Latest Cooking Answers

How to truss a chicken?

I have seen many videos online and by chefs on tv, showing how to truss a chicken. What is your way of trussing a chicken? They all seem to have a different tec

What are some alternative wines for Boeuf Bourguignon?

Traditionally a Burgundy wine is used for Beef Bourguignon. What are alternative replacements for this dish?

Microwave Crust

I've done a lot of microwave baking (and have created some delicious treats!), however I've never found a way to get a crust with the microwave. Now I understa

When boiling potatoes, should I put them in with the cold water or in to the hot?

I've heard both. What's the correct way to boil a potato? Why?

How can I make Chinese Fried Rice like they do on the East Coast?

I've been living in California for about 14 years and really miss the Chinese fried rice I would get at Chinese restaurants on the East Coast (Boston in specifi

Why add salt to the water when cooking rice?

Given the great answer to the question on adding salt to water when cooking pasta, I am curious whether the same explanation holds for rice as it does for pasta

What olive is a good taste substitute for Kalamata?

I am aware that wikipedia has a nice list of olive varieties including tastes (sometimes). However, I'd prefer a considered answer, so this is the place. I'm l

Is it safe to eat butter after it has crossed its expiration date? Does butter ever spoil in fridge?

I just came back from a long trip and I was cleaning out my fridge, and I noticed that there is an expiration date on the butter. It expired about two months fr

Is there a way to prevent my Fruit Pie from getting runny?

Is there a way to firm up the consistency of a fresh fruit pie (like peach or apple) - sometimes it gets too "runny"?

Can I safely roast a chicken for 4 to 5 hours on a low heat?

Hard pressed office worker and cook here. If I go home at lunchtime and put in a medium sized chicken to roast in the oven can I ensure it's ready to eat when t

Can you assemble lasagna one day, and then bake it about 24 hrs later?

I've always made it on the spot and cooked it then and there, but would like to make at home and take it to a large party the next day and cook it then - will i

(International / UK / US) RÖMERTOPF equivalents?

I have a RÖMERTOPF at home. It is a porous clay casserole dish. I have recipes, sure. But I'm always looking for more. I'm not asking for recipes, though:

Beef Wellington - how to get it (especially the pastry) right?

I'm thinking about cooking Beef Wellington this upcoming weekend for six adults and three kids. I've made it, with ok-ish results, before, but the trick is alwa

Timing an oven to start while I am out - but what about preheating?

Many ovens have a timer which allows you to set the start time, so you pop your item in and later in the day it will automatically start cooking it unmanned.

Method of canning without pressure canner?

I'm debating canning but I don't have a pressure canner. I was just wondering what the best method to can would be since I don't want to get botulism and I want

Sun Drying Tomatoes

Sorry if this seems obvious, but is there a method to making your own sun-dried tomatoes or is it really as simple as leaving them out in the sun? How long shou

Is it safe to cook with rainwater?

Is it safe to use rainwater as an ingredient versus tap water - or even cooking things in it like pasta? Would there be any differences in measurements or cook

How do you season/prepare a wood plank for Plank Grilling?

I wanted to Plank Grill a Salmon, after hearing about how much Jarrod enjoyed it: Besides salmon, what other meats can be grilled on a cedar plank? How do I

How many times can cheesecloth be reused?

I've only needed to use cheesecloth a few times in the kitchen and was curious to know if it's reusable. If so, how is it cleaned and how many times can it be

Best online source for spices [closed]

I'm looking or good online sources for spices. Good selection and good prices.

What is the difference between a Sfogliatelle and a Lobster Tail (Pastry)

What are the differences between Sfogliatelle and a Lobster Tail (Pastry). There is conflicting information about them being either different or the same pastr

How do you peel chickpeas?

When making a hummus one of the key factors seems to be removal of chickpea white skins. Are there any tips on how can I effectively peel the skins off in an

Is MSG necessary or what to replace it with?

I have always heard that you should stay away MSG. For example when buying bouillon crystals we should always make sure that it doesn't contain MSG. Yet I came

Is there a significant difference in flavor between black and white truffles?

I've tried both black and white truffles on separate occasions, but never side by side. Is there a meaningful difference between the two as far as flavor is co

White pepper vs. black pepper

Other than color, what is the difference between white pepper and black pepper? I thought it was purely a color thing so that black pepper wouldn't ruin the col

Can you freeze chopped zucchini?

I know that I can easily freeze shredded zucchini for long-term storage if I stored it in a vacuum sealed freezer bag. However there is a recipe that I really w

How to clean cauliflower?

I have asked many people about "best to way to clean cauliflower" before cooking. I got several answers, like keeping in salt water or add soak in turmeric mixe

Can I filter out vanilla bean seeds?

When I scrape out the seeds out of my vanilla beans and simmer them with milk or incorporate them into batter, they always leave little tell-tale black dots in

Fruit peeling techniques

I came across this page (How to peel a mango) while surfing and I found it very interesting. What kind of methods and knives/kitchen gadgets do you use to peel

how to grind pistachio nuts so that they stay dry

I've become a bit obsessed with making macarons and have actually managed to make them come out nicely, so I'm looking to take them to the next level and start