Annie Watson

Annie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Ask. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book 'Healthy Eating Through the Garden' will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Annie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.

Can a dutch oven be ceramic?

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Enameled: Enameled Dutch ovens can have a ceramic or metal (cast iron or aluminum) core. Like cast iron, ceramic conducts heat extremely well and is therefore often used to make Dutch ovens. Enameled Dutch ovens require no special cleaning techniques, which makes them perfect for those seeking convenience.

Is a Pyrex casserole dish flameproof?

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Borosilicate glass, which Pyrex manufacturers in Europe use, is a flameproof material. The silica found on this Pyrex casserole dish could endure direct heat easily. Pyrex manufacturers in the United States use common soda-lime glass, which is oven-proof but not flameproof.

Is a carbon monoxide detector a legal requirement in the UK?

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Scope of the consultation c) Amending the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 to require private and social landlords to install a carbon monoxide alarm in any room used as living accommodation where a fixed combustion appliance is used (excluding gas cookers).

Should I soak potatoes before frying?

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Frying fresh-cut potatoes. Soaking peeled, washed and cut fries in cold water overnight removes excess potato starch, which prevents fries from sticking together and helps achieve maximum crispness.

What can I use for macarons if I don’t have a food processor?

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You can grind whole almonds. This will prevent the almonds from turning into butter. If you don’t have a food processor, you can still make macarons, but make sure to thoroughly blend the almonds and sugar together. The consequence is that the texture of your macarons might not be as smooth.

Can I use parchment paper for macarons?

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Unfortunately, parchment paper and wax paper are not interchangeable. To make a flawless macaron you need a non-stick, heat-safe surface to pipe your cookie on, and parchment paper is a great solution. Plus, not all wax papers are meant to go in the oven, they could melt or worse ignite (yikes!).

What is a 8-inch chef’s knife used for?

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Use them for slicing, dicing, mincing, cutting, and all other types of chopping. That said, size has an impact on the versatility of a chef’s knife. An 8-inch chef’s knife is better suited for larger ingredients such as watermelon, pineapple, lettuce heads, large cuts of meat, and butternut squash.