The shopping tag has no wiki summary.
26
votes
7answers
3k views
What is the difference between various types of flour?
Is there a difference between the various types of flour that you see in the stores (i.e. Cake, Bread, and All-Purpose? Is it really necessary to stock 3 types of flour in my pantry or is this just a ...
19
votes
12answers
2k views
How do we escape the cycle of bad college eating?
Mouseover text: And yet I never stop thinking, 'sure, these ingredients cost more than a restaurant meal, but think how many meals I'll get out of them! Especially since each one will have ...
17
votes
7answers
17k views
When baking, is it better to use a gas or electric oven?
I'm looking for an oven and wanted to know if there is any difference between a gas or electric oven when it comes to baking things like cakes, biscuits and scones?
16
votes
3answers
618 views
What do “virgin” and “extra virgin” mean in regards to olive oil?
I have seen the terms "virgin" and "extra virgin" on bottles of olive oil. What do these terms mean, and how do they affect the flavor and cooking properties of the oil?
14
votes
2answers
328 views
Why do so many cheeses have artificial ingredients?
Here in Europe (and perhaps only in Spain) I've noticed that most of the cheeses (hard and soft, but more often hard) contain a interesting list of artificial additives in the ingredient list: ...
13
votes
4answers
837 views
What should I check when buying a pineapple?
I live in middle Europe so pineapple (so called "ananas") is an exotic fruit for me.
What should I check when buying a pineapple to make sure it would taste well? Should it smell specific? Should it ...
12
votes
4answers
966 views
What to look for when purchasing a blender?
I currently don't have a blender after purchasing my own home and am looking to get one for making smoothies primarily, but also for pureeing for soups, etc.
I had a smoothie maker that I won as a ...
12
votes
3answers
3k views
How much difference is there between brands of flour?
How much real difference is there between flours (specifically all-purpose) such as King Arthur, Gold Medal at a considerable savings and a store brand which is even less expensive?
10
votes
3answers
196 views
How can I tell fresher fish apart?
I love fish, and I love cooking it. The thing is, I don't have any idea how to buy fish.
Considering common fish in a grocery store (salmon, whitefish, tuna, grouper, etc.), how can I tell a good ...
10
votes
4answers
808 views
Yellowness of egg yolk
Related question: Why are Italian eggs so yellow?
Occasionally I get served a fried / poached egg with a deep yellow/orange yolk. I find it extremely appetising and visually attractive.
Sometimes ...
7
votes
1answer
145 views
What should I look for when buying a pasta roller?
I'm looking to buy a pasta roller but I have no experience with them at all.
What things should I look for to make sure I get a good one?
Can they be made of different materials?
Are there ...
6
votes
6answers
8k views
What is coriander root and where can you get it?
I mentioned the book Thai Food in an answer to another question. This reminded me of one of my longest running quandaries with it. Many of the recipes mention “coriander root”. I am aware of being ...
6
votes
6answers
1k views
Where can I buy American style bread flour in Europe
I live in Germany, and all the flour here is made from soft winter wheat. I can get some durum semolina imported from Italy and sold as "hardwheat flour" (Hartweizenmehl), and that's about it. But ...
6
votes
2answers
257 views
Best online source for spices
I'm looking or good online sources for spices. Good selection and good prices.
6
votes
1answer
465 views
How can I identify quality bacon?
I see bacon in store that varies widely in price. From the bulk ends and pieces packed in a solid block to thinly cut off-brand to expensive thick cut bacon.
Some of the differences in quality are ...
6
votes
3answers
126 views
What is a good online resource for purchasing high quality sea salt?
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 reputation is. What is the most comprehensive online shop for ...
5
votes
4answers
283 views
How do I skip the planning and shopping?
I really enjoy cooking. I enjoy the creativity, the experimentation and trying new foods. I HATE the planning, list making & shopping.
Is there any service or "technique" for avoiding ...
5
votes
3answers
269 views
How to economically make home-made sushi?
How does one go about purchasing sushi-grade fish without breaking the bank? I know that sushi chefs & restaurants usually buy in bulk. Is there any way to do this individually in a way that is at ...
5
votes
2answers
186 views
How to cook and plan meals when ingredients are not reliably available?
My wife and I have just moved to Mozambique Africa for her job. She works all day it's my job to do the cooking. I've never been much of a cook, but I could always follow a recipe and the results were ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
What is Zwieback toast and where can I find it?
I am baking a black forest cake and it calls for zwieback toast. I cannot find this anywhere. Does anyone know what this is or where I can find it?
5
votes
2answers
852 views
Lump Charcoal vs Briquettes and variations in brands
I've been experimenting with BBQ on a variety of smokers for the past few years.
Originally I tried some Kingsford Briquettes and had a hard time managing the temperature. There was an excessive ...
5
votes
3answers
109 views
Finding a farmer's market
A lot of people advise getting fresh produce and other ingredients at a farmer's market, where you can find items that are local and high quality, and have various other appealing attributes (such as ...
5
votes
3answers
257 views
Where can I source Mexican chilies in the UK?
I've traveled to Mexico and the US and seen different chilies available there, but at home in the UK (or even worse, in my fiancée's home of Finland) I find it very hard to find Ancho, Poblano and ...
4
votes
2answers
233 views
How can one determine if a potato is suitable for French fries?
I often make French fries by cutting potatoes into long strips, adding a bit of oil and spices, then baking them in the oven. Sometimes, this tastes very good. Unfortunately, most of the time, it ...
4
votes
1answer
247 views
Where is a good place to buy food coloring in bulk?
We use a lot of food coloring, not so much for cooking but for activities with my little one. Do you know of a good place to buy food coloring in bulk (either in store or online)? It can be quite ...
4
votes
2answers
280 views
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 one bottle from one user). Amazon is also ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Where can I bulk-buy cheap parmesan?
My friend planted three rows of basil in his garden to make pesto, and now we need to source roughly 25-50lbs of parmesan. With that kind of quantity, cheaper is better.
3
votes
2answers
128 views
Where to buy food chemicals
So I want to experiment with making a food product, and I'm wondering where I acquire the chemical ingredients? Things like vitamin chemicals and caffeine. Thanks.
3
votes
2answers
110 views
What is size 2 pasta?
I have a recipe requesting pasta #2 as an ingredient. What is pasta #2? I searched in several places but found nothing useful.
3
votes
1answer
138 views
Organic, Local, Price - Which Tradeoffs do you make for which foods? [closed]
Example: Milk - We buy local first (usually happens to be hormone free, but not certified organic), then national brand organic, then whatever is cheapest
Meat - We usually buy local seafood at the ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
What oven should I buy, which is appropriate for baking?
Three months ago I moved to a new apartment. In my old apartment with my old oven, my baked goods turned out pretty well. However, since I moved, my baked goods vary from almost-good to ...
2
votes
5answers
576 views
Where do you buy Indian spices online?
I want to learn to cook some Indian dishes. It would be preferable to know that the spices are from sustainable agriculture.
Sedona, Arizona. I did some googling and didn't find any local spice ...
2
votes
5answers
2k views
Where can I buy a goose?
I'd like to roast a goose, but none of my local supermarkets stocks them. Where should I look?I would prefer fresh and local but frozen would suffice.
2
votes
1answer
575 views
What other names are scallions known by?
If I can't find anything named "scallions" at the store, what else can I look for?
2
votes
7answers
3k views
Where can I buy kosher salt in London?
I make a point of taking a few minutes to look around for the stuff whenever I go to a new supermarket / farmers market / ete etc and I haven't been able to find a source here. At the same time, I'm ...
2
votes
12answers
335 views
What is a great website to order tea from? [closed]
Looking for places besides the local tea shops and grocery stores to find new teas. What are some good places to order tea online?
2
votes
2answers
240 views
Should I buy a mechanical chopper?
A popular example of this device is the heavily-advertised Slap Chop tool.
Is there any advantage to buying one of these? Do they tend to be as effective as advertised, and if so, what features ...
2
votes
2answers
233 views
Why is buying meat online so expensive
I buy meat from a supermarket which is around £5-£10 per kilo for most types of meat. At my local bucher, I buy high quality meat for ~£10/kg.
I think perhaps online I could get a better deal, buy ...
2
votes
4answers
538 views
Where can I buy Salsify in the UK?
I like the look and taste of salsify, and have had it in restaurants. However, I cannot find anywhere to buy it. I don't even mind how it comes - tinned, frozen, fresh.
2
votes
1answer
140 views
What type of Paprika is the generic stuff one buys at a grocery store chain?
I have read this very good link on the differences in paprika, but I did not learn all that I need to learn as far as buying these different varieties. When I go to my grocery chain to do my weekly ...
2
votes
6answers
1k views
Where can I buy corn kernel for making popcorn?
I want to home make popcorn by myself. Watching some video on youtube, I saw they are using a kind of kernel of corn. Are they different to what we eat normal corn? It seems that they are much ...
2
votes
1answer
515 views
How to buy a molcajete and/or paellera
Is there a way to get a quality molcajete and/or paellera in the U.S., specifically the eastern seaboard? I'd prefer not to fly to Texas, Mexico, or Spain to get them.
I've seen a few horror stories ...
2
votes
2answers
610 views
How to know if Dover Sole is fresh?
How do you know when Dover Sole is fresh?
According to this other question, about all fish, you have a few ways to know:
the gills should be bright red
the skin/scales should be bright and shiny ...
2
votes
0answers
235 views
Really good quality Cooks Knifes [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What should I look for in a good, multi-purpose chef's knife?
Hi guys
Just wondering what people consider to be the best Cooks knifes you can get?
I've been to a ...
1
vote
1answer
269 views
How to determine quality of spices
I know using spices while cooking is often subjective and you would use spices that you deem appropriate for certain dish but it is undeniable that when you do use them, you should use fresh and good ...
1
vote
2answers
410 views
Are there any 27" residential ovens that can accomodate a 3/4 sheet pan?
I am moving into a house that needs a new oven. We aren't going to renovate the entire kitchen; we just want to swap out the oven. The current cabinet space for the oven can hold at most a 27 inch ...
0
votes
9answers
3k views
Do I need a stand mixer to make good pizza dough? If so what should I get?
A lot of recipes I read for pizza dough call for a mixer. Is that the best way? If so, which mixer should I get? I've seen the kitchen aid and a electrolux. What else should I consider?
0
votes
2answers
516 views
Where can you buy real liver (pref. calf's liver) in the western US?
I have been looking for 14 years for calf's liver. I know that most processing plants render the organs inedible but the rise of the organic meat movement should make it possible to find. Anyone?
0
votes
2answers
132 views
Salad ingredients: how to pick them at the market?
I often make salads with lettuce and a few vegetables (perhaps some of carrot, celery, bell pepper, cucumber, tomato, green beans, snap peas). I can plan the ingredients before I go to the grocery ...
0
votes
3answers
274 views
Where do I buy a large amount of dried vegetables?
I'd like to buy a large amount of dried vegetable matter to stock up on backpacking supplies. I'm interested in almost any kind of edible vegetables, including the generic, assorted, mixed, ...
