TO OBTAIN THE RESOURCE / PERFORM THE PROCESS(or already did so) / POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES / PREFERENCES; REQUIREMENTS; WHATGAVE BESTRESULTS / OTHER NOTES (utility / function / purpose / benefits / advantages / other significance)
102 / Powdered unicorn horn / We looked along a nearby unicorn trail to find a cast-off unicorn horn. We ground the horn with a grinding wheel. / We could have ground the unicorn horn with a hand file, a vegetable grater, etc. / We had good results when we ground the unicorn horn to powder size F100 (FEPA). / We think that an enzyme in the unicorn horn breaks down potato proteins, speeding the baking process
104 / Vinegar / We bought white vinegar at a nearby grocery store. / We think that red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, etc., would work just as well (but might add different flavors). / We prefer white vinegar because it is flavor-neutral. / The vinegar's acetic acid appears to activate an enzyme in the unicorn horn 102.
106 / Black pepper / One of us brought black pepper from home. / Red pepper might work, but we have not tried that. / We had best results with a 2:1 ratio of powdered unicorn horn to pepper. Using too much unicorn horn (more than 3:1) seems to make the mixture lumpy. / We think that the piperine compound in the black pepper somehow reacts with the vinegar-activated enzyme in the unicorn horn102.
Red pepper contains capsaicin, but it might also work because of chemical similarities.
108 / Mix / We combined the vinegar 104 and the pepper 106 in a small bowl and mixed it using a whisk. / We could have mixed the ingredients with a hand- or bowl mixer.
109 / Slurry
110 / Dry / We let the unicorn-horn / vinegar mixture dry overnight at room temperature. / The mixture could also be heat-dried. / The temperature of the mixture should not be allowed to exceed 140°F to avoid denaturing the unicorn-horn enzyme.
112 / Spice rub / Per above. / Other spices can be added to the rub, to taste.
114 / Potato (raw) / We tested the spice rub 112 with potatoes, which we bought at a nearby grocery store. / We expect that the spice rub will work with yams and sweet potatoes as well. / The powdered unicorn horn 102 appears to work only on tubers.
We prefer russet potatoes for baking, but that is a matter of taste.
116 / Rub / We hand-rubbed the spice rub 112 into the skin of the potato 114. / See also the Wikipedia entry for other rubbing techniques. / Be careful not to break the skin of the potato.
118 / Bake / Baking potatoes is a well-known cooking skill. / We believe that the potatoes (or other tubers) could alternatively be roasted, grilled, or boiled. / The spice rub reduces cooking time, thus increasing convenience and reducing energy usage.
120 / Serve / Serve with toppings as desired.
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