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.

Do all stoves have ovens?

by

All ovens are stoves, but not all stoves are ovens. But there’s another wrinkle: Stoves often include what’s called a stovetop. Wood-burning cookstoves use the radiant heat from the internal wood fire to heat a griddle. More modern stoves have gas or electric burners.

How do I stop my cast iron skillet from smoking?

by

Dry cast iron thoroughly right away by placing the pan on a burner set to medium-low heat. Use a paper towel to rub a very thin layer of oil over the pan’s cooking surface. After a few minutes, when the pan is completely dry, turn off the burner and let the pan cool before putting it away.

What is 1/8 of a pan?

by

The quarter sheet pan is 9 1/2″ x 13″ (24 x 33cm) and the one-eighth pan clocks in at a mere 6″ x 9″ (13 x 23cm).

What does Boule mean in baking?

by

Boule, from French, meaning “ball”, is a traditional shape of French bread resembling a squashed ball. A boule can be made using any type of flour and can be leavened with commercial yeast, chemical leavening, or even wild yeast sourdough.

Can I put parchment paper directly in the oven?

by

Yes, you can put parchment paper in the oven! Most brands list a suggested temperature limit on the box, typically in the range of 400 to 425F. Boolik EasyRoll Parchment Paper is oven safe up to 464F! It’s the silicone coating that makes parchment paper heat resistant and suitable for oven use.

What knife is an all-purpose knife?

by

The santoku knife is Japan’s version of an all-purpose knife, and it is similar to a chef’s knife. Used for a variety of tasks in the kitchen, from cutting meats to chopping nuts, a santoku blade typically ranges from five to eight inches long.

Can you use a wooden spoon on a non-stick pan?

by

To prevent scratching and scraping on the nonstick surface, stick to the best utensils for the pans: wooden spoons and heatproof silicone spoons and spatulas. Nothing that’s metal (tongs, silverware, etc.) should ever touch the pan’s interior.

Is WearEver cookware a good brand?

by

WearEver Cookware is durable, stylish, safe, and has good performance for the price. It won’t become a family heirloom like cast iron, but it is a great starter set that will suit the needs of most kitchens over the course of a few years of ownership.

Are BaByliss curling irons good?

by

The BaByliss PRO is comfortable and easy to use, generates well-controlled levels of heat quickly and efficiently, and creates great curls in just a few seconds. Unless you have very short or thin hair, it’s the right size and the right curling iron; it’s more expensive than most, but also better than most.