Baking soda, food-grade
Food-grade baking soda is a fine white powder used in small measured amounts in cooking. In mesciua, a little is added to the soaking water for the dried legumes.
- On the label
- Bicarbonato di sodio, intended for food use.
- In the recipe
- A small amount goes into the soaking water, which is discarded before cooking.
Measure before soaking
Use the amount in the recipe rather than adding an unmeasured spoonful. Dissolve it in the soaking water, then drain and rinse the legumes before cooking them in fresh water.
A small pantry addition
In Italian recipes, bicarbonato can appear among the ingredients for preparing dried legumes. It is a supporting pantry ingredient, measured separately from the salt used to season the finished dish.
Let the legumes lead
For mesciua, baking soda belongs to the preparation stage. The finished bowls are dressed with olive oil and black pepper, not sprinkled with the powder.
Cook with it
Choose the exact ingredient
Buy bicarbonato di sodio labeled for food use. A blended raising agent is a different ingredient; use the product named in the recipe.
Keep it closed and dry
Keep it in its original, well-closed package in a dry place. Follow the label’s storage directions and date, and measure it with a dry utensil.
