CookingAsked Dec 20, 2019 by Mary A.
The most basic of seasonings -- at least in US cuisine -- are salt and black pepper.
Since all living creatures have an absolute need for sodium, it's pretty obvious why we evolved to like salt.
But why pepper? Is there any reason other than because that's what we're used to?
Answered by Matthew Card
Western cooking's dependence on pepper is a complicated story tracing back hundreds of years, trading routes and European colonialism. Pepper's punch adds accent to dishes and a mild spiciness, which helps define a dish's flavor. However, there are lots of ways to do that if black pepper isn't your thing. In Morocco, cumin seed is often used instead of pepper. In Turkey, smoky-fruity tasting chilies, like Aleppo or Urfa pepper, are used as table side garnishes.
Read MoreAsked Dec 20, 2019 by Judy T.
I made a half recipe of this delicious dish using the timing for the full recipe. Can anyone please offer the timing adjustment for the half recipe? Mine seemed over cooked, but still tasty.
Answered by Matthew Card
I'd probably begin checking at 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Read MoreAsked Dec 16, 2019 by Emily Z.
In the "creamy polenta with savory sauces" recipe, the texture described in the recipe is quite different than the texture in the accompanying images. Do you have any recommendations for achieving the firmer text so that it can be cut into squares? Thank you!
Answered by Lynn Clark
Hi Emily - the recipe for Fried Polenta is linked are the bottom of the Creamy Polenta recipe. Here is the link - https://www.177milkstreet.com/recipes/fried-polenta. Hope that helps! Best, Lynn C.
Read MoreAsked Dec 09, 2019 by Mike B.
In the Sept/Oct magazine it says "The next day, I return so Pinna can teach me first to make fregola from scratch—easily the simplest pasta to make by hand (see sidebar on p. 18)—then to use it in the seafood dish I’d eaten the night before." I cannot find the sidebar in the digital version. Please give me this recipe.
Answered by Lynn Clark
Hi Mike - If you go here you will find the sidebar in the box on the left side toward the bottom of the page entitled "Homemade Pasta at Your Fingertips." Hope that helps! Best, Lynn C.
Read MoreAsked Dec 05, 2019 by Howard C.
I can saute mine for an hour and they don't brown. I use sweet onions -- is that why?
Answered by Lynn Clark
Hi Howard - I definitely don't think it's the fact that you are using sweet onions. I caramelize Vidalia (or a combo of Vidalia and yellow) onions all the time. It could just be time. Sometimes, over medium-low heat, it can take over an hour to caramelize onions properly. You do want to start them over medium-high to get them softened and then turn them down to medium-low once they soften. You also want to make sure that the pan you are using is stainless steel, carbon steel or cast iron (in other words, not nonstick) and large enough to fit the amount of onions you are cooking. If it's too small and the onions are overcrowded they will steam when they should be browning. A 12" pan can hold about 2 sliced onions. Finally, using butter (or butter and oil) as the fat in the pan can often help the browning thanks to the milk solids in the butter. Making caramelized onions - the classic way - really takes a fair amount of time, attention, and patience. There are some shortcut recipes out there that you could try if you want something quicker, but they can be tricky to avoid burning and, in my opinion, don't produce the same result. If I were to pick one to recommend, it would be this one. Hope that helps! Best, Lynn C.
Read MoreAsked Dec 05, 2019 by John G.
I made the Brown Ale Turkey and Gravy recipe for Thanksgiving. I followed every step as written and still ended up with virtually no drippings for a gravy. I had a 14 lb farm fresh turkey, the exact amount of basting liquid, the oven was at 350 with the rack in the lower middle position (2nd rack from the bottom), and covered loosely with foil. When I took the foil off after 1.5 hours, there were no drippings. What liquid that was there originally had basically become a black mess along the edges of the roasting pan. I had to add about 1.5-2 cups of stock just to be sure nothing would start smoking.
Any thoughts on why this happened? It's a stainless steel roasting pan, large enough for the bird but not huge. Could the pan be getting too hot? I should note this recipe is not the first time this has been an issue. I never get the drippings that are expected.
Answered by Lynn Clark
Hi - Thanks for your question. I'm wondering if your oven might be too hot. Do you use an oven thermometer to confirm the actual temperature inside your oven? Aside from that, did you confirm that you had 2/3 cup of the beer reduction after straining out the solids and before whisking in the butter? It's possible that, if you only measured before straining, you lost some liquid that was left in the solids. Did you add the solids and celery to the pan as well? These will add some moisture to the pan as well and prevent burning. Since you say you have this problem with other recipes I wonder if it's the oven temperature though. I would be surprised that the liquid would evaporate that quickly in a foil-covered pan at 350 degrees even without drippings, If you don't have an oven thermometer I would grab one and check the actual temperature of your oven. If it's off you can have it professionally calibrated or adjust the temperature to account for the difference. Best, Lynn C.
Read MoreAsked Dec 05, 2019 by Jennifer E.
The recipe for the pumpkin tart looks delicious, but a family member who will be joining us for the holidays has an egg allergy. Is there any way to substitute the eggs? Thank you!
Answered by Lynn Clark
Hi Jennifer - I would try using aquafaba - the starchy liquid produced by cooked chickpeas - in place of the eggs. This is a common substitute in vegan cooking and baking. You can find more information on aquafaba on our website: https://www.177milkstreet.com/2019/06/what-is-aquafaba. Good luck! Best, Lynn C.
Read MoreAsked Dec 05, 2019 by Leanne H.
Trying a new (to me) pie "Matcha Pie" for T'day. I live at 5200 ft in Colorado. Do I need to modify recipe/cooking time for high altitude? It's basically a cream pie, what do you think? I don't adjust my fruit pies, but I haven't made any cream pies. Yes, snow day and making a practice pie before Thursday😉
Answered by Elizabeth Mindreau
Hi Leanne – Our recipes are developed at sea level in Boston, so I'm afraid that we are not qualified to provide high altitude instructions. We recommend using a trusted high altitude baking source for suggestions on adapting recipes.
Read MoreAsked Dec 05, 2019 by Leanne H.
Matcha pie with no adjustments to recipe for high altitude (~5200 ft) turned out fine. Everyone enjoyed it at the T'Day shindig. Tried to post picture, but would not upload.
Answered by Lynn Clark
Hi Leanne - Glad to hear this worked out so well! High altitude baking can be tricky. Best, Lynn C.
Read MoreAsked Dec 04, 2019 by Jason F.
If one were to make something like a chicken (or turkey!) pot pie ahead by a day, would it be best to keep the filling and the crust separate until ready to bake or would it be ok to chill the filling and form the pie and keep it in the fridge for a day until you are ready to bake it? If I was freezing the pie I wouldn't worry, but I wonder if the filling sitting on an uncooked crust for a day in the fridge would ruin the crust.
Thanks!
Answered by Lynn Clark
Hi Jason - I would recommend holding them separately in the refrigerator and adding the filling to the pie plate right before baking. You can roll out the top crust ahead and store it flat in the fridge. Just let it soften a bit so that it's malleable before adding it to the top of the pie. Alternatively, you can fully assemble the pie, freeze it and then bake directly from frozen. It will take a little bit longer to bake, but the frozen crust will hold up well in the oven. I fear a pre-assembled pot pie would get soggy in the refrigerator. If you decide to assemble and freeze, just make sure to cool your filling to room temperature before adding it the pastry. Hope that helps! Best, Lynn C.
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