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On May 2, 2022, Czech strongman Lukáš Pepř shared a video of himself capturing a 193.4-kilogram (426.4-pound) log press during the 2022 LogLift Cup in Kladno, Czech Republic. The log lift is a new Czech National Record, surpassing Jirko Vytiska’s previous figure of 180-kilograms (396.8 pounds) by over 13 kilograms.

According to the Strongman Czech Republic Facebook page, Pepř actually broke the Czech log lift record on his first attempt of 183.5 kilograms (404.6 pounds). His eventual final lift of 193.4 kilograms (426.4 pounds) merely extended the distance between him and the next best athlete. The record log press helped give Pepř the overall win in the event and etched his name in the illustrious record books.

Check out Pepř’s record feat, courtesy of his Instagram profile:

 

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A post shared by Lukáš Pepř (@lukaspepr)

[Related: Weightlifter Eishiro Murakami (+109KG) Sets 3 National Records During 2022 All-Japan Championships]

Technically, Tomáš Sikora broke Vytiska’s record first by locking out a 181.4-kilogram (399.9-pound) log lift earlier in the competition. That means that Pepř techincally broke Sikora’s record.

For the record-breaking log lift, Pepř donned a lifting belt, wrist wraps, and knee sleeves. It might have been more significant considering that Pepř appeared to be dealing with some recent ailments and needed a significant win, per a translated caption of his Instagram post.

“This was something I really needed, and how everyone judges according to the video was even more,” Pepř wrote. “Log and pressures, in general, I did not train for three weeks due to extreme tendon pain and tightness in the hands. Hopefully, these days have run out.”

If breaking records in his home country is how Pepř comes back from an injury, more greatness might be in store soon enough. 

A full video of the 2022 LogLift Cup can be watched below — including Pepř’s Czech log lift National Record — via the YouTube channel of BeStrong:

[Related: What You Must Know to Build Strength]

Lukáš Pepř at a Glance

Pepř is only 22-years-old, yet he’s building up quite a solid profile to this stage. The Czech athlete started in professional strength sports as a powerlifter while competing in the superheavyweight division (+120-kilograms). He made his powerlifting debut during the 2016 Slovenská Asociása Silového Trojboja (SAST) Majstrovstvá Českej a Slovenskej Republiky v silovom trojboji, where he came in first, according to Open Powerlifting.

As a powerlifter, Pepř qualified for the podium in each of his four career sanctioned competitions, winning two of them outright while finishing as the runner-up twice. Most recently, aside from the 2022 LogLift Cup, he featured during the bench press-only 2020 Federace Ceskeho Silového Trojboje (FCST) Extrifit Cup in both the Teen & Junior and Open divisions  — where he came in first and second, respectively.

Whatever the future holds in store for Pepř, he’s undoubtedly preparing to open more eyes and break more records whenever he steps onto a lifting platform again.

Featured image: @lukaspepr on Instagram

The post Strongman and Powerlifter Lukáš Pepř Captures 193.4-Kilogram (426.4-Pound) Strict Log Lift for New Czech National Record appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Posture seems to be on everyone’s mind right now thanks to the uptick in work-from-home jobs, coupled with the fact that practically everyone has a mobile device to stare at. Cue my usual laments about the sedentary nature of the modern lifestyle. Not only do we sit too much and move too little, many folks alternate between hunching forward over a keyboard and looking down at a phone or tablet all day, every day.

The result? Widespread poor posture and growing concerns about what this means for public health. Forward head posture (aka “tech neck“), rounded shoulders, and slouched, rounded spines all contribute to:

• Soreness and pain throughout the body
• Muscular weaknesses and imbalances that lead to dysfunctional movement patterns
• Breathing issues
• Headaches and migraines

Poor posture also affects your mood and how you respond to stressful events. The field of embodied cognition examines how physical states affect thoughts, emotions, and memory. Slumping or slouching saps your energy, biases you towards negativity, and can even decrease self-esteem.^{1 2} People also respond to you better when you hold yourself upright.

As more people are talking about this problem, interest in posture correcting devices is increasing. The question at hand today is whether they work and if you might want to try one out for yourself.

Types of Posture Correctors

I’m focusing today on wearable devices intended to correct forward head posture, rounded shoulders, and slouching/rounding through the midback and lower back—devices that you can buy at any store. Pneumatic traction devices and doctor-prescribed orthopedic devices designed to correct scoliosis are separate topics.

These devices come in a few different varieties:

You’ve got cross-back braces, which are harnesses that wrap around the front of your shoulders like backpack straps and cross in between your shoulder blades. They can be made out of elastic tubing or more rigid fabrics. They’re designed to retract the shoulders and pull them more in line with the spine instead of rounding forward.

Posture bras look like a typical bra or sports bra, but they have a cross-back brace built into the fabric.

Longline posture braces look like cross-back braces at the top, but they extend all the way down the spine and connect to a lumbar belt that wraps around your waist and supports the lower back.

You can also buy a lumbar support belt separately, as well as neck braces meant to correct forward head posture.

The newest innovation on the scene for tech lovers is electronic posture devices that you strap on or stick to your back. The wearables vibrate when they sense slouching, prompting you to fix your posture. Some electronic devices connect to an app on your phone, allowing you to track posture throughout the day and see your progress.

Which one is best for you? It depends on:

• What you’re trying to fix, where you’re experiencing discomfort
• When and how you intend to wear it – over or under clothing, only while sitting at a desk or also while exercising and going about your day
• Fit and comfort
• Price point – posture correctors range from around 10 dollars for a simple cross-back brace to ten times that or more for more elaborate set-ups

Do Posture Correctors Work?

First let’s talk about how they supposedly work. Rigid braces hold your back in proper alignment. But for the most part, the posture correctors that are so popular on social media provide light mechanical support and, more importantly, a physical reminder to straighten up. The mechanical support helps pull your shoulders into a more desirable retracted position. This physical reminder, or proprioceptive feedback, helps you establish better habitual body position.

Proprioceptive feedback, by the way, is probably one reason that kinesiology tape (KT tape) works, too. It brings awareness to parts of the body that may be weak or vulnerable and reminds the nervous system to provide appropriate internal support. KT taping can also be used to establish better posture.³

As for whether posture correctors do what they are supposed to do, a handful of studies confirms that posture correcting devices can bring the head, neck, shoulders, and back into better alignment. So in that sense, yes, they work. At least, the ones that have been tested work. The data is really pretty limited here.

Moreover, there’s almost no evidence that they provide the downstream effects we ultimately want—decreased pain, better mobility, and so on. One study of 32 women with neck pain did find that wearing a compression shirt with built-in bracing for three months improved posture and reduced pain better than exercising.⁴ Other than that, there’s not much to go on.

So Should You Try One?

It seems that posture correctors do what they claim to do on the most basic level: help correct posture. If you have 20 bucks lying around and want to try one, it seems fairly low risk. There are also instructions online for rigging up a DIY device with materials you probably already have lying around.

That said, you shouldn’t rely exclusively on devices like these to fix bad posture. You’ll also want to work on strengthening your postural muscles. These include your core muscles, naturally, but correct posture is really a whole-body activity. Yet another reason why it’s important to vary your position throughout the day, move frequently, and include resistance exercise (insert shameless plug for the Primal Essential Movements here) and balance exercises that improve your proprioception.

Pretty much all strengthening exercises can promote better posture, provided you do them with good form. The catch-22 here is that if you already have bad posture, you’re likely exhibiting that same bad posture during exercise. Focusing on proper form and exercising in front of a mirror can help. For folks already suffering from neck, shoulder, or back pain, a physical therapist can identify specific weaknesses and recommend a customized program.

In tomorrow’s post, I’ll also discuss how to specifically target the rounded shoulders that are so typical among people who work at a computer, play a lot of video games, or stare at a device in their laps. (So, most people.) Breathwork is another great tool, so I’ll link some relevant MDA posts below.

How to Get Started

Aim for the minimum effective dose. Start with a basic elastic band or strap style rather than jumping into a hard-core pneumatic device or full-back brace. The goal is to do as little as possible externally while also working on developing internal postural strength and balance.

Try wearing it for a couple hours per day for a few weeks. See how you feel. You may need to start smaller, 20 or 30 minutes, and work up to an hour or two. I wouldn’t wear it more than that unless your physiotherapist told you to do so. It’s theoretically possible to provide too much passive stretching to the chest muscles. And obviously, if you have ongoing shoulder or chest injuries (torn muscles, nerve impingement, broken bones, recent surgery, or unexplained acute pain), talk to your doc before strapping in.

Let me know how it goes!

Breathwork posts from MDA:

Why You Should Practice Deep Breathing (and How to Do It)

How to Breathe Correctly

3 Breathing Exercises to Improve Vagal Tone and Reduce Stress in a Flash

The post Posture Correctors: Helpful or All Hype? appeared first on Mark’s Daily Apple.

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On April 29, 2022, bodybuilder Chris Bumstead shared a video from his YouTube channel where he challenged his upper body in seemingly every way possible. The reigning three-time Classic Physique Olympia Champion (2019-2021) notably called it his “favorite arm workout.”

At the time of writing, Bumstead has over 1.6 million subscribers on YouTube. As a result, the man some call “CBum” says he decided to film an arms workout at the request of his many supporters.

My arms are definitely something I want to grow more, so I just want to show you a workout routine I’ve been doing that allows them to grow.

On the whole, it’s a taste of how the stellar bodybuilder pushes himself in the gym.

Bumstead’s Arms Workout

Before he dives in, Bumstead prefaces the workout with a note that these lifts are about him training harder and smarter.

Rope Tricep Pushdown

Sets and Reps: 2 x 10

Bumstead’s workout begins with tricep rope pushdowns on a machine. To work his muscle pump, he does two sets from a static standing position and supersets with two overhead sets. Bumstead explains that these first few triceps sets have been a foundational part of his workouts recently.

“I’ve been starting with this for the last four months, pretty much” Bumstead says. “You get a pump from the normal tricep extensions, and then when you go overhead and stretch, it gives you this crazy burn.”

EZ-Bar Preacher Curl

Sets and Reps: 3 x 8

Bumstead alternates his triceps work by focusing on his biceps with EZ-bar preacher curls to continue warming up. The preacher curl is where an athlete will perform a traditional barbell bicep curl but does it while seated with their arms resting on an elevated bench.

Notably, Bumstead says this is one of the parts of his workouts where he really tracks his weight — most recently stacking 25-pound plates on both ends of the bar. He tracks the weight because he finds it an incremental part of his overall training.

“This right here, this blue machine, is the GOAT biceps machine for me, personally,” Bumstead says of the EZ-bar bench. “It’s what I figured out is the best way to contract my biceps on a heavy load and push the intensity while keeping the load on my biceps. It’s a lot easier on a preacher curl because your arms are in a forced, stiff position.”

Indeed, research backs up Bumstead’s ease assertion. One study showed that the preacher curl is generally less challenging than the traditional variation as it activates the bicep muscles less. (1)

A seasoned professional, Bumstead assuredly understands the distinction between the two as he’s performing a warmup.

 

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A post shared by Chris Bumstead (@cbum)

[Related: Bodybuilder Shaun Clarida Breaks Down An Intense Arms Workout]

Incline Dumbbell Skull Crusher

Sets and Reps: 3 x 10

With his warmups finished, Bumstead transitions to skull crushers with dumbbells from an incline bench position. Per Bumstead, this piece of the workout allows him to give each arm equal attention, especially as he contends with right shoulder discomfort. He says the movement is a great way to push his triceps.

“When you do these, if you start pushing them overhead and try to move your elbows as far as back as possible, you’re a lot weaker,” Bumstead explains. “But as you get tired, it’ll turn into a little bit more of a press, and it allows you to exhaust your triceps a bit more on the last few reps.”

Seated Incline Dumbbell Biceps Curl

The next portion of Bumstead’s workout sees him shift back to his biceps. While seated on an incline bench, he supersets a few sets of regular dumbbell bicep curls and some dumbbell hammer curls. It’s a method to cover all his triceps bases.

“The last one [EZ-bar preacher curls] we were in a really strong position in front of the body while leaning over,” Bumstead says. “This one, you’re kind of leaning back, with your arms behind you, to get that stretch in your biceps. What I’m trying to accomplish is to keep my elbow behind my body, and just pull up with my biceps.”

Research shows that implementing both movements into a workout can be integral to growing stronger, bigger biceps. Each activates the biceps from a slightly different angle, allowing for a wholesale focus on their development. (2)

Cable Hammer Curl

Sets and Reps: 3 for reps

Bumstead next challenges his biceps by doing hammer curls for reps on a cable machine. It’s another favorite for the bodybuilder.

Cross-Body Cable Tricep Extension

Sets and Reps: 2 heavy sets, one drop set, for reps

Bumstead closes the arms workout by engaging his triceps with standing cable pushdowns. He likes this lift as a cap because he can push out a few sets for reps before fatigue sets in.

“One more tricep movement, then go home and cry.”

Defending a Title

One of modern bodybuilding’s elite athletes, this arm workout is undoubtedly part of Bumstead’s coming defense of his Classic Physique Olympia title. He will take to the stage and go for his fourth consecutive championship during the 2022 Mr. Olympia, which will take place on December 15-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.

References:

1. Young, S., Porcari, J.P, Camic, C., Kavacs, A., Foster, C. (2014). ACE Study Reveals Best Biceps Exercises. ACE Prosource.
2. Oliveira, L.F., Matta, T.T., Alves, D.S, Garcia, M.A.C., Viera, T.M.M. (2009). Effect of the shoulder position on the biceps brachii emg in different dumbbell curls. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2009 Mar; 8(1): 24–29.

Featured image: @cbum on Instagram

The post Bodybuilder Chris Bumstead Annihilates His Arms With Intense Workout appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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On May 1-2, 2022, Eishiro “Tank” Murakami shared some of his recent top lifts — a 192-kilogram (423.2-pound) snatch and a 233-kilogram (513.6-pound) clean & jerk. Murakami achieved both of the feats while competing in the Men’s 109-kilogram-plus division during the 2022 All-Japan Championships — a multi-discipline event that took place in Tokyo, Japan, in late April.

By the competition’s end, Murakami’s overall weightlifting performance was enough to garner him three Japanese National Records on his snatch, clean & jerk, and an overall total of 425 kilograms (936.9 pounds). Check out a video of Murakami’s record snatch, courtesy of his Instagram profile:

 

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A post shared by TANK MURAKAMI (@tank_murakami)

[Related: Olympic Weightlifter Katherine Nye Squats 186 Kilograms (410 Pounds) For A New PR]

Elite Class in Japan

Murakami’s record performance is nothing new in his native Japan. Each of those Japanese records on the snatch, clean & jerk, and total were all previous marks held by the dynamic weightlifter — which he eclipsed by one, two, and three kilograms, respectively. One of Olympic weightlifting’s current elite performers, “Tank,” might be a more than appropriate nickname for Murakami, who is a three-time Japanese National Champion, according to his Instagram.

Through other stellar feats of strength, like a 175-kilogram (385-pound) strict prone row in mid-February 2022, the 25-year-old has developed a social media reputation for staggering power. Here are some of the notable results for the weightlifter, who has enjoyed steady progress in recent years, via the International Weightlifting Federation’s (IWF) athlete directory:

Eishiro Murakami | Notable Career Results

• 5th International Qatar Cup (+109KG) — 6th place
• 2019 Ready Steady Tokyo (+109KG) — 1st place
• 2019 IWF World Championships (+109KG) — 11th place
• 2019 IWF World Cup (+109KG) — 1st place
• 2020 Asian Championships (+109KG) — 3rd place
• 2021 Open Championships (+109KG) — 1st place
• 2022 All-Japan Championships (+109KG) — 1st place

Notably, Murakami did not participate in the 2021 IWF World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This 425-kilogram (936.9-pound) total would have slotted him in with a sixth-place finish at that competition.

 

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A post shared by TANK MURAKAMI (@tank_murakami)

[Related: Powerlifter Shahram Saki Logs 1025-Kilogram Total (2,259.7 Pounds), The Highest In Asia]

The Road Ahead

A good portion of Japan’s top weightlifters used the All-Japan Championships competition as a springboard toward a place in the 2022 IWF World Championships, which is set to occur sometime between November 1 and December 31, 2022, in Bogota, Colombia. At the time of this writing, the IWF hasn’t confirmed a definite date. That competition will, in turn, be a part of the eventual qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Murakami aside, three Tokyo 2020 Japanese weightlifter male Olympians — including Yoichi Itokazu (67KG), Mitsunori Konnai (73KG), and Masanori Miyamoto (73KG) — were all participants during the 2022 All-Japan Championships. Notably, Toshiko Yamamoto (96KG) was not present. A woman Japanese weightlifter — Mikiko Andoh (59KG), who captured bronze in Tokyo — won the competition for her weight class.

Thanks to Murakami at the forefront, it appears Team Japan is ready to achieve more greatness over the rest of 2022.

Featured Image: @tank_murakami on Instagram

The post Weightlifter Eishiro Murakami (109KG+) Sets 3 National Records During 2022 All-Japan Championships appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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By now, Hunter Henderson pulling off astonishing feats of squat strength is no surprise. On May 1, 2022, the powerlifter squatted 305 kilograms (672 pounds) for one rep during the 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) FQ Classic 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Henderson’s squat (raw with wraps) is a new all-time record 0 in the 82.5-kilogram weight class, and it ended up helping her come in first for the event. In addition to her wraps, Henderson also donned a lifting belt and knee sleeves for the lift.

Check out Henderson’s record squat below, courtesy of the Instagram profile of her coach Joe Sullivan:

 

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A post shared by Joe Sullivan (@joesullivan_aod)

[Related: Powerlifter Jessica Buettner Deadlifts 245 Kilograms (541 Pounds) For A 2-Rep PR]

Rare Air

Henderson’s record might be even more impressive in context. For the 82.5-kilogram weight class, it smashes Chakera Ingram’s previous top mark of 295 kilograms (650.3 pounds) from the 2019 USA-UA Boss of Bosses 6. Ingram similarly achieved her squat while wearing wraps. Henderson’s squat is also the second-highest ever with wraps in a full powerlifting meet, and she’s the fourth woman powerlifter, across all weight classes, to squat at least 300 kilograms (661.4 pounds) in competition, according to Open Powerlifting.

Finally, Henderson now possesses both the 82.5-kilogram weight class squat with wraps record and the 75-kilogram weight class record, thanks to a 295-kilogram squat (650-pound) from the 2021 WRPF Kern US Open.

With Henderson’s new 82.5-kilogram benchmark in account, here are the highest-ever squats by female powerlifters:

Female Powerlifters | Full Power Meet Top Squats (W/Wraps)

1. April Mathis (89KG-plus) — 319.9 kilograms (705.4 pounds) | 2017 American Powerlifting Federation (APF) Gulfcoast
2. Hunter Henderson (82.5KG) — 304.8 kilograms (672 pounds) | 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2
3. Kiersten Scurlock (89KG-plus) — 302.5 kilograms (666.9 pounds) | 2021 United Powerlifting Association (UPA) Hooligans Holiday Bash
4. Samantha DiBois (89KG-plus) —  300 kilograms (661.4 pounds) | 2016 UPA Relentless Minnesota

While Henderson’s staggering squat drew much of the appropriate attention, the rest of her performance was also stellar. Here are the final top stats from her entire meet:

Hunter Henderson (82.5KG) Lift Stats | 2022 WRPF FQ Classic 2

• Squat (W/Wraps) — 304.8 kilograms (672 pounds) | 82.5KG all-time record
• Bench Press (Raw) — 155 kilograms (341.7 pounds) | New competition best 
• Deadlift (Raw) — 255 kilograms (562.2 pounds)
• Total — 715 kilograms (1,576.3 pounds) | New competition best

 

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A post shared by Hunter Henderson (@huntermhenderson)

[Related: Watch Powerlifter Jesus Olivares Smash A 417.3-Kilogram Squat (920-Pound) During Training]

A Seamless Back and Forth

In addition to being one of powerlifting’s current brighter names, Henderson is an active competitive bodybuilder. Most recently, she won the 2021 National Physique Committee (NPC) USA Championship and earned her International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League card in the process. That Henderson can balance professional powerlifting and bodybuilding — two sports with entirely different objectives in strength and building muscle mass — might be a testament to her prowess as an athlete.

In powerlifting, Henderson’s record meet extends her ongoing winning streak to eight consecutive victories. At 27-years-old, she has yet to lose a powerlifting competition.

Meanwhile, this meet was Henderson’s second event of the year, following the 2022 USPA Hybrid Showdown 4. While there, Henderson set the 82.5-kilogram weight class raw squat record with a 250-kilogram lift (551.1-pound). At the time of publishing, the powerlifter has not yet announced her next competition.

If Henderson’s stellar 2022 is any indication, she’ll likely continue breaking new squat ground whenever she competes next.

Featured Image: @joesullivan_aod on Instagram

The post Powerlifter Hunter Henderson (82.5KG) Crushes 304.8-Kilogram (672-Pound) Squat, Sets All-Time Record W/Wraps appeared first on Breaking Muscle.

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Roux (pronounced “roo”) is a thickening agent that chefs add to sauces, soups, and stews to give them a more pleasing texture. It is a staple of French cooking, though in the U.S. we typically associate it more with Cajun or Creole staples like gumbo.

Roux is made by cooking one part fat and one part flour together to form something resembling smooth gravy. White flour is a no-go when eating Primally, but never fear, you aren’t doomed to a lifetime of thin, runny étouffée, moussaka, and scalloped potatoes!

Today, I’ll show you how to make a traditional roux and how to swap in Primal-friendly ingredients for a gluten-free option.

How to Make a Roux (Traditional and Gluten-free Options)

For a basic roux that will thicken around 2 cups of liquid, you will need:

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup fat
• ¼ cup flour

Directions:

Heat your fat in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Once the fat is melted, slowly stir in your flour or starch while stirring. (See below for options)

Continue stirring and reduce the heat a little until a sauce forms. As you stir, the sauce will begin to thicken and eventually turn from white to tan to brown. A white or blonde roux takes about 1 to 3 minutes to cook, although this may vary slightly depending on the type of flour or starch you use. A dark brown roux can take 30 minutes or longer.

Continue cooking until the roux reaches your desired depth of color. After the roux is finished cooking to the color of your liking, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool for a bit before adding it to whatever dish you are using it for.

Important things to note:

• A light colored roux is ideal for cream sauces or cheese sauces, like for mac and cheese. A darker tan or caramel colored roux will take longer to cook and is ideal for different types of hearty stews, soups, gravies, and gumbos.
• A couple of tablespoons of roux can thicken up to 1 cup of liquid, but this will depend on the color of the roux. A dark-colored roux tends to thicken up dishes less than the white or blonde varieties. I find this to be especially so when using alternatives to flour like arrowroot or tapioca starch.
• While the roux is cooking, you want it to be slightly bubbling but not boiling. Cooking the roux at too high of a temperature can often result in a gritty sauce at the end.

Roux FAQs

What ingredients can I use to make my roux gluten-free and Primal/paleo?

Flour is the go-to choice for making a roux, but there are many alternatives. Try a gluten-free flour blend, tapioca starch, arrowroot powder, or cornstarch. To keep it Primal/paleo, use tapioca or arrowroot starch. I find that starches like arrowroot and tapioca tend to perform better in light-colored roux.

There are many options for the fat in a roux, too. Ghee or clarified butter are the ideal choices. They have a nutty flavor, and the milk solids have been cooked out, which helps reduce the risk of burning. In lieu of ghee, you can use butter, animal fat like beef tallow, or even oil like avocado oil. Keep in mind that if you use oil, the roux will most likely separate if you store extra for later.

To thicken a sauce without fat at all, make a slurry by whisking together a few tablespoons of flour/starch and double or triple the amount of any type of milk (cow’s milk, nut milk, coconut milk, etc.). You can whisk this slurry into whatever dish you want to thicken.

How do you prevent your roux from forming lumps?

Take care to not heat the fat at too high of a temperature. Stir the flour into the fat a little at a time, and stir the roux frequently. This will help break down any little clumps of flour and also helps it cook evenly and not burn.

If you’d like, you can also use a flour sifter to sift the flour into the fat.

How can you tell if your roux is burnt, and what should you do if that happens?

You may notice your roux smelling a bit burnt or developing little black flecks in it. If this is the case, your best option is to toss the roux and start again, as the burnt flavor will permeate whatever dish you put it in.

What’s the best way to store a roux to use later, and how long will it last? How can you reheat it?

It’s never a bad idea to make a little extra roux, as it can always be stored for later! Pour the extra roux in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator. You can keep it in the fridge for a few weeks, or freeze it for 3 to 6 months.

The easiest way to portion out roux for the freezer is to measure it out into ice cube trays, freeze the trays, and then pop the roux cubes into an airtight bag or container. Let the roux come to room temperature and give it a stir before adding it to a dish.

If you could offer one tip to a first-time roux maker, what would it be?

Cooking is all about experimenting and trying new things. If you’re not happy with your roux the first time, troubleshoot and try again! Experiment with cooking your roux for different lengths of time and using it in different dishes. You’ll quickly see how easy and versatile it is!

The post How to Make Gluten-free Roux appeared first on Mark’s Daily Apple.