Questions about what temperature is optimal for cooking/preparing certain food or how certain temperatures can affect different types of food. Questions can also include how to best achieve/maintain a certain temperature for a specific type of food.
5
votes
1answer
290 views
Does searing cause more or less oil to be absorbed than frying?
Let's assume that I have two identical pans, with equal amounts of oil in each, and two practically identical slices of tofu (or whatever else, but I'm referring to items that would be more spongiform ...
4
votes
7answers
15k views
How do I prevent burned chicken breasts when cooking on the stovetop?
Ok I'm going crazy with this. I've tried everything, but no matter what I do, it always results in my chicken breast burning and becoming black. Here is what I usually do:
Grab a chicken breast, wash ...
4
votes
4answers
778 views
What's the best option for water for tea in the office?
When making tea at home, I have all the equipment I need to make a fine cup of tea. In the office, however, my options are more limited. It seems my sources for hot water are:
Straight from the tap
...
4
votes
3answers
904 views
Is a little oven less hot than a bigger oven?
Some months ago, I found a recipe for cookies and made them in a big oven; they were delicious and cooked very well (soft cookies) at 180 °C (356 °F) for 7 minutes.
I recently tried the recipe again, ...
4
votes
2answers
149 views
Exactly what is “low heat” for making cheese sauce?
Having a poor track record of making cheese sauces, I'm determined to do it right at least once in this decade. I read that one should use "low heat" only. Too much heat causes the cheese to go ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
What does it mean to broil 4 inches from the heat for x minutes?
I was looking at some recipes online and it said 'Broil 4 in. from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned.'
Does broiling mean a specific temperature? I have never broiled anything before ...
4
votes
2answers
969 views
Infrared thermometer for oven temperatures
IR Thermometers read surface temperatures. Can they accurately read the interior temperature of my oven through the glass panel? Or will it be reading the surface temperature of the glass rather than ...
4
votes
2answers
343 views
Temperature probe recommendations?
I am looking for a temperature probe. Specifically the kind you put in meat before putting it in the oven and the display is outside of the oven. I've purchased three in as many months and each one ...
4
votes
1answer
376 views
Oven Temperature: How to be sure the selected temperature is correct.
I suspect that my - fairly new - oven gets too hot, so I bought an oven thermometer, which confirmed this. So I called the supplier. They say that in order to obtain the correct actual oven ...
4
votes
1answer
225 views
At what temperature should one bake a coconut crust for a Hershey Bar Pie?
Today I plan to bake a hershey bar pie.
I have done this in the past but never really get the crust to turn out like I expect. I am wondering if I am not cooking it at the correct temperature since ...
4
votes
2answers
512 views
Egg temperature for meringue
All the experts insist that a meringue must be made with room-temperature eggs. Why?
I ask because my experience runs completely opposite, at least when it comes to flourless/nut-based desserts where ...
4
votes
1answer
104 views
Trouble cooking steak to the standard internal temperature
I just cooked a steak following Gordon ramsey's "perfect steak" method found on youtube, I flipped the steak every minute about 4-5 times on medium-medium high heat, but I couldn't get the internal ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
How to measure the temperature of a pan?
When I need to know if a pan is above or below 100 Celsius but don't have a thermometer handy, I squirt some water on it. Say I want to check for another temperature, e.g. for the Maillard reaction or ...
3
votes
3answers
867 views
Why does food cook differently in a double-boiler?
I understand that food cooks differently in a double-boiler than when cooked "directly" - but don't know why that is.
How does utilizing a double-boiler change how food cooks?
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Could rice or pasta be cooked without hot water?
I moved in a brand new house. I have no stove, microwaves or hot water for a week or two.
I'm vegetarian and I've already prepared fresh veggies wrap, salad, hummus, sandwichs, .. but I'm wondering ...
3
votes
1answer
303 views
How do I control the temperature of water for an extended period of time?
When making the "perfect" mash, Heston Blumenthal recommends cooking waxy spuds in hot water for half an hour at the temperature of 72 degrees Celsius, exactly. At 75 degrees stuff starts breaking ...
3
votes
3answers
722 views
Why does strata have to come to room temperature before baking?
I've made strata a few times before, usually for brunches where I have a number of guests coming over and don't want to spend all my time in the kitchen. I always follow instructions in the recipe; I ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Temperature of tandoor for making naan
What is the temperature used in a tandoor for making naan or kulcha? I know it's higher than 500 deg. F [260 deg. C], but don't know the exact range of temperatures resestaurants use.
Update: ...
3
votes
1answer
431 views
Best way/temperature to get maillard reaction on meat/steak
Background
In relation to this question/answer. What temperature does the Maillard reaction occur?
The answer to the question above states that over 400F/200C there is basically no maillard, only ...
3
votes
2answers
229 views
How can I warm bread making ingredients to room temperature?
My room temperature is 65°F (18°C). The recipe calls for the ingredients (milk, egg, butter, etc.) to be at room temperature, 75-90°F (24-32°C).
How should I warm them? Can I use the microwave, or ...
3
votes
1answer
178 views
Did 150 °C (300 °F) ruin my cream sauce, or is it just overcooked, or fine?
I made a new recipe -that had chicken, mushrooms and onion sauteed in butter, to make a casserole. I made a white sauce - butter/flour, lactose-free milk, and it thickened very slowly, so added some ...
3
votes
1answer
404 views
How long should I let a tea with lemongrass steep?
Every time I have a tea with lemongrass in it the tea ends up with a really strong and rather terrible aftertaste. I drink several different types of tea, and am pretty sure that I am letting the ...
3
votes
1answer
155 views
Can the broiler replicate a regular gas oven?
My oven has been broken about a month, and I am getting a new one delivered Saturday. But in the wake of a failed pilot on the bottom, I was curious about whether the broiler could replicate the ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Is slow cooking for 24+ hours safe?
I've been cooking a 15 lb (7 Kg) pork shoulder for 24 hours, and the temperature has been around 140°F (60°C) for both meat and liquid. I didn't realize the temp was so low until just now when I stuck ...
2
votes
2answers
407 views
How much could I safely heat a content-less cast-iron pan?
To which temperature could I safely heat my cast-iron pan on the stove, without any contents? I don't want to re-season it afterwards. Afterwards, I'd just let the pan cool off in room temperature. ...
2
votes
3answers
145 views
What is the optimal temperature for making coffee, specifically in an AeroPress?
I use an Aerobie AeroPress to make lattes. The instructions recommend a water temperature of 175° F to be used in making the espresso. Since I am making a latte I also heat milk and froth it. The ...
2
votes
1answer
133 views
Does it take more energy to maintain a higher cooking temperature?
This is just the curious cat in me. When heating water on a stove top in a covered pot, once the desired temperature is reached, does it take more energy to maintain the temp if it is higher (say ...
2
votes
1answer
77 views
Implied cooking temperatures on food packaging
Every time I follow directions I see instructions like this:
Bring water to boil
Stir in pasta
Return to rapid boil
Cook for 6 minutes for al-dente
I set the stove burner to high for Step 1. Do I ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
How hot do charcoal grills get?
As a college student, I am working with limited cooking equipment. There are several outdoor charcoal grills however, which students sometimes have cookouts on. How hot do can these grills get? I have ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
electric smoking 2 pork loins, increase time and or temp?
We're using our electric smoker to do 2 pork loins close to equal size. We did only one loin before and it was great!
Do we need to adjust the time and or temp to do it right again? We want to do ...
2
votes
2answers
183 views
Tweaking a Macaroni & Cheese Cake
This is basically the first loaf I have baked and I am having difficulty knowing how I should tweak it. I have four directions to go with it and would like to know in which direction I should go, or ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the best time and temperature for taste when cooking a salmon fillet in the oven?
I have an Atlantic salmon fillet in my frig at the moment, but I really have no idea what the normal cooking temperature and time are for a salmon fillet.
What's the best temp and time to cook a 1lb ...
2
votes
3answers
46k views
What temperature to cook a pork tenderloin at?
What temperature do you normally cook a pork tenderloin at? I was searching on the internet and saw anywhere from 325° to 450° and couldn't seem to find a good answer.
Also, does it depend on how ...
2
votes
2answers
148 views
Why do some foods have to be cooked only when the pan is really hot?
I like fried rice. When I try to make it myself, though, it never turns out the way restaurants make it. Restaurant fried rice almost has this sort of "smell-you-can-taste" that's not directly part of ...
2
votes
3answers
470 views
How should I control the time and temperature when baking two dishes?
I want to cook multiple dishes at the same time using a conventional oven. A 9x 13 pan with potatoes should bake in an oven of 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. The other dish, a ham, should be in a 325 ...
2
votes
2answers
160 views
Cooking with a crock pot - temp
I'm thinking about getting a slow cooker, so I was checking out some recipes. Many say something along the lines of:
Cook Time
4 - 5 hours on LOW
2 - 2.5 hours on HIGH
Slow Cooker
4 - 4.5 Quarts
6 - ...
2
votes
0answers
45 views
Fridge temperature [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the ideal fridge temperature
I have brought a fridge thermometer to check the temperature of a new fridge (Amica). On it's highest setting (7) it alternates over ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Cooking too long, or too hot?
I have just moved into a new apartment, and am learning the ins and outs of this new oven. But being new to cooking/baking in general, I find that everything comes out burnt, one way or another. ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Why does flatbread have to be microwaved / cooked / toasted?
I was eating at a sub making restaurant the other day and they asked if I would like my flatbread toasted... I responded with a "No thanks."
The Chef said, "Well technically the flatbread still HAS ...
1
vote
1answer
572 views
How to make chicken absorb more salt when cooking a soup?
This is a really important question for me, it can actually make the difference between me recovering from a chronic illness or not.
Basically I have been cooking a basic soup : 1kg chicken: 1.5 ...
1
vote
6answers
496 views
How to set yogurt in the room temperature between 20 to 16 degree Centigrade?
It is winters here, and the yogurt never sets the way I used to set it during summers.
If for example, we have 1/2 litre milk, what is the near exact temperature (for heating the milk), and the near ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
What temperature should a crock pot slow cooker cook at?
I have a crock pot that will generate a low boil on the "Low" setting and dries out anything that is cooked for a long period. I'm wondering if the temperature regulator is too high, but I can't know ...
1
vote
3answers
4k views
What temperature is the “warm” setting on a conventional oven?
I'm making a rack of pork ribs and I want to try and cook them as low and slow as possible, with time not really being an issue. Just wondering if the warm setting is enough to do the trick. I'm ...
1
vote
2answers
3k views
What would cooking chicken at 140 degrees F for a prolonged period do?
A couple of times I've cooked chicken at 140F in the oven (i.e. with the oven temperature set to 140 degrees). Both times I've followed the advice to cease cooking when an internal temperature of 140 ...
1
vote
1answer
530 views
Boiled chicken: coloured parts of the meat?
When I try to make chicken soup I usually find parts of the meat don't seemed to be cooked properly: red, purple, or brown bits which I think should be white. Sometimes some pieces come out white ...
1
vote
1answer
300 views
Searing after sous viding - what temperature?
I just got a sous vide supreme for christmas and I am super excited to use it. Many of the recipes I have seen online suggest to sear the meat after cooking to provide a crust. No problem.
My ...
1
vote
1answer
173 views
Can I marble two cakes that call for different cooking temperatures?
I have two cupcake recipes that I would like to combine into one marbled cupcake. However one recipe bakes at 350 degrees and the other bakes at 375 degrees. Can a combination be done?
1
vote
1answer
199 views
Foil over cookie sheet over broiling pan?
My wife was cooking a recipe and was confused by instructions to put foil over a cookie sheet which should sit on a broiling pan. Foil is pretty standard in recipes, but why have the sheet on top of ...
1
vote
1answer
816 views
At what temperature should monkfish be prepared?
At what internal temperature should you aim for monkfish to be properly cooked? According to this recipe, it should be at 145F (63ºC). Does anybody know a temperature chart for fish in general?
FYI I ...
1
vote
2answers
542 views
How do I adjust for a recipe to bake in an oven instead of on a grill?
I have a recipe for grilling a pear crisp that calls for grilling for 15 to 20 minutes over indirect medium heat.
Can I instead bake this in an oven? At what temperature should I bake it?
