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Milk Street Q&A

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General

Asked Feb 10, 2023 by Clare B.

Sesame Oil and Sesame Seed Substitutes for Sesame Allergies

Hello. I am allergic to sesame and am wondering if you have a suggestion for an oil that would be a good substitution. I am also allergic to pecans, walnuts and Brazil nuts but can eat peanuts, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts and cashews. Would one of those nut oils be a good taste substitute for the sesame?. …And if I wanted to make za’atar could I just leave out the sesame seeds and still have it taste good? Thank you!

Answered by Elizabeth Mindreau

Hello Clare B., At Milk Street we usually call for a roasted sesame oil for its characteristic nutty flavor in Asian dishes or as a finishing oil. Roasted peanut oil would be a good substitute. For the sesame seed-free za'atar, you can substitute toasted cumin, coriander and/or poppy seeds for the sesame seeds. The Milk Street Team

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Milk Street Recipes

Asked Feb 02, 2023 by Andrew E.

Does Milk Street Have a French Onion Soup Recipe

DO you have a recipe for French Onion Soup? Can you do a segment on making it? Great for the winter time.

Answered by Elizabeth Mindreau

Hello Andrew, We do not have a recipe for French Onion Soup in our repertoire at the time. You could try our recipe for Habanero-Onion Soup with Lime, it's tangy and delicious and full of tender onions. Best, The Milk Street Team

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Baking

Asked Jan 22, 2023 by Beth W.

Is Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Ok for Baking Under 400f

I have been making a variety of Milk Street tray bakes and am always leery about using extra vergin olive oil so use a super light olive oil instead. Is regular EVOO fine for baking under 400 degrees?

Answered by Elizabeth Mindreau

Hello Beth, Thank you for using our recipes for your tray bakes. Extra virgin olive oil is fine for baking below 400 degrees. When the oil is mixed in with other ingredients, as a marinade or seasoning, rather than just oiling the surface of the baking dish, it should be fine at even higher temperatures. Best, The Milk Street Team

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Baking

Asked Jan 21, 2023 by Tamara C.

Does Torta Al Limone Really Use Salted Butter

The recipe appeared in the Jan-Feb Milk Street magazine. Has anyone made this cake? I’ve never seen a cake recipe that calls for salted butter. There’s also 1/2 teaspoon salt. I’m wondering if the “salted” butter is a mistake. Planning on baking this cake tomorrow, any response would be appreciated! Thanks, Tamara

Answered by Elizabeth Mindreau

Hello Tamara, Our recipe developers made the cake multiple times until it met with the approval of everyone at Milk Street. While it may seem unusual to use salted butter in baking, we find that it generally balances the sweetness and other flavors in baked goods. We also adjust the added salt in recipes accordingly. Best, The Milk Street Team

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Milk Street Recipes

Asked Jan 02, 2023 by Joanne G.

Where to Find the Briny Shrimp Email Recipe Shrimp Rougaille

I received a Milk Street E-mail in October titled "Briny Shrimp Pop in Garlic-Chili Tomato Sauce". Can't find the recipe and it was not included in that e-mail. In addition to the current problem of entering a recipe ingredient and getting innumerable pages of recipes, some of which are unrelated to the ingredient, I am quite frustrated with your "search" function.

Answered by Elizabeth Mindreau

Hello Joanne, We are sorry for any trouble you have had. This link should lead you to a recipe for Shrimp Rougaille, which is the official name of the recipe referred to in the email. That link should have been included in the email under that name as well. I will pass your comments about the recipe search function along to our technical team. Best, The Milk Street Team

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Customer Service

Asked Dec 30, 2022 by Hisao O.

Why Milk Street Insider Orders Still Show Shipping Charges

I have 3 items in my cart totally $157.00 why is there $17 in shipping? Also I have a year subscription, I though i get free shipping fore bing a member

Answered by Tonya Johnson

Hi Hisao, Thank you for reaching out! Please contact the store directly at store@177milkstreet.com and they will be happy to assist you. Best, Milk Street

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Products

Asked Dec 23, 2022 by Neil T.

Best Knife Sharpening System Alternative to Edge Pro Apex

Hi, I’m wondering if you can help me in selecting a new knife sharpening system. For years I’ve used an Edge Pro Apex system and strop between uses on my good Japanese and German knifes.  I have been extremely happy with it but I’m finding that lately I’m hesitant to get it out and set it up.  This may be because of age and or laziness. I use a Chefs Choice 120 on my wife’s “kitchen” knifes and have found it to been satisfactory. So now I think that I would like to replace my Edge Pro Apex system with something that I will regularly use as needed.  Currently I am interested in using either a Brod & Taylor Professional VG2 Knife Sharpener, a Work Sharp Culinary E5 and Upgrade Kit, or a Chefs Choice 1520 sharpener. I would appreciate your comments about these items or any other device that I should be considering. Thanks

Answered by Chris Kimball

We love Work Sharp - their basic system is under $100 which is a bargain. Noticed that your comment was from Dec 2022! Assume you have already made a decision by now! There is also a new worksharp system coming out that is $299 - cool but probably way more than most folks want to spend.

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