All Questions
30
votes
10answers
1k views
Digital recipes storage?
How do people organize their recipes digitally? Software and web solutions are both welcome.
For me, the ideal solution would accept recipes from different sources (copy/paste, or email) in any ...
29
votes
14answers
3k views
Nonstick cookware or not?
I am looking to replace my >10 year old Calphalon nonstick cookware. I can see the nonstick surface coming off the pans, and am starting to worry about how much of that is getting into our food.
I ...
29
votes
7answers
11k views
Cooking away alcohol
When you cook with wine or spirits, when does the alcohol cook away? Obviously high temperatures will do it, but how low of temperatures will work? Also, does it vary by the type of alcohol?
29
votes
1answer
3k views
How long can I store a food in the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer?
How do I know if a given food or ingredient I have is still good, or if I should discard it?
How can I best preserve a food or ingredient?
This broad question is intended as a "general reference" ...
29
votes
8answers
4k views
Why should I soak beans before cooking?
Every recipe says I should soak beans in water overnight before cooking. Why?
I did some experiments. I have tried soaked and unsoaked beans from the same batch. There was no difference in cooking ...
28
votes
17answers
4k views
How to go from instant ramen to gourmet meal? [closed]
I'm looking for some common (or not so common) ingredients that you add to your instant ramen to make it a little closer to a full-blown meal.
28
votes
5answers
7k views
Could coconut cream be used to create a non-dairy ganache for whipping?
A few days ago I made a batch of profiteroles and éclairs, with a minor twist: For half the profiteroles, instead of chantilly cream I used a whipped ganache made from about 2 parts dark or ...
28
votes
7answers
3k views
How to test that a knife is sharp enough?
As per the question - how to I test that a knife is sharp enough?
And/or, how do you know when a knife needs sharpening?
Edit:
Yesterday I attempted (I feel quite successfully) to hone my knives ...
28
votes
10answers
68k views
What's the Ideal Coffee to Water Ratio for a French Press?
What's the ideal amount of coffee to use per cup of water in a French press?
I've looked at various online resources, which all gave me a different amount. Some call for 2 tablespoons per 6 oz of ...
28
votes
8answers
7k views
What's the proper way to dispose of used fats & oils?
Down the drain? Does it depend on the type? With bacon fat, I usually let it solidify in a cup lined with foil, and then throw it out. With used canola oil, I'm not quite sure what to do because it ...
28
votes
4answers
1k views
Is there any truth to the idea that you shouldn't multiply seasonings when multiplying a recipe?
I often hear cooks discuss that idea that if you are multiplying, say, a recipe for 4 to be a for 32, that you shouldn't multiply some herbs, spices, or salt. I've never understood any reason why this ...
28
votes
7answers
35k views
How dangerous is it to refreeze meat that has been thawed?
I've often been told by people that I shouldn't refreeze meat (particularly hamburger meat) once it has been thawed. However, this seems a little silly to me. I can't imagine how meat that hasn't ...
27
votes
10answers
19k views
How to fix food that got extra salty?
I imagine this depends on what the food is. With spaghetti, you can add water or change water if you detect it on time. But what about grilled meat? Or a tomato sauce?
27
votes
9answers
5k views
Should I refrigerate eggs?
I've read a lot of conflicting advice on whether it's advisable to store eggs in the refrigerator. The case against seems twofold: (1) that eggshells are porous, and eggs can take on unwelcome ...
27
votes
6answers
25k views
How do you make a cake lift equally and minimize doming?
Some time ago, I baked a cake (Sachertorte to be exact).
The taste and texture was fine, so my recipe is okay.
My biggest issue was the shape. In the middle it was really a lot higher than on the ...
27
votes
12answers
2k views
How to peel hard boiled eggs easily?
This is one of the most annoying duties in the kitchen, for me.
What are yours tips and tricks to peel hard boiled eggs easily?
27
votes
6answers
2k views
What should I look for in a good, multi-purpose chef's knife?
If I want to buy a good multi-purpose chef's knife, which characteristics should I look for?
27
votes
6answers
3k views
Why are there so many different pasta shapes?
Do the different pasta shapes serve any purpose, or are they just for fun? Some difference appear to be cultural (lo mein vs spaghetti), but there are so many different syles of Italian pasta, is ...
27
votes
5answers
1k views
How do I pick a watermelon at the supermarket?
Lately, every watermelon I bring home form the organic section of the supermarket has not been sweet. Among the small, seedless varieties, I try to pick the densest. How do I know if it is ripe? Can ...
27
votes
7answers
24k views
The secret to hash browns / home fries / breakfast potatoes
I have never been successful in making pan-fried potatoes àla the American diner.
It seems like such a simple concept, but they never turn out right! Usually undercooked & oily, with some parts ...
27
votes
9answers
17k views
Caffeine content of cold-brewed coffee: higher or lower than hot-brewed?
I recently rediscovered the joys of cold-brewing coffee. (One level cup of rough-ground beans, 4-1/2 cups of cold water, steeped overnight and strained, produces a rich coffee concentrate. A shot or ...
26
votes
6answers
2k views
What's the right way to hard boil eggs?
I find I always have trouble scaling the amount of time the eggs should be boiled, cooled, etc. for different-sized batches of hard-boiled eggs.
I've heard a variety of "folk lore"-type rules for how ...
26
votes
11answers
2k views
How should I prepare Risotto
I've been watching a lot of Hells Kitchen, and one of the signature dishes that Chef Ramsay has the chefs prepare is Risotto. This seems like a simple enough dish but often times the seasoned chefs ...
26
votes
11answers
3k views
How to succeed with making omelette
Sounds simple but I seem to fail every time, that is it turns into scrambled eggs instead. How do you make it so that you can flip it over both without it breaking and before it burns?
26
votes
13answers
52k views
How do I butter popcorn without making it soggy?
I've tried buttering my popcorn in the past, and it always turns out inconsistent. A few pieces will be soaked with butter, and others have no butter on them at all.
Perhaps there is a way to get the ...
26
votes
7answers
37k views
Is there a problem with defrosting meat on the counter?
I generally defrost meat on the kitchen counter. A friend of mine suggested that this was dangerous and suggested that I defrost meat in the refrigerator. I am no biologist but it seems to me that as ...
26
votes
5answers
3k views
Pasta: Simmering Water or Rolling Boil?
I recently got into a surprisingly heated argument with a friend about what level of boil you should cook your pasta at. He (an engineer) argued that the heat transfer would remain the same regardless ...
26
votes
10answers
38k views
Does active dry yeast really expire?
I was cleaning out my spice cabinet and deep in the back I found two packages (e.g., six envelopes) of active dry Red Star yeast that expired in March 2009, 15 months ago as of writing this question.
...
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 ...
26
votes
13answers
20k views
How should I cook bacon in an oven?
I've heard of people cooking bacon in an oven by laying the strips out on a cookie sheet. When using this method, how long should I cook the bacon for, and at what temperature?
26
votes
5answers
3k views
What is the difference between sea salt and regular table salt?
I often sea sea salt sold in grinders to be used at the table, with comments about how it tastes better. What sort of taste differences would I notice using sea salt vs table salt, and what other ...
26
votes
3answers
1k views
Why are baking measurements such nice round numbers?
I've heard over and over that when it comes to baking, measurements cannot be ignored, and you need to be very precise. This question covers how precise a measurement of flour should be, for example. ...
26
votes
4answers
866 views
I want to make my own cheese. How do I get started?
I've seen people do their own mozzarella and it seemed easy. Any tips on how to get started (equipment, ingredients, recipes)? What about blue cheese and other stronger cheeses?
26
votes
5answers
12k views
How long do you let a steak from the fridge come up to temperature, and when do you salt it?
Before cooking a steak, you're supposed to let it sit out at room temperature. You're also supposed to salt it. What is the proper timing for these steps? How long do you let the steak come up to ...
25
votes
5answers
3k views
Why does my food turn out poorly using an All-Clad Stainless-Steel Fry Pan?
I have an All-Clad frying pan, the precise one shown below:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005AL5F
I made this purchase out of curiosity after reading about the benefits of this professional ...
25
votes
11answers
19k views
How long can I keep eggs in the refrigerator?
To keep eggs useful and healthy, what is the average time I can keep them in refrigerator? Can I freeze, and re-use them after melting, or will they be useless or not healthy to eat?
25
votes
9answers
2k views
Tips for a small kitchen
I enjoy cooking but have a seriously small kitchen. There is only about 3 ft of work surface and that has kettle and toaster on it. I have a fair amount of shelf space but still need to larder goods ...
25
votes
7answers
9k views
When you cook spaghetti, do you add olive oil to the boiling water?
Many people (at least in Germany) think that Italians add olive oil to the boiling water for spaghetti. However, Italians tend to tell the opposite (from my experience).
So, can you please state ...
25
votes
9answers
14k views
Is there a magic ingredient that keeps ice-cream soft?
I have bought a electric ice-cream churner, I have tried so many different flavours, different recipes, used alcohols.
Have read previous questions and a don't believe that leaving ice-cream out to ...
25
votes
7answers
8k views
Is it safe to eat raw eggs?
I have a friend that is training for a marathon and he drinks 6 raw eggs before running (Yes, like Rocky) - is this safe?
25
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the purpose of creaming butter with sugar in cookie recipes?
I got distracted while assembling the dry ingredients for a cookie recipe and added the sugars, which were supposed to be creamed with the butter first. Fortunately, the sugar was added last and I was ...
24
votes
9answers
2k views
What is the point of a salt mill?
Salt mills and pepper mills often come in pairs. I understand the purpose of the pepper mill: It breaks open the pepper corn and releases the aroma. But there is, to my knowledge, no such thing as a ...
24
votes
10answers
1k views
What is the best way to clean a grater?
A grater is a very useful instrument in the kitchen and it's fun to use. You can use it for a lot of food: cheese, citrus fruit peel, nutmeg, all kinds of vegetables, etc.
But cleaning a grater is a ...
24
votes
3answers
892 views
Does freezing butter or margarine change the properties?
I have a lot of butter & margarine and looking for ways to keep it for longer time.
Will freezing them change melting point, flavor, or anything that could be undesirable when cooking?
Update:
...
24
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I make a chocolate cup that looks like the seaweed on a sushi roll?
I want to make a dessert that simulates a salmon roe sushi (like this) using rice pudding and spherified melon juice with a chocolate "seaweed" wrapping. But I can't figure out how to make the seaweed ...
24
votes
7answers
8k views
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 color of, say, a white sauce. We tried ...
24
votes
2answers
4k views
Why do you have to rinse rice?
I'm interested in learning to make my own sushi.
Every guide I have read has stressed that the rice has to be rinsed thoroughly.
The bags of rice I generally buy say not to rinse the rice in order ...
24
votes
7answers
7k views
Can I boil pasta in a pasta sauce?
Is it ok to boil pasta in pan with a pasta sauce?
Is there any reason to boil pasta separately (and then add the sauce)?
24
votes
3answers
16k views
Should I peel kiwifruit?
What should I do with the kiwi peel?
I've got no problem with its taste and feel
and eat them whole when I'm by myself.
Is it in any way bad for my health?
23
votes
10answers
12k views
How do you cook a steak like those found in fine steakhouses?
I went to a 5* restaurant once, the steak was unbelievable. You could cut it with a butter knife, it was fat and juicy, pink in the middle, great stuff.
When I cook it at home, I seem to just slice ...
