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1500 questions
42
votes
11 answers
How do I make prettier fried eggs?
I have no problem cooking fried eggs to my desired doneness or keeping them intact while cooking and serving.
But eggs cooked by professional chefs and diner line cooks look like this:
The white is round and mostly white; the yolk is basically…
hairboat
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42
votes
9 answers
Pasta: is simmering equivalent to roiling 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 of the level of the boil and that anything above…
Chris
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42
votes
9 answers
Why is there cow cheese but no pig cheese?
I have always wondered what there is no cheese made from other milks other than cow, goat or sheep. Are they not suitable for humans? Do they taste bad? Is it even possible to make dairy products with them?
Brizio
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42
votes
14 answers
How to quickly and safely defrost chicken?
What is the safest, quick way to defrost chicken? Microwave? Running water over it?
Smashery
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42
votes
6 answers
Why does a brown paper bag speed ripening?
I often see this technique suggested as a way to speed ripening. Why does it?
Also, is there any data available on how fast it ripens comparatively?
hobodave
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41
votes
30 answers
How do you reduce static in a coffee grinder?
Is there a way to reduce/eliminate the static buildup in a burr grinder? I've tried a few different coffee grinders and inevitably on removing the grinds bin, I get a spray of coffee all over the counter.
Eclipse
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41
votes
5 answers
What temperatures should I keep my refrigerator and freezer set at?
For a refrigerator, if it's cooler, items like milk and meat last a bit longer. However if I set it close to freezing then some items start showing frost on them. What temperature should I set my refrigerator to for best overall results?
Since the…
Sam Harwell
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41
votes
5 answers
What's the difference between latte, mocha, and all the other drinks on a coffee-house menu?
There are many different coffee-based drinks on an average coffee-house menu. But what makes them different from each other? What are the differences / distinguishing characteristics between: latte, caffe misto, cappuccino, mocha, macchiato,…
KatieK
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41
votes
16 answers
How to clean mushrooms?
Some people say cleaning with water removes the taste from mushrooms.
But if I don't use water the mushrooms will carry a lot of dust.
Do you have any techniques for cleaning mushroom so I don't eat crap but don't spoil the mushroom?
Daniel Moura
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40
votes
9 answers
What qualities to look for in a cut of beef destined for "well done"?
The major cooking advice is to buy a certain cut (sirloin, etc..) and cook it to rare-degrees.
However, my guests don't like beef that has any pink inside or "blood" (I know it isn't blood) oozing out. I don't assume the same cuts still produce the…
DraxDomax
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40
votes
6 answers
Which method of killing the lobster would cause the least pain and distress?
The most common way of killing a lobster is to put it into boiling water, however we can read on Wikipedia page that it is one of the methods which cause pain and distress.
The killing methods most likely to cause pain and distress are:
Placing…
kenorb
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40
votes
7 answers
Why are certain fruit & veg bought in UK supermarkets tasteless?
I have been to Italy, Greece & Turkey. Fruit & Veg in these places tastes amazing! So much flavour, really awesome!
In the UK when I buy the same fruit or veg, it is absolutely tasteless, it is just crunchy water!
Why is this? I used to think it was…
J86
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40
votes
12 answers
Why use onions in cooking?
Onions are an ingredient in almost every recipe. I hate the taste(flavour) of them (I know I might be the only one). I always try to avoid eating them and try to pick them out of the food. Seeing that I am the only one in the house that doesn’t like…
user43864
40
votes
6 answers
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?
apaderno
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40
votes
6 answers
What does "natural" actually mean?
More and more I see "natural" or "all natural" labels on the slightly-cheaper alternatives next to "organic" products, and I find it somewhat confusing. I know that (for example) tofu does not occur in nature, so obviously "natural" does not refer…
Robert
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