Laura C. Allan
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lcallan.bsky.social
Laura C. Allan
@lcallan.bsky.social
I am a food writer and home cook currently working for The Takeout, as well as an avid San Jose Sharks fan and lover of all things fiction.
Read my work HERE: https://www.thetakeout.com/author/lauraallan/
That's right! It's not YOUR fault that you hate beets! It's written into your genes!
...maybe.
Honestly I've tested this a bit with my husband. If I use enough garlic that he can't SMELL the beets, he really likes them. Take that anecdotal truth as you like.

#foodscience #beets #genetics #foodsky
According to science, some people are sensitive to the smells of geosmin and 2-ethylfenchol, which are present in beets, making them taste like dirt.
If You Hate Beets, You Can Probably Blame Your Genetics - The Takeout
www.thetakeout.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Hey, so, I'm going to be in a cooking competition this weekend in the middle of the Mojave Desert. That's terrifying.
Wish me luck!
November 10, 2025 at 8:21 PM
It's a classic chicken or the egg scenario! This one, however, has a very likely correct answer. Also, the original martini predecessor sounds... interesting.

#foodsky #martini #foodhistory #alcohol #cocktails #martiniolive #twistoflemon
October 30, 2025 at 8:14 PM
How do you prefer your tequila? As for me, I really dig the smoothness of the Añejo. There are more than these three types, by the way, so shoutout to everyone who prefers cristalino tequila.

#tequila #foodsky #liquor #reposado #plata #cristalino #anejo
October 30, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Yes! I like green bananas!

Not like... super green, to the point where they give me a tummy ache. But I prefer my bananas with a distinctly green tint, and that's actually a somewhat healthy decision.

How do you like YOUR bananas?

#foodhacks #foodscience #bananas #green #yellow #healthyeating
October 29, 2025 at 4:41 PM
If your cutting board smells you either gotta get that sucker clean or toss it and get a new one. But getting the smell out can be hard, and it's not like you can throw it in the dishwasher. Well, there's a much better way.

#kitchenhacks #foodsky #cuttingboard #odor #lemon #cleaninghacks #diy
October 29, 2025 at 3:57 PM
This is kind of a lovely story. For those who remember Snow Jam '82, you probably already know about this. The rest of you, however, may want to learn how LongHorn Steakhouse not only used some brainy marketing but also helped a whole community.

#longhorn #steakhouse #foodsky #foodhistory #snowjam
October 28, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Want to impress your date? Trust me, this is pretty easy to do, tastes great, and looks pro. Just... don't let your date ask you to spell "prosciutto" from memory. I think I had to use spellcheck EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. While writing this...

#cookinghacks #foodsky #asparagus #datenight #prosciutto
October 28, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Anyone remember watermelon Laffy Taffy when it used to have candy seeds? Man those just hit different, I still miss them.

We now know why they were discontinued, but I'll always hope they make a comeback someday, even if it's limited edition.

#foodsky #laffytaffy #Ferrara #candy #watermelon #seeds
October 27, 2025 at 9:43 PM
It's just science, guys...it's actually "good"for me this way! Lol.

One thing I didn't add to this article is that before my wedding I jokingly did a beer, pizza, and hockey-playing diet. I lost 18 lbs in 4 months to fit into grandma's wedding dress. Coincidence? XD

#beer #pizza #science #foodsky
October 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM
During Covid, did YOU order from a place called Pasqually's Pizza and Wings? Well, I hate to break it for ya, but you were ACTUALLY eating food from Chuck E. Cheese's!

YES REALLY.

#foodsky #chuckecheese #pasquallys #pizza #wings #covid
#ghostkitchen #delivery #foodhistory #restaurants
October 25, 2025 at 11:01 PM
What do you think? Would you try this technique or is it too fancy for you?

#kitchenhacks #gordonramsay #foodsky #burgers
October 25, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Did you know that Little Caesar's Pizza did NOT say "Pizza Pizza!" in Canada?

Well, now you do! The reason why is... not terribly shocking, but their alternative slogans for the great white north locations were suuuuper lame.

#foodsky #pizza #littlecaesars #pizzapizza #foodhistory #restaurants
October 25, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Short answer: Yes, it's probably fine.

Longer answer: Most brown spots on potatoes are in no way harmful or dangerous, but they may change the flavor and texture unpleasantly. So, you may want to remove them anyway.

#foodsky #foodhacks #foodsafety #bakedpotatoes #potato
October 23, 2025 at 10:19 PM
PSA: OLIVE OIL CAN AND WILL GO BAD.

It'll happen sooner than you think, too. Luckily, it's pretty easy to tell when it's going off.

#oliveoil #foodsky #cookingtips #spoilage #expirationdates
October 23, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Ever wanted to just like... mash a cake into a fine paste with your bare hands? Ever wanted to go IN on some raw ground beef, salmonella be damned?

WELL. This lets you do BOTH of those things! lol

Seriously though, it looks suuuuper realistic.

#foodhacks #foodsky #redvelvetcake #halloween #spooky
October 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I admit, I feel some sort of... bafflement when I see someone put raw chicken directly into their cart. No bag, nothing. Just... raw-doggin' the chicken right on top of their veggies.

I've been so well trained by my upbringing on this, I cannot imagine not begging it!

#foodsky #foodsafety #chicken
October 22, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by Laura C. Allan
This Baking Pan Is Exactly What You Need To Make Nachos For A Crowd
This Baking Pan Is Exactly What You Need To Make Nachos For A Crowd
While most people make nachos on a flat sheet pan, there's a better way to make this appetizer. Try assembling your nachos in a surprising baking pan instead.
www.thetakeout.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Scratched dishes are kinda unavoidable, especially if they're light-colored. However, there's actually a way to make them look better, and you might have what you need in your kitchen right now.

#foodsky #kitchenhacks #scratches #plates #lemon
October 21, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Add a carrot or potato to your oil during deep frying to help keep blackened bits off your food. Yes, really! This method has been used for literally hundreds of years, so don't knock it until you try it.

#foodhacks #foodsky #deepfrying #tempura #hotoil #cookinghacks #carrots
October 20, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I bet you thought that the first BBQ meat of the United States was mostly beef and chicken, right?
Not so!
Would you believe that GOAT was one of the earliest BBQ offerings? So... why don't we see it on menus anymore?

#foodsky #bbq #goat #foodhistory #ribs
October 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Alright, cue the arguing! lol
I'll die on this hill if I really must. Sourdough bread (and I mean GOOD sourdough, not the vinegar white bread sourfaux) is the best for grilled cheese. It just is.

#foodsky #grilledcheese #opinions #sourdough #cheese #foodhacks
October 17, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Halloween has been around in some form for hundreds of years, but candy being part of it is really only about a 100 year old tradition. Before that, it was all about the apples, baby!

Also it is my birthday today. :)

#halloween #october #candy #apples #foodhistory #traditions #foodsky
October 16, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Big news for bacon lovers! lol. Hot honey really is the food of the moment, and Smithfield's caught onto that at just the right time.

Buuuuut if you'd rather make your own hot honey bacon...

#bacon #foodsky #smithfields #mikeshothoney #hothoney #sweetandsavory
October 16, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Sometimes, life is a jerk, the world is on fire and sucks, and I feel helpless and sad. Then I remember I am capable of making bananas foster, and then I feel a little more ok again. :)

#foodporn #foodsky #bananasfoster #banana #icecream #homecooking
October 15, 2025 at 7:51 PM