container you’re keeping the boiled potatoes in while it microwaves. Since your food will be covered, a lot of the steam released from the potatoes will be captured and stay on your food. Another added benefit is a cover will stop your food from splattering during heating.

If you’re interested in the other heating methods, they are talked about below. 

How To Boil Potatoes

Before you can reheat boiled potatoes, you have to first boil them! Thankfully, boiling potatoes is a very simple process and even an amateur cook can do it!

The steps to boiling potatoes are:

1. Rinse and scrub the potatoes – before starting, it’s best to properly clean the potatoes of any grime or crud on their surface. I recommend doing this with any vegetable or fruit you eat. 
2. Peel potatoes (optional) – If you’re not a fan of the skin of potatoes, then now would be the time to peel them! You can boil potatoes with the skin on though if you don’t mind it.
3. Cut potatoes into 1.5-2 inch chunks – To make sure the potatoes boil evenly through, cutting them into 2 inch chunks ensures they cook thoroughly while not overcooking the outside or undercooking the inside. 
4. Put potato chunks into pot filled with water – The water should cover the potato chunks with 1 inch of water above the potatoes. 
5. BOIL! – Now over medium heat, boil your potatoes until they reach your desired consistency. The time will vary from as little as 10 minutes to more than 20 minutes depending on the potato and size of the chunks. 

That’s it! You’ll have some delicious boiled potatoes ready to eat or be reheated later on!

Other Ways To Reheat Boiled Potatoes

There are other ways to reheat boiled potatoes besides just a microwave and they also provide great tasting results (if done correctly). 

The first option besides a microwave is to use an oven. Preheat your oven to 300F and lightly cover the potatoes with butter. Place your potatoes on a baking tray covered with foil and place in the oven for 12-15 minutes. 

Another alternative to reheating boiled potatoes, is to use an air fryer. This option is faster than using an oven and will also offer great tasting reheated potatoes. Similar to using an oven, preheat your air fryer to 300F and follow the same steps except only allowing to cook 5-7 minutes. 

The final option that works great for reheating potatoes, is to steam them! Using any steamer and steaming until they are reheated to your desired temperature is all you have to do!

What To Eat With Boiled Potatoes

There are tons of great options to eat with reheated boiled potatoes! Pretty much most meats will go great as a main dish such as steak, chicken, or even fish. 

The great part of having potatoes in a meal is that the spices and flavors can be tailored to match that of your main dish. 

Are Cocoa Pebbles Dairy Free?

Cocoa Pebbles are dairy free as they don’t contain any milk or dairy products in their production. Obviously, most people eat cereal with milk in it, at which point it will no longer be dairy free. If you’re concerned about other possible ingredients, read below for what cocoa pebbles are made of. 

Are Cocoa Pebbles Healthy?

According to fooducate.com, cocoa pebbles don’t score to great on how healthy they are. 

There are a few reasons why cocoa pebbles are considered the healthiest choice compared to other cereals. One reason is the amount of sugar added per serving. For a single 30g (0.75 cup) serving of cocoa pebbles, there are 10 grams of sugar. These sugars aren’t just what’s listed on the label though, as there are other sugars added during it’s processing.

That brings us to the next point, it is a highly processed cereal. A lot of the processing will add to the cereals shelf life, but does come with some dietary cost. 

What Are Cocoa Pebbles Made Of?

According to the package, cocoa pebbles are made with rice, sugar, canola oil, cocoa (processed with alkali), salt, caramel color, natural and artificial flavor, and BHT to preserve freshness. 

Are Cocoa Pebbles Low FODMAP?

Cocoa pebbles are thought to be low FODMAP as the ingredients listed are all considered low FODMAP. If you’re unsure if they are causing issues in your diet, then please speak to a dietician or your doctor concerning whether or not cocoa pebbles can be eaten on your diet. 

Summary

Cocoa pebbles are dairy free and contain no dairy related products in it’s raw form. Despite that, they aren’t considered the healthiest cereal and there are much healthier options for dairy free cereal on the market. 

Stone Cookware Pros And Cons

Stone cookware comes with numerous pros and only a few cons. While there may be better cookware for specific recipes, stone cookware in general is a great addition to any kitchen!

Despite what some might think, stone cookware isn’t made entirely out of a piece of rock. The core material of all non-stick stone cookware is a metal, usually stainless steel or aluminum. On the outside of the metal is the stone coating where stone cookware gets it’s name. The stones chosen for pots, pans, and other cooking gear can vary from granite, marble, and sometimes porcelain. 

These stone coatings are usually non-stick and non-reactive with any foods cooked on them. 

Not every piece of stone cookware is created equal though, including the differences between the different kinds of metal interiors.

Further down in the article are some great examples of the best stone cookware! 

The Pros Of Stone Cookware

There are plenty of pros for stone cookware and their many uses in the kitchen. Below are some of the most important things to consider when getting stone cookware and why they are great to have. 

No Harmful Chemicals

While cheaper nonstick pans contain a variety of chemicals that coat the pans, stone cookware does not! No lead, nickel, or zinc, are going to be exposed to your food, just plain rock dust. 

Because of the lack of chemicals, you don’t have to worry about the same problems you might experience from other cookware. For example, other nonstick coated pans contain chemicals such as POFA, which is known to cause health issues such as reproduction issues, kidney diseases, and more. 

Great Heat Distribution

If you find a piece of stone cookware with an aluminum base, it’ll distribute heat evenly across the pan. If you’ve ever cooked with a non-uniformly heated pan, you know the importance of having the heat evenly spread out across the cooking surface. 

Scratch Resistant

Most non-stick pans scratch easily and will have marks running up and down the surface after only a few uses. 

Stone cookware isn’t the same and will resist scratching, holding up much better than the conventional non-stick pans. Obviously, if you try to scratch the surface and vigorously scrub the cookware, it will eventually develop abrasions in the pan, pot, or whatever you’re cooking on. 

Very Durable 

Stone doesn’t rust and no coatings will be flaking off the surface, making stone cookware much more durable than alternative cookware. 

Easy Cleaning

Stone cookware is very easy to clean and maintain. Unless specified by the manufacturer, stone cookware will be dishwasher safe, adding to ease of cleaning. Even if you don’t have a dishwasher, cleaning with a non-toxic dish soap and a soft scrubber will more than do the trick. 

The Cons Of Stone Cookware

There are plenty of pros and good reasons to invest in some stone cookware, but there are also some cons to be aware of when buying.

Costly

The price tends to be higher compared to similar sized non-stick or ceramic cookware. It’s no surprise considering the quality you get from stone, but it is still something to keep in mind when shopping. 

Troubles With High Heat

Basically everything you’ll cook on a stove top will be fine, but you should be cautious about using stone cookware above 400F. The higher temperatures compromise the durability and unless rated for high temperatures by the manufacturer, I would avoid using above medium-high temps. 

Best Stone Cookware

There are plenty of options for stone cookware on the market, but these are some of the better options that won’t let you down. 

Granite Hammered Pan Set 12 Piece, Dishwasher Safe Cooking Pots and Pans Set

A set of granite cookware that works on a variety of stove tops, from electric to gas. It also comes with an aluminum core, the perfect metal for even heat distribution!

Toxic free, all pans and pots are free of PFOA and lead! In my opinion, all cookware you use should be free of these chemicals as it’s not worth the health risks to use them. 

On top of everything else, this cookware set is stick free and requires a lot less cooking oil to avoid scrapping food residue off your pans.

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MICHELANGELO Pots and Pans Set, Stone Cookware Set 12 Piece

Another great stone cookware set, the Michelangelo comes with a 12 piece set of pots and pans similar to the last one. However, this set is slightly cheaper with some other differences. This set is also 100% PFOA free, lead free, and cadmium free, making it a great option for those who are health conscious.

In addition to being chemical free, the pans are non-stick and require less cooking oil to avoid and sticking. No hot spots will occur either as these pans are made with an aluminum alloy at their center, which is a great metal for even heat dispersion.  

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Granitestone 20 Pcs Pots and Pans Set

This stone cookware set has more pieces and options for cooking with similar specs. 

All pieces are non-stick, toxic free, and easy to clean! The main difference between this set is that it includes stone bake ware in addition to the pots and pans. There are options for smaller piece sets if you don’t want all 20 as well. 

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Stone Cookware Dangers?

Thankfully there aren’t the same dangers with stone cookware that there are with others. Stone cookware is safe as long as no chemical coatings such as PFOA have been applied to the cookware. This safety is part of the appeal it has for most people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

How To Clean Stone Cookware

Most stone cookware you’ll buy will be dishwasher safe and help in cleaning. That being said, stone cookware can be easily cleaned with soap and water using a nylon brush or most sponges. 

A deep cleaning requires a bit more effort and requires cleaning with baking soda to get a thorough clean. 

Is Pho Keto Friendly?

Pho, like many recipes, has been adapted overtime and has plenty of variations depending on who is cooking it. Despite the variety, there are still some base ingredients and methods used in most recipes. 

Going by the most widely used recipes, Pho is NOT keto friendly! While the broth may be keto depending on the ingredients (not if a lot of sugar is added), the rice noodles are not keto friendly!

What Is Pho?

Pho, a Vietnamese soup that has become a very popular dish all over the world. The soup usually contains bone broth, rice noodles, meat, and spices. 

There are a few different ways to eat Pho, in fact one of the qualities that make it so enjoyable is that you can tailor it to your tastes by adding extra spices. It’s a dish that can taste great on it’s own or be suited to each specific individual. 

Most commonly, Pho is served with beef as it’s meat, but it can be served with chicken or any other meat. 

Is Pho Spicy?

The ingredients and spices used in Pho aren’t meant to be overly flavorful or aromatic. One of the great things about Pho as a dish is that it can be flavored how you like it. Since the spices chosen are added after it’s cooked, Pho isn’t inherently spicy. If you prefer it to be a spicy dish, then you’ll have to add in any spices after it’s served.

Is Pho Healthy?

Pho is packed full of different nutrients and despite there being some unhealthy aspects, Pho is a fairly healthy meal. The meal is low calories considering how filling and packed it is and there is also a sizeable amount of protein. 

On top of being a hearty meal, Pho is gluten free, making it an available healthy soup for anyone with celiac. While it lacks ingredients making it gluten free, it has numerous other ingredients that make it a healthy choice. Ginger for example is an important ingredient in Pho that does a lot to help digestion and is an anti-inflammatory. 

We can’t talk about the upsides of Pho without mentioning the downsides as well. Sadly, Pho can contain quite a bit of sodium depending on how it’s prepared. In addition to high sodium, there are also a lot of carbs in most Pho soups. 

How Do You Pronounce Pho?

Pho is pronounced as “fuh“. The pronunciation isn’t that hard to get used to as it’s similar to how the first part of photography is pronounced. 

Is Pho Gluten Free?

The majority of Pho recipes you’ll find are gluten free! The ingredients for Pho such as beef, broth, rice noodles, and herbs are all gluten free. Be cautious of additions and condiments that might not be gluten free though! Some Pho soups are served with bread, which won’t be gluten free unless it’s made specifically to be gluten free. 

Is Pho Low FODMAP?

Pho is absolutely high FODMAP and should be avoided if you’re on a low FODMAP diet. The white onions used in the broth make it a high FODMAP meal and even though the onions are removed from the broth before serving, the FODMAPS in the onions are water soluble and will still be present in the broth.