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 I bake in a pottery dish?

by

Never put a clay pot in a preheated oven because it will crack from the shock of the heat. Bake at high temperatures (400º to 475º F) to let the moisture that’s saturated the clay slowly turn into steam.

Should backsplash go behind range hood?

by

Do put a backsplash behind your cooktop and hood vent. Grease, bubbling sauce, steam and other elements coming from your stove make for a messy cleaning job. Having a backsplash there will eliminate the headache.

What is recyclable in New York State?

by

Some of the examples of recyclable or reusable items are clothing, shoes, furniture, toys, books, paper, plastic, cans, bottles, eye glasses, and the list goes on. However, some household items can be dangerous or cause harm to the environment if not being recycled properly.

What are fondant tools called?

by

Extruder. A fondant extruder is useful if you want to decorate your cakes with fondant or gum paste, but you do not want to have to roll out long strings of fondant or gum paste to work with.

Can the lid of a Dutch oven go in the oven?

by

Can You Put a Le Creuset Dutch Oven Lid in the Oven? The lid of a Le Creuset Dutch oven can withstand temperatures of 425º. If you have a Signature Stainless Steel Le Creuset knob it will withstand any temperature either inside an oven or on a cooktop. The metal knobs are also dishwasher safe.

How do you pack a towel for a gift?

by

Fold your bath towel in half lengthwise. Fold in half widthwise, placing the short ends together. Fold in half widthwise a final time for a wide, flat fold that’s easily stackable. If a more compact shape suits your storage space better, fold the towel in thirds instead of in half on the last fold.

Do bathroom scales have memory?

by

Some scales offer a seemingly manufactured sense of precision and accuracy: They may calculate your weight based on the memory of your previous readings rather than actually weighing you each time.

Do they make a 110 tankless hot water heater?

by

A 110V tankless water heater is designed to work on 120-volts, however the manufacturer has tested it to operate at a lower voltage. In other words, it’s rated at 110-volts and therefore can operate at this lower voltage.