# If you can cook you know that.... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 29, 2012, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268 "2012-10-29T22:25:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/41 "2012-10-30T15:17:17Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Is that all high proof alcohol so could I substitute rum in a crust for chocolate cream pie? I don’t see why not, but I don’t speak from experience. My main concern would be the flavor. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/42 "2012-10-30T15:22:18Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > . . . I hate frozen potatoes in stews and soups so I’ve started freezing just stewed meat and broth/gravy. I toss it into a pot, add in potatoes, onions and carrots and an hour later it’s like I’ve been cooking for hours. Not so good for lunches but great for dinners. The freezing process after making my bi-annual Vat O’Stew (or O’soup) can really mess up everything else in the freezer. Plus, I like my green veggies a little less cooked than the rest of the Vat Veggies. So, I use frozen peas or green beans now. Fill the storage container or bag about 3/4 with fresh Vatty goodness, then top off with frozen green veggies. Gives the cooling process a major head start, and after re-warming the green stuff is cooked perfectly. Extra added bonus: No greenish tinge to light-colored broths. St. Cad: I’ve never tried it, but Rum has a lot more sugar in it, and I expect it would brown too much on the bottom. Worth a try, but not right before a dinner party. FWIW ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/43 "2012-10-30T16:55:55Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > You can do all of your cooking with cast iron and one stainless pan. > > Never put your knives in the dishwasher. (Recently taught to Mrs. Cad. Thank god for a good steel). > > (The FoodTV rule) If you are a pastry chef you are the complete package, or in other words if you are a savory chef chances are close to 100% that you are afraid of making dessert. > > (The Cooking Channel rule) As a whole, today’s TV chefs are a step below Julia Child, Graham Kerr (before and after he went healthy), Yan and the Froog. > > (The Cad dating rule) If you are a guy, the statement, “I love to cook.” is an extremely successful pickup line. I must be the only person on the planet who doesn’t like cast iron. Also, there are dishwasher knife holders out there. I don’t do it, but it can be done. Knives with wooden handles are a generally a dishwasher no-no, however. ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/44 "2012-10-30T16:58:29Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > . . .and the alcohol cooks out, so even anabaptists can eat it. But then they’d have to have it in the house. 🙂 Not all of them feel like that, certainly, but its common enough around here. Interestingly, the Amish (at least some sects) will make wine and beer to drink but will not purchase alcohol because they do not wish to support the alcohol industry. At any rate, I have no such qualms and I’m eager to try it. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/45 "2012-10-30T17:16:09Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > . . .and the alcohol cooks out, so even anabaptists can eat it. [Except maybe not](http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/11/alcohol-doesnt-really-cook-out-of-food-in-most-cases/) ---
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/46 "2012-10-30T17:28:22Z")
When you get creative with a recipe, WRITE IT DOWN. That way you can recreate your successes in the future. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/47 "2012-10-30T17:44:12Z")
Baking soda isn’t a substitute for baking powder. ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/48 "2012-10-30T17:55:49Z")
Never pick up something without knowing where you are going to put it down. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/49 "2012-10-30T18:17:09Z")
You can delegate a few tasks to the microwave to save time with minimal loss in quality in the finished dish. Here are a few things I do in the microwave: Bacon (On a paper plate, between a few layers of paper towels. Peel it loose from the towel one minute into cooking, though). Onions and/or garlic cooked until translucent in butter or oil. I do this when I want to add them to a dish at the end of the dish’s cooking. Blond roux. Perfecto. Brown roux. No kidding, it works great, and I’ve tasted it made both ways. Softening flour tortillas prior to rolling up burritos. Brush them with a little water, and microwave them for about 20-30 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/50 "2012-10-30T18:35:42Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > Blond roux. Perfecto. > > Brown roux. No kidding, it works great, and I’ve tasted it made both ways. :dubious: Doing it on the stove is fine for me. > [@teela\_brown](#): > > Softening flour tortillas prior to rolling up burritos. Brush them with a little water, and microwave them for about 20-30 seconds. I don’t wet flour tortillas. They get soft without water. I had a taco a little bit ago. Instead of frying (and dirtying a pan) I made a soft taco by dampening a corn tortilla, then putting the meat on top and microwaving it for 30 seconds. Works a treat. (In actuality, I could have done 20 seconds; but I wanted to ensure the meat was hot.) ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/51 "2012-10-30T18:43:48Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > “Cooking wine” is the devil’s urine. If you wouldn’t drink it, don’t cook with it. > > Preparing all of your ingredients prior to starting a dish is sorta important. > > Pancake batter, like cornbread batter and bicuit dough, should not be smooth. > > Cold fat cut into dough makes for lighter, flakier whatevers. > > Turning your pans to ‘high’ is usually a poor idea. I think I just found the problem with my pie crusts: Room-temperature Crisco. Thank you,\*\* Chefguy\*\*! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/52 "2012-10-30T18:52:11Z")
Oh yeah, if you want flaky crust, you can’t let your fat melt. Keep it cold, don’t over handle it. ---
**Author:** ![amijane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@amijane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amijane)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/53 "2012-10-30T19:13:59Z")
That whoever opened a paint can with one of my very few vaguely decent knives should be seen to have legally invited a (small?) stabbing with said-knife. Never start cooking in an untidy kitchen with a cluttered sink and a full dishwasher, and keep your workspace organised. Allow refrigerated meat to come to room temperature before cooking. Freshly-grated nutmeg will go with just about anything involving potato. Cooking destroys the flavour of olive oil. Save the good stuff for using raw i.e. dipping or dressing. Potato ricers are more useful than you might initially suppose. I’ve used a vanilla liqueur in place of water when making a sweet pie crust. It worked very well, leaving behind a faint scent and sweetness, nothing too cloying or over-flavoured. Once you’ve learned what needs cooking quickly and what benefits from a slow roast or a crockpot, you’re golden. ---
**Author:** ![amijane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f0a364/32.png) [@amijane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amijane)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/54 "2012-10-30T19:16:55Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Oh yeah, if you want flaky crust, you can’t let your fat melt. Keep it cold, don’t over handle it. And if you _really_ want flaky and are handling the pastry more than usual, repeatedly folding and rolling out, then refrigerate between folds to keep it cold so you don’t lose the integrity of your layers. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/55 "2012-10-30T19:28:23Z")
> [@amijane](#): > > Never start cooking in an untidy kitchen with a cluttered sink and a full dishwasher, and keep your workspace organised. Particularly in a small kitchen. I don’t have a dishwasher to stow dishes, so I often wash them as I’m finished with them while I’m cooking. It seems that I frequently use large bowls or other dishes that take up space and are not needed once their contents are used. Better to wash them, get them into the drying rack, and save counter space. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/56 "2012-10-30T19:36:16Z")
> [@Dr\_Doom](#): > > I’ve more than once heard the saying > > “Cooking is Art, Baking is Science” Unless you’re me, who apparently is the baking savant, because I’ve never had baking be quite the exacting trial others make it out to be. I baked for 2 and a half years in college with nothing but a teaspoon and a 1/3rd measuring cup. I’m not going to say I was a genius in the kitchen but there were never any leftovers. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/57 "2012-10-30T19:43:58Z")
Okay, pie crust advisors. This is my plan. Please suggest tweaks, as I will be making a pie for the Thanksgiving luncheon at work soon. It will be a pumpkin pie with crushed pecans\* folded into the crust, and some sort of broken pecans tossed on top. 1. Use my metal or a glass bowl and freeze that fucker before I do anything else. 2. Chill my Crisco (use something else, or is that best for pie crust?) in the fridge while the bowl is freezing. 2a. Do a shot of ice-cold vanilla vodka. Use another couple shots in my pie dough instead of water.\*\* 3. Using my pastry cutter (and NOT my warm hands), cut the Crisco into the flour and then put the bowl back in the fridge. 4. A while later, remove bowl from fridge, roll out crust, quick like a bunny. 5. Slap crust into pie pan quick like a bunny, poke holes in bottom, put back into fridge until guts of pie are ready. 6. Remove cold crust from fridge, pour pie guts in, slap in oven before crust knows what hit it. How am I doing? It’s the simplest damn thing, and my pies turn out delicious, but I cannot get that flaky crust that Loretta Lynn was always going on about in the Crisco commercials. Nor does my crust _look_ like the one on the Crisco container. - I toss a half cup or so of pecans into a ziploc baggie and then roll it out to crush all the pecans to fine pecan dust. These pecans will be toasted first to add some depth to the nutty flavor that ends up in the crust. \*\* I cannot WAIT to try this part. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/58 "2012-10-30T19:49:15Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Unless you’re me, who apparently is the baking savant, because I’ve never had baking be quite the exacting trial others make it out to be. I baked for 2 and a half years in college with nothing but a teaspoon and a 1/3rd measuring cup. I’m not going to say I was a genius in the kitchen but there were never any leftovers. And most cooks can get there if they learn to think in terms of ratios rather than measurements. [This](http://www.amazon.com/Ratio-Simple-Behind-Everyday-Cooking/dp/1416571728/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351626465&sr=1-1&keywords=ratio)\* is the best cookbook ever written IMHO. Decades of experimentation and I was only halfway there. A few hours of reading and the occaisional glance back and it’s all here now. \*_Ratio_ by Michael Ruhlman ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/59 "2012-10-30T19:55:42Z")
What a great thread! I’m a good cook, but reminders of what good cooking is all about are always nice. I will contribute with: if you are adding frozen peas to a dish, they do not need to go in until the very end. They can just be incorporated and mixed in. Nothing worse than mushy peas. Never buy canned peas. I’ve known the Vodka trick for a while but have never tried it. I think I’m inspired to make a fruity pie with a flaky crust – a good excuse to buy a bottle one of these days. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268/60 "2012-10-30T19:56:23Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Substituting ice cold vodka for the water makes for terrifyingly good pastry. > > Cold hands make great pastry, but lousy bread. > > A little ginger root from the freezer and a microplane can save almost anything. > > Kitchen timers should have a belt clip so you can take them with you when you wander off. Frozen grated ginger root: what a great idea! Thanks very much, TruCelt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-cook-you-know-that/639268.md?page=4)