Megan Shoop-Volz
Expertise
Culinary History & Traditions, Holistic Nutrition & Wellness, Mocktails & Zero Proof Beverages
- Megan has resided in rural Pennsylvania for much of her life, gaining hands-on experience building sustainable, zero-waste cooking habits.
- At her mother and grandmother's side, she learned the basics of canning, freezing, and pickling, how to turn kitchen scraps into delicious soups and broths, and that good herbs and spices can make the simplest dish feel gourmet.
- She has written for Spirituality & Health Magazine since 2020, exploring how to use everyday foods to soothe anxiety, improve skin health, and recover after a workout.
Experience
Megan began working as a professional writer for eHow.com in 2009. There, she covered a wide array of topics while always gravitating toward pieces focused on food, whether that meant developing creative new ways to decorate sugar cookies or learning to grow strawberries upside-down. Raised by a historian, her passion for history and culture started when she was very young. Her father taught her to be curious and never stop learning, a lesson she's applied throughout her life. When she's not stocking her kitchen with homemade pesto or attempting to recreate a cheesecake recipe from 160 B.C.E., you can find her creating art, snuggling with her cat, or enjoying a leisurely brunch with her wife.
Education
Megan has a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lycoming College.
Tasting Table’s editorial coverage hails from a veteran group of writers and editors with expertise in their respective fields in the food and drink, hospitality, and agriculture industries. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information and original recipes.
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Stories By Megan Shoop-Volz
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Broccoli is a nutrient powerhouse and a great side dish, as well as being the star of many salads and soups. Find out the perfect broccoli boiling time here.
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Your coffee can taste a bit different depending on whether you brew it with a percolator or a moka pot. Here are the pros and cons they bring to your brew.
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Different states are known for their signature dishes, so what's the deal with Oklahoma-style chili? Here's what to know about the Southwest staple.
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Back in Victorian England, etiquette and manners were of utmost importance, and with them came specialized cutlery like the ice cream fork.
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While classic peach cobblers are omnipresent from May to August, September carries cravings for seasonal treats like baked sweet potatoes.
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Whether used to top biscuits or smother a chicken-fried steak, gravy can really hit the spot, but do you know what distinguishes the different types of gravy?
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If you live in an urban area, seeing the caps on Coca-Cola bottles switch from red to yellow might be your first indication of spring.
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What's the trick to cutting a block of cheese into even slices? It's all down to using the right tool for the job in a unique -- and easy -- way.
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Feeling bored with your bowl of plain old vanilla ice cream? Head to your spice rack for flavorful inspiration in the form of everything bagel seasoning.
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Pancakes don't have to be sweet, and savory pancakes don't have to be boring. Instead, you can stuff pancakes with breakfast hash for an all-in-one bite meal
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You can make a case for serving grilled cheese at celebrations and gatherings, especially if you give them a savory upgrade with herby Boursin cheese.
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With three basic ingredients and no specialized equipment, our super-simple ice cream recipe starts with a base of homemade whipped cream.
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Doing this helps keep fish fresh longer, adds a layer of seasoning, and helps it retain moisture during the cooking.
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If you're looking to add some zing to your weekly salmon bake or fish taco Tuesday, we suggest literally spicing things up with this tangy sauce.
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When using an Instant Pot to make yogurt, you can set the Instant Pot to hold a specific temperature for long periods of time.
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The toughness or tenderness of a meat cut is not solely based on personal taste. In the 1920s and '30s scientists got involved to standardize things.
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There's no need to boil pasta or hand whisk bechamel sauce. Simply add your ingredients to the rice cooker to get homemade mac 'n cheese in 30 minutes.
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Sometimes we want a chunky guacamole, but more often than not we're going for smooth and creamy when it comes to dips - that's where this handy tools comes in.
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Your next peanut butter and jelly sandwich can be so much more than the usual in regard to flavor as well as texture with this simple addition.