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.

Whats a good cheese grater?

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Best Cheese Graters at a GlanceBest Overall and Best Box Grater: OXO Etched Box Grater.Best Value: Cuisinart Box Grater.Easiest to Clean: OXO Etched Coarse Grater.Best for Zesting: Zyliss SmoothGlide Dual Grater.Best Rotary Grater: Microplane Rotary Cheese Grater.

How long does it take to cook a roasting joint?

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For rib, topside or top rump jointsSeal the joint in a hot pan for 3-4 minutes over a high heat before transferring to the oven.Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas 4 and allow:20 minutes per 500g plus 20 minutes (for rare)25 minutes per 500g plus 20 minutes (for medium)30 minutes per 500g plus 20 minutes (for well-done)

Is the 8 QT Instant Pot worth it?

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The Instant Pot 8 Quart is quite large. While the appliance itself may be a bit big and difficult to store within your home if you’re limited on space, it can be worth it if you need one that large. I had a hard time finding a cabinet large enough to store it in our kitchen that had limited storage space.

Can I put porcelain bowls in the oven?

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Usually, porcelain will be fired at temperatures on or above 2372F (1300C). Compared to the temperature of a kiln, the heat in a domestic oven is relatively low. So, porcelain is able to manage well as ovenware. Typically, porcelain ovenware dishes are suitable for temperatures up to 500-572F (260-300C).

Is it better to store spices in glass or plastic?

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The expensive and high quality spices are always stored in glass. Plastic can be porous, allowing in small amounts of air that slowly damage spices. While every spice has an expiration date if properly stored and sealed, glass will extend the shelf life significantly.

Which Peeler is best?

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4 Best Vegetable Peelers, Tested by Food Network KitchenBest Overall: OXO Good Grips Pro Swivel Peeler.Best Y-Peeler: OXO Good Grips Pro Y Peeler.Best on a Budget: Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler.Best Serrated: Messermeister Pro Touch Serrated Swivel Peeler.

What is the most sanitary type of cutting board?

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Hardwoods (like this maple cutting board from Boos) are better at resisting bacteria. “Hardwoods like maple are fine-grained, and the capillary action of those grains pulls down fluid, trapping the bacteria—which are killed off as the board dries after cleaning,” says Ben Chapman, a food safety researcher at NC State.