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What exactly is a manufacturing code, and how do I read it?

What exactly is a "Best If Used By" date, and how do I read it?

Is it still safe to use product after the "Best If Used By" date?

What's the difference between white and yellow corn meal?

Which varieties of apples are best for baking?

How do I season an iron skillet to keep food from sticking?

Why do my cookies and biscuits brown too much on the bottom?

What does "cut in" mean in a recipe?

What does "bolted" mean on flour packages?

I have an old recipe that calls for "sweet milk." What is that?

When a recipe says to caramelize onions, what do I do?

How can I keep over-ripe bananas for baking if I can't get to it right away?

Dried fruits are difficult for me to chop. Is there any easy way?

What's the difference between batter and breading for fish?

How long can I keep...?

Do you have the recipe for....?

Is Martha White a real person?

When did Martha White begin sponsoring the Grand Ole Opry?

Can All-Purpose Flour be substituted for Self-Rising Flour in recipes?

What exactly is a manufacturing code, and how do I read it?
The manufacturing code is the date the product was made. It might look something like this: 4 122 420 0321.

The first number represents the year it was made. For instance, the 4 in our example code means it was made in 2004. A number 3 would mean it was made in 2003, 2 in 2002, and so on.
The next three numbers represent the day of the year the product was made. In our example, the 122 (or one hundred and twenty second day) is May 2 (May 3 during Leap Year).
The third set of numbers or letters are plant codes which have nothing to do with the date.
Finally, the last four digits represent the time displayed in military time.

What exactly is a "Best If Used By" date, and how do I read it?
A "Best If Used By" date code may appear on your product. This future date from the original date of manufacture represents the day that the product is guaranteed fresh. It might look something like this: APR 04 2007. The date code represents the Month, Date, and Year.

Is it still safe to use product after the "Best If Used By" date?
Yes, the products are still safe to consume but some consumers may detect changes in product flavor, volume or texture after this date.

What's the difference between white and yellow corn meal?
The only difference between white and yellow corn meal is the color of corn used when it was ground. White corn meal is ground white corn, and yellow corn meal starts with yellow corn. They are interchangeable in recipes. Historically, white corn meal is preferred in the South and yellow in Texas and the rest of the U.S.

Which varieties of apples are best for baking?
The best apples for baking are the ones that hold their shape and don't turn to mush when heated. An easy rule of thumb is to think green. Two of the most widely available cooking apples have green skin: Golden Delicious and Granny Smith. Ideal for all kinds of baking, Granny Smith apples have a crisp tart flavor and Golden Delicious have a more floral taste. Rome Beauty, available in the fall, is a red variety that is also good for baking.

How do I season an iron skillet to keep food from sticking?
An iron skillet will never wear out, but you need to treat it right by "seasoning" it which prevents rust and keeps food from sticking. To season iron cookware, rub it (inside and out) with vegetable oil or shortening. Place it in a 350 degree F. oven for one hour. Remove from the oven and wipe off the excess oil with a paper towel. To maintain the finish, clean cast iron using only hot water and a good stiff brush (never harsh detergents) and never wash it in the dishwasher. You may need to re-season it periodically. A well-seasoned skillet is a must for making crisp cornbread recipes.

Why do my cookies and biscuits brown too much on the bottom?
Sometimes cookies and biscuits will over-brown on the bottom because the oven temperature is too high. It's a good idea to check your oven calibration with an oven thermometer to verify the temperature. Over-browning also occurs when dark baking pans, which absorb heat, are used. It's best to bake cookies, quick breads and biscuits on shiny pans to prevent burning on the bottom.

What does "cut in" mean in a recipe?
"Cut in" means to distribute small chunks of a solid fat (butter or shortening) into flour before adding the liquid (usually milk or water). You do this using a pastry blender or two knives in a crisscross cutting motion. This technique is used when baking biscuits or pastry so they are tender and flaky. When the dough is baked, the fat melts in pockets which produces the flaky layers. You can recreate the flaky biscuits available at fast-food restaurants by leaving the fat in larger pea-size chunks.

What does "bolted" mean on flour packages?
Bolted means that it is sifted through a fine sieve or screen.

I have an old recipe that calls for "sweet milk." What is that?
Sweet milk is simply fresh milk, not buttermilk. It's an old-fashioned Southern term commonly used to distinguish between the two in the days before refrigeration, when people churned their own butter and always had buttermilk on hand. Sometimes, it's preferable to bake using "sweet" milk when there are other strongly flavored ingredients, such as sharp Cheddar cheese.

When a recipe says to caramelize onions, what do I do?
Caramelize onions by cooking them until they are deep golden brown in color and have a sweet, nutty flavor. You need to cook the sugar that is present in the onion until it turns brown, or "caramelizes." The object isn't to burn them, but to brown them slowly. To do this, cook the onions in butter or oil over low heat for at least 15 minutes. The sweet onions will add new depth and style to many recipes, even traditional southern cornbread.

How can I keep over-ripe bananas for baking if I can't get to it right away?
Over-ripe bananas are great for baking because they have lots of sweet flavor and a soft texture. You can easily keep them on hand in the freezer. Simply take the bananas out of their skins and seal them in a plastic bag and place in the freezer. They'll keep for months. Then, whenever you want to make your favorite banana bread all you have to do is defrost as many as you need, mash them, and proceed with your recipe.

Dried fruits are difficult for me to chop. Is there any easy way?
Cutting dried fruits with a knife is difficult because the fruits are so sticky. In the Martha White Kitchen, we find that kitchen shears come in handy for this task. It's easier to snip the fruit into uniform pieces because the scissors' motion keeps the fruit from sticking. Periodically dip the scissors' blades in water while snipping the fruit. Bits of dried fruits add lots of flavor to baked goods like muffins and quick breads.

What's the difference between batter and breading for fish?
Batters are liquid mixtures of flour, eggs and milk or water. Breadings are dry ingredients used to coat fish such as cracker crumbs, bread crumbs, flour or corn meal. Usually the fish is dipped into an egg mixture and then into the dry mixture. Batters tend to result in a thicker, breadier coating after the fish is fried. Corn meal breading is the favorite way to prepare Southern favorites like catfish and crappie.

How long can I keep...?
For best quality, we recommend storing Martha White products in a cool dry place and using them within the stated guidelines below. However, there are no safety concerns using products beyond the recommended shelf life.

PRODUCT CATEGORY	RECOMMENDED SHELF LIFE
Corn meal mixes (includes self-rising) Regular corn meal	8 months
Quick and regular grits All flour except whole wheat Hush Puppy mix Pancake mix Pizza crust mix Pound cake mix	12 months
Corn muffin mix Brownies Pouch muffins, except corn Shortening	18 months

Do you have the recipe for....?
Many requests are received each year for recipes using Martha White products. Some of the most requested recipes are included in our recipes section.

Is Martha White a real person?
Yes, she is! In 1899, Royal Flour Mill owner Richard Lindsey named his finest flour after his then three-year-old daughter, Martha White. Since that time, Martha White has consistently provided home bakers with quality baking ingredients, mixes and a wealth of baking tips and recipe information.

When did Martha White begin sponsoring the Grand Ole Opry?
Martha White has long been closely aligned with country music, first sponsoring the Grand Ole Opry in 1948. Today, Martha White is the show's longest-running sponsor.

Can All-Purpose Flour be substituted for Self-Rising Flour in recipes?
If a recipe calls for Self-Rising Flour, add 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt for every cup of All-Purpose Flour substituted in the recipe. We do not recommend using Self-Rising in place of All Purpose Flour because it will result in a very salty, strong baking powder taste.