Does bicarb and vinegar clean? When baking soda is mixed with vinegar, the acid breaks down baking soda, releasing carbon dioxide gas that can help lift dirt from the surfaces being cleaned. Is vinegar or baking soda better for cleaning? Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and a fine abrasive, which makes it excellent at…
What do the symbols mean on an induction hob? The symbol of induction hobs resembles four loops of wires. Most of the induction-compatible cookware comes with the word Induction on the bottom. The wire symbol on the induction hob represents the copper coil underneath the glass surface. It uses the magnetic field to produce heat….
What causes crusty bread? A thick and hard crust on your bread is primarily caused by overbaking or baking in a temperature that’s too high. Make sure that you adjust the temperature of your oven to suit the type of bread that you’re making. How do I keep my bread crust crusty? Simple: a long,…
What if I left my turkey out overnight to thaw? If you thaw raw meat at room temperature for two hours or more, it will be subject to rapid bacteria growth. Is thawing a turkey at room temperature a good idea? Nope. If you’ve done it and gotten away with it, you’re lucky. Does turkey…
Why is my melted chocolate clumping? When chocolate is melted, its ingredientsmainly cocoa powder, sugar, and cocoa butterdisperse evenly, creating a fluid mass. But if even a tiny amount of moisture is introduced, the liquid and the sugar will form a syrup to which the cocoa particles will cling, thereby creating grainy clumps. Is steaming…
Should I Skim fat off beef bourguignon? You want your stew to be rich, but not so decadent that it’s a gut bomb. Skim the top of your stew and remove as much of the fat as you can before serving. If you’re making your stew ahead, skip this stepwhen you refrigerate, the fat on…
What is the difference between beef tenderloin and Chateaubriand? The chateaubriand is cut from the tenderloin, which is part of the loin primal. This is the same sub-primal as the filet mignon, the origin of the most tender steak cut. This highly-prized cut of beef only represents 2-3% of the total animal. Can I cut…
Why are my canned pickles mushy? If the pickles are soft, they are spoiled from the yeast fermentation. Don’t use them. Using too weak a salt brine or vinegar solution may cause soft or slippery pickles, as can using moldy garlic or storing the pickles at too warm a temperature. These pickles are spoiled and…
How much beef do I need for 6 adults? When Meat Is the Main: When cooking something like steak, roast, chicken, or pork, where meat is the main feature of the meal and paired with a few side dishes, we recommend about 1/2 pound (eight ounces) per person, up to 3/4 (12 ounces) pound for…
How do you keep bread soft after baking? Store airtight with the two cut halves facing each other and pressed together. Wrapping bread to retain moisture keeps it soft, though it robs crusty artisan bread of its crispy crust. Wrapping in plastic (or foil) rather than cloth keeps bread soft longer. Can you steam regular…
