Latest Cooking Answers

Vacuum-packed (or not?) bacon, safe to use?

I purchased a 3-pack of bacon a week ago, basically 3 vacuum packed (is that the right word for this?) bacon, stripped together (probably made together, seems l

How long is SPAM really good for?

I wanted to buy some SPAM for my zombie apocalypse survival kit, and I noticed that it had an expiration date in 2013. Should I be concerned? I've heard it will

When boiling water without any other ingredients in it, why start from cold?

A question about probably the most mundane subject in cooking: boiling water. For cooking techniques where you drop ingredients in simmering or boiling water -

What can I do with Hazelnuts and Walnuts? [closed]

Recently I got some hazelnuts and walnuts to snack on, but I got too many. What interesting things can I do with them before they go bad?

How can I make McDonald's type French Fries

I have eaten french fries from most popular fast food joints. McDonald's has been the best by far. Crisp & crunchy on the outside yet moist inside, still

What are the advantages of homemade pasta over store-bought?

I am thinking about getting a pasta maker. Of course it takes more time to make your own pasta but it seems like it would be fun and nutritious. What are the re

Do I need to pre-cook bacon when adding it to a quiche?

I've got a quiche recipe that requires me to use bacon but it's not clear on whether or not I should cook the bacon before adding it to the quiche. The quiche

How to make pancakes/crepes without eggs nor any liquids besides water?

I am looking for a way to make pancakes/crepes (the very thin ones), with the following limitations: no eggs no liquid ingredients besides water cheap ingredie

Cheap cheese is tasteless. Can I make it tastier in my mac and cheese?

I used to make mac and cheese with cheddar. Like many, I'm cutting costs due to the recession and I'm buying the cheapest cheese I can find. The problem is, w

What is the best oil to use when cooking in a wok? [duplicate]

I like cooking a lot of stir-fry which I generally cook in a wok at high temperature. I generally use vegetable oil but I've also heard peanut

Does a colder refrigerator keep things fresh longer?

Are they simply "cold" or "not cold", or does the degree of coldness make a difference? Does it depend on what is being refrigerated?

Stuffed pumpkin on a burner

I have been asked to make a main for a potluck this Halloween and I thought I would be "clever" and bake a lamb stew in a pumpkin. I plan to hollow out the pump

What is a good online resource for purchasing high quality sea salt? [closed]

I would like to purchase some very nice sea salts. There are many sources available online but it is hard to tell what their quality and reput

Where can I buy online spices, sauces, extracts, etc. with international shipping?

I already know Penzey's spices, which is good, but they don't sell sauces. Ebay won't work for me because it is too expensive to ship to Russia (judging from on

Can the amount of salt in the recipe be right?

I made sushi for the first time at the weekend. the seasoning for the rice had this recipe: 125 ml rice vinegar 30 ml mirin 3 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons

How can I keep pasta from sticking to itself?

Whenever I boil pasta (specifically spaghetti), it always sticks to itself before I'm ready to use it. What can I do to avoid this without it becoming mushy (wh

Parmesan regiano substitute

What would be an appropriate substitute for parmesan (parmagiano reggiano) in a recipe?

How long can i keep home made caesar dressing?

The dressing contains raw eggs, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Worcestershire, mustard, salt and pepper. How long can I keep it in the fridge in a airtight con

Is it safe to eat pumpkins grown specifically for carving?

As it is coming up to Halloween, there is an abundance of cheap pumpkins in the shops now. I quite like to eat pumpkin rather than carve them. Are the large rou

Are sea bass fillets meant to be crisp on the flesh side when fried?

I've just cooked some sea bass fillets (according to the instructions), and was instructed (by the instructions) to turn them from the skin side to the flesh si

How to Pair for Beer Tastings

I am no sommelier, however I understand that while drinking or tasting wines a suitable matching food-stuff (be it a cheese, herb, etc) should be paired to full

How to work with Dried Mushrooms?

I was recently given a bag of dried mushrooms and am unsure how to work with them. What's the best way to use them?

How do I bake chicken breast?

The kitchen queen marinated three whole chicken breasts in the refrigerator today. She left a note saying to bake them. I have no idea what I'm doing. Should I

In a recipe, how much is "to taste"?

A lot of recipes I've been preparing lately often list salt and black pepper as "to taste" in terms of quantity. I get that the general idea is to make the food

Substituting with Bacon and Bacon Fat in a Recipe

I've been thinking about throwing cooked bacon into various recipes like candy and bread. Are there any general guidelines for adjusting the recipes for handlin

Can store bought salmon be used for sashimi?

Is it safe to consume raw fish purchased at the fish counter of a typical suburban grocery store? If not, do you have any tips for finding sushi grade fish. Als

What are the uses for a roasting pan? Do I really need a roasting pan?

We registered for a roasting pan and it has been sitting around taking up a lot of space. Do I really need this or is this a "one-tasker" as Alton Brown would s

How can vanilla essence and vanilla extract be used interchangeably?

This question has answers which explain the difference between vanilla essence and vanilla extract, and which tell you when you may want one over the other - if

Is it possible to get veal that is not incredibly fatty?

I have not had such good success with veal. I prefer leaner meats, and every time I get a cut of veal, it is extremely fatty. Is there a way to get leaner veal?

Stopping water from bubbling over when cooking rice

Every time I cook brown rice (in a traditional pot, or in my new rice cooker), large bubbles form and spill over the sides. How can I prevent this? I found thi