Latest Cooking Answers

Do plastic cutting boards dull knives faster than wood boards?

I've heard on numerous occasions that plastic cutting boards dull knives faster than wood boards. I use a large wooden cutting board often, but recently I've be

How to avoid collapsing bread?

I know there are already similar questions but I thought I would share my baking process to get more specific advice. I'm currently using a variation of the Fre

How do you sterilize a non-metal canning funnel?

Non-metal canning funnels exist, but how can you use them safely? (For example, Ball makes one) Specifically, is it possible to sterilize them safely, without d

How to reduce/remove smell when cooking salmon fin soup?

I usually use simple recipes for salmon fin soup (tomato soup + salmon fin with some seasoning mostly). It tastes good but the smell of salmon fin is not. What

When to add salt to dosa batter?

Just wondering when you add salt to dosa batter? I guess it depends on where you live (eg climate) - for example I live in not hot nor cold city, and I would ge

Is double fermented kefir safe to eat?

I have a bottle of store bought, commercially produced kefir that seems to have undergone a second fermentation in my fridge. It's normally tart and thick, but

De'Longhi 7 qt stand mixer

I have a De'Longhi 7 qt. stand mixer that I believe is now manufactured by Kenwood in America. I would love to make pasta but the attachment is no longer availa

What are some effective tips for cooking bacon in the microwave?

I typically cook my bacon in the oven or stove top. A relative of mine saw me do this and recommended using the microwave instead. I have two questions on this:

Do plastic cutting boards harbor more bacteria than wood boards?

I've heard on numerous occasions that plastic cutting boards harbor more bacteria than wooden cutting boards. I use a large wooden cutting board often, but rece

What are some easy methods to cook a top blade steak without stock or wine?

I would like to ask about cooking a top blade steak. I am currently out of stock and wine, and am curious about slow cooking it in an oven, although not really

How are commercially dried cranberries dried?

I'm trying to clarify how exactly commercially available dried cranberries, like craisins, are dried. I'm specifically trying to research the topic to understan

Botulism in oil packed foods

We hear all about botulism in garlic oil and the needed preventive measures. Is this only true of garlic or is it just more common. For example I make a oil pac

How long can french buttercream last in the fridge/freezer?

French buttercream contains egg yolks that have been cooked via hot liquid sugar water. How long can I safely store this in an airtight container at 0ºC?

Is it possible to use puree in a siphon whip?

does someone have experience with putting puree in a siphon whip, to achieve a fluffier texture? Does it work?

Building pressure chamber for fizzy fruit - PVC safety

I'm building a pressure chamber with some basic brass plumbing parts and a cylinder of CO2. The goal here is to infuse fruit with CO2. I'm aware of the various

Should raisins be washed before eating?

I saw someone washing raisins before serving them in a bowl. I had never seen that before. Just wondering if raisins need to be washed before eating.

What species is Chinese dried mushrooms (冬菇)?

I don't speak any Chinese, but I asked some Hong Kong vendors and they wrote down "冬菇" for me. Some websites call these Shiitake Mushrooms, but is

What happens if I use fresh mushrooms to make vegetarian Chinese mushroom soup (冬菇湯)?

What changes if I use fresh mushrooms, rather than dried, to make Chinese mushroom soup (冬菇湯)? I'll be shunning meat. Note that unlike West

Can I soak fresh mushrooms in water, like how Hong Kong chefs soak dried mushrooms in water?

Some time ago, I dined at Celestial Court Chinese Restaurant at Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, Kowloon, Hong Kong. I loved their mushroom soup (冬

Why do small things taste better than big things?

Small berries have more flavor than large berries, small scallops have more flavor than large scallops, cherry tomatoes have more flavor than beefsteak tomatoes

Can yeast leaven cornmeal? [duplicate]

Can yeast leaven cornmeal? If not, why? The lack of gluten?

Swapping sugar for something less calorie dense but keeping the volume

I have a friend who bakes for me. I suggested that we swap sugar for Stevia or something even less calorie dense. She's worried, though, that since the volume o

How can I keep extra virgin olive oil cool and usable, while it's hot in the summer and when the fridge solidifies the oil?

I've read Gut by Guilia Enders. It says that extra virgin olive oil cleans your heart vessels and has other beneficial effects. The oil binds free radicals in y

How to make potato wheel not stick to mold

I used a spiralizer on a potato and wrapped it tightly around the outside of a metal ring mold. When I deep fry it, it sticks to the mold, even after using non-

Do eggs have to be very fresh for baking?

Assuming an egg is old but still good (not rotten or otherwise detrimental to health compared to a fresh egg): Does it make a difference whether I use this egg

What are the advantages of seasoned cast iron vs enameled cast iron?

I have a 10" Lodge skillet that I enjoy using, but would like a larger (~15") version for using stove top, on my BBQ (gas weber and big green egg), and in the o

How do I get better at tasting?

I think this question might be borderline off-topic. I am open to suggestions for making it fit the SA format better Many drinks (coffee, whisk(e)y, wine) are

Difference between Welsh rabbit and beer cheese dip

When I have looked at recipes for Welsh rabbit (rarebit), and beer cheese dip / soup, they seem very similar. Does one make a decent substitute for the other?

How to improve contact between non-flat pan and stovetop

I have a slightly concave steel paella pan, but I want it to get a nice even heat from my flat glass top stove. Has anyone had and solved this problem? First

Keeping meat dry after salting it

One of the tips I always get about cooking is seasoning meat before I put it in the pan for a sear, but one of the other tips I get is to keep the meat dry so i