On Topic Discussion Cooking questions

[rareboy]

This might be better than my solutions!

This is where practical chemistry is something I wish I had learned early on.

Vinegar is the answer to any cooked on proteins on cookware and to clean up when making bread....because it is all about breaking down the protein strands.

And of course, the answer was always there in how you cook...it is all about de-glazing the pans with acids to create sauces.

The flour thing I realized when we were using hot vinegar to strip old wallpaper, which of course was applied with flour glue.

I am a big fan of the vinegar/lemon juice combo, although I have to admit, I haven't had a spray bottle handy until I read your suggestion!

 

[Alistair]

Is there An easy way to ripen avocado? I just got a good deal on some but they are all hard.

 

[LoveMyPeppermill]

@Alistair said: I’ve got a thick steak, asparagus and fresh corn on the cob.

And how do you cook steak to get it to come out well?

 

[Alistair]

And how do you cook steak to get it to come out well?

I like pan searing it. Topping it with garlic herb butter after it’s done.

 

[LoveMyPeppermill]

I like pan searing it. Topping it with garlic herb butter after it’s done.

Somehow I can never do that without setting off the smoke alarm.

 

[LeicsDom]

I have just bought an air fryer.
I know they were all the rage a year or so ago but I wanted to wait til the price came down
So far it isn't as super quick as the hype suggests but a 20% saving on cooking time and temp seems to be a good deal

 

[rareboy]

Is there An easy way to ripen avocado? I just got a good deal on some but they are all hard.

The best way is to leave them on the counter and wait for that magical one hour window when they are perfect...just before they turn over-ripe.

To speed the process....Throw an unripe avocado into a paper bag with a ripe banana, fold down the opening, and leave it at room temperature on your countertop for a day or two to accelerate the avocado ripening process. (Bon Appetite)

How to Ripen Avocados When They're Too Hard

You've been there: It's the morning before you need to use an avocado, which is as solid as a rock. Don't panic. There's still hope.

www.bonappetit.com

 

[rareboy]

I have just bought an air fryer.
I know they were all the rage a year or so ago but I wanted to wait til the price came down
So far it isn't as super quick as the hype suggests but a 20% saving on cooking time and temp seems to be a good deal

Our new range has an air fryer setting and so far, I think it is going to be great, once we figure out time and temps. There is such variability in the recipes and instructions out there that it is tricky to get just then right timing.

 

[rareboy]

Somehow I can never do that without setting off the smoke alarm.

And that it how you know you are doing it right.

 

[LoveMyPeppermill]

And that it how you know you are doing it right.

If only my neighbors agreed. And the neighbors in the downstairs apartment are the landlord's son and daughter-in-law, so ...

 

[rareboy]

I have to say that we only grill steaks outside because of the smoke...

 

[NotHardUp1]

Anyone have any pointers for washing melted-cheese residue of your dishes without gunking up the sponge? (I'm having summer squash with onions and cheddar again.)

It also works to simply soak in very hot water and then use a plastic stiff dish brush to loosen it. Works very well for me, and the brush will rinse free in hot soapy water. I never put my sponges or scrubbies on cheese. Just makes a ruinous mess.

 

[me203]

I've gotten around the steak & smoke issue for years by simply never cooking them!

 

[Vannie]

Sometime

It also works to simply soak in very hot water and then use a plastic stiff dish brush to loosen it. Works very well for me, and the brush will rinse free in hot soapy water. I never put my sponges or scrubbies on cheese. Just makes a ruinous mess.

I just throw my dishes out and buy new ones. So there.

 

[me203]

Sometime

I just throw my dishes out and buy new ones. So there.

Or one could donate to Goodwill. As I think of it, this might explain some of what I've seen there!

 

[Vannie]

Or one could donate to Goodwill. As I think of it, this might explain some of what I've seen there!

First NotHardUp disses my scrubbies! And now you!

 

[LoveMyPeppermill]

It also works to simply soak in very hot water and then use a plastic stiff dish brush to loosen it. Works very well for me, and the brush will rinse free in hot soapy water. I never put my sponges or scrubbies on cheese. Just makes a ruinous mess.

That's what I've been doing -- only "very hot" means boiling, straight out of a tea kettle. Nothing cooler has worked. And so I was hoping for a method that didn't risk scalding my fingers.

 

[purina]

Use a long-handled dishwashing brush instead of your fingers.

 

[pigface]

That's what I've been doing -- only "very hot" means boiling, straight out of a tea kettle. Nothing cooler has worked. And so I was hoping for a method that didn't risk scalding my fingers.

Sodium hydroxide (granules) will really clean up anything, (but don't use on aluminium) and it's harsh on the skin.

 

[Vannie]

Use a long-handled dishwashing brush instead of your fingers.

Why does everything turn into sex around here?