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.

Is there an electric salad spinner?

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This tectake salad spinner is in electric button design. The difference from manual spinner is that you don’t need to manually press or pull it. You just turn on the power butoon, and it helps you to dry the vegetables and fruits within seconds.

How do you read a temperature with a digital thermometer?

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Axillary method (under the armpit)Place the tip of the thermometer in the centre of the armpit.Tuck your child’s arm snugly (closely) against their body.Leave the thermometer in place for about 1 minute, until you hear the “beep”Remove the thermometer and read the temperature.

How do you calculate cooking time for prime rib?

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To calculate your cooking time, multiply the exact weight of the roast by 5. Round the resulting number to the nearest whole number. The rib is cooked at 500 degrees F for exactly that many minutes. For example, for a 6 pound roast: 6×5=30, so cooking time is 30 minutes.

Do you need to grease a cast iron skillet before cooking?

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Oil your food: whereas with other pans, like stainless steel or non-stick, you’ll squirt a little oil into the base of the pan before you cook, with cast iron (especially griddled cast iron), you’re much better off brushing oil onto your meat or veggies before you cook them.

What size is the largest baking pan?

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As the largest baking sheet a standard 30” oven will accommodate, the 2/3 sheet pan size is ideal for home bakeries. While not as large as a full-size baking sheet, a 2/3 size baking sheet can hold a 25-pound turkey and up to three 9” pie dishes.

What can I use instead of a madeleine pan?

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For example, try a silicone muffin pan that works as a madeleine pan substitute. You can even line the wells with cupcake liners. You can also try to bake these little cakes in small rectangular or even round molds.

Can you hang a shelf from the ceiling?

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Suspending a shelf from the ceiling also works well for homeowners faced with delicate or overly crowded walls, or those who simply want to hang a shelf over a kitchen island or other central feature.

How do you open a jammed food processor lid?

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Pour near-boiling water into the bowl to just above the blade. This will loosen the bowl and melt any dried food material that may be causing it to stick. Press the pulse button a few times with the hot water in the bowl (and the lid on). Then remove the lid and try to remove the bowl again.