Cooking Tips — little secrets from the pros
Why does rice turn out fluffy, why won’t dough rise, why does meat get tough? 2163 tips tested by chefs and the community — sorted into categories and explained one by one.
All Tips
2,163 tips listed
How to Choose and Prepare Celery?
The most reliable way to choose celery root is to pick it up and check its weight and firmness: between two roots of the same size, the heavier one is juicier a...
What to Look for When Buying Turkey
Skin color can be a useful clue when buying turkey. Fresh turkey skin should be creamy yellow, smooth, and moist; bruised spots, dry or shriveled areas, or a st...
How Do You Wash Leafy Greens Before Chopping, and Get Rid of Grit?
The most effective way to wash leafy greens before chopping is to dunk and swish the leaves a few times in a bowl full of water rather than rinsing them under t...
Why Does an Oven's Display Temperature Differ From the Real One?
The most common reason an oven's displayed temperature differs from its actual temperature is that the thermostat measures from a single point inside, and that...
How Many Minutes Does It Take to Dry Fresh Herbs in the Oven?
Fresh herbs are dried in about 1-2 hours at the oven's lowest setting (65-90°C / 150-195°F), with the door left slightly ajar. Whether the leaves are thin or th...
How to Choose and Ripen Plums
A ripe plum yields slightly under gentle pressure near the stem; if the flesh around the pit is still rock-hard, the plum is not ripe yet. A dull, whitish coati...
What Can You Use Instead of an Oven?
If you do not have an oven, baked goods such as cakes and savory pastries can be cooked over low heat in a covered pot; a thin layer of sand or a thick layer of...
At What Temperature Does Mozzarella Melt for Pizza?
Mozzarella begins to melt at about 60–65°C / 140–150°F. For the soft, flowing texture and light bubbling desired on pizza, the oven is generally set to 220–250°...
What to Serve with Poğaça (Savory Turkish Pastries)
A hot cup of tea is one of the best pairings for poğaça (a savory Turkish pastry). Serve it within the first 15 minutes after it comes out of the oven, while th...
How to Choose Fresh Squid and Octopus
The first thing to check when buying squid or octopus is color and sheen; fresh squid skin should be a pale pinkish-white, with bright, plump eyes. Squid with b...
How Many Minutes Should Spices Be Toasted in Oil?
Ground spices are generally toasted in hot oil for 30–60 seconds, while whole spices take 1–2 minutes. This short time releases the spices’ volatile oils and no...
Why Should Red Meat Rest After Cooking, and for How Long?
Red meat needs to rest after cooking because the muscle fibers that tighten and push juice toward the center while cooking need time to relax and let that liqui...