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1500 questions
66
votes
5 answers
Why do you need to heat the pan before heating the olive oil?
In the Netflix documentary Salt Fat Acid Heat, Samin Nosrat says this when she is making sofrito and she is about to put olive oil into the pan:
This is one of those important things that I think home cooks always
forget, is how important it is…
Josh Withee
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66
votes
7 answers
What are some good resources for learning Knife Skills?
What are some good resources for learning knife skills? Specifically, is there anywhere that I can see video demonstration of different slicing techniques and when those techniques are appropriate?
jessecurry
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66
votes
2 answers
What is the difference between a prawn and a shrimp?
Are prawns and shrimps the same thing or are they different? Basically, I think they're the same but one of my friends was arguing that they're similar but definitely not the same thing and they differ in size.
Divi
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66
votes
9 answers
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 been bought fresh and local could find its way to…
Daniel Bingham
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65
votes
4 answers
Why does plastic never dry properly in a dishwasher?
Whenever I get tasked with unloading the dishwasher, I'm always amazed at the amount of water that's still stuck (always in droplets) to our plastic kitchen utensils and storage containers.
We have a dishwasher with three racks, but it doesn't seem…
Tinkeringbell
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65
votes
9 answers
Why wooden sticks for ice cream bars?
Why are wooden sticks usually used for ice cream bars?
This seems to hold for every commercial ice cream bar I have ever had, yet I can't find the reason... Why not use plastic instead, for example?
I am not an expert, but I presume plastic can be…
Bichoy
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65
votes
10 answers
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 long as the meat doesn't get warm defrosting it…
ahsteele
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64
votes
7 answers
How Did I Explode A Saucepan?
I am a complete amateur when it comes to the world of cooking.
My recent attempts to teach myself have unfortunately lead to me needing to ask:
How did I explode my saucepan?
I'd put some garlic/onion/olive oil in the saucepan and left it on low…
JoshuaMee
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62
votes
7 answers
Why did flatbread dominate the Middle East but Europe adopted raised breads?
This may be a history question so please move it if appropriate.
Culturally, local ingredients dominate cooking recipes and national dishes (e.g., soy in SE Asia), but why do Europeans add a raising agent to bread items to make loaf bread whilst…
Venture2099
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62
votes
15 answers
Best way to remove fruit flies from your kitchen
I have a confession to make.
I was lazy, I didn't think it would cause any harm, but it did.
And now they are back. The fruit flies have taken over my kitchen, and I need help fighting them.
Story: I was preparing a must for homebrewing a batch of…
Korthalion
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62
votes
4 answers
How is sushi supposed to be eaten?
Yesterday I was at a banquet that was serving sushi rolls. Some had rice on the outside and others had seaweed on the outside. I wasn't able to find chopsticks. In terms of etiquette is it alright to eat sushi by hand? If relevant I'm in North…
Celeritas
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62
votes
13 answers
Why do we peel carrots?
So I was sitting there, looking down at my counter, realizing that I probably had a good carrot or two of shavings just going to waste. (well, I'll compost it, but it's non-food at that point).
Is there any reason we peel carrots and don't just…
Joe
- 80,708
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60
votes
11 answers
How do you funnel food off a cutting board?
After I cut or chop something up on a cutting board I have the problem of funneling the pieces into a bowl or other container and it typically makes a mess.
Normally what I try to do is scrape the pieces with a knife into the bowl or whatever, but…
Drisheen Colcannon
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60
votes
1 answer
What constitutes the majority of meat?
Looking at 100g chicken breast for example, I see that ~30g is protein and ~4 is fat. What is the rest of the 100g piece made of? Is that all connective tissues? Fiber? Something else?
shadesofdarkred
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60
votes
7 answers
Is there a quick, easy, mess-free way to peel an orange (or grapefruit)?
Just what the title says, I don't enjoy getting my fingers all messy and I don't like getting a lot of pith. Is there a better way than just...peeling?
Jolenealaska
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