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 Can You Tell If a Blender Is Failing?
The clearest signs of a failing blender are an unusual motor sound or no response when you press the power button. A working blender produces a steady hum. If t...
What Can You Use Instead of Eggs in Cakes?
Banana, applesauce, avocado, or yogurt can be used instead of eggs in cakes. These ingredients provide moisture and binding, covering much of what eggs do in ca...
How Long Does It Take to Poach an Egg?
A poached egg reaches a runny-yolk consistency in about 2.5–3 minutes in gently simmering water with vinegar (90–95°C / 194–203°F); if you want a medium yolk, e...
How to Choose Sugar and Sweeteners
The right sugar or sweetener depends on the recipe: in a dessert, the result depends on granule size, how quickly the sweetener dissolves, and how well it retai...
How to Fix Ayran If the Yogurt and Water Separate
If the yogurt and water separate and settle to the bottom while making ayran, the solution is to briefly blend the ayran again or whisk it; separation generally...
How to Tell if Şalgam (Fermented Turnip Juice) Has Gone Bad
Şalgam (fermented turnip juice, a traditional Turkish drink) is already fermented, so a sour, salty, slightly sharp flavor—and even dark red sediment at the bot...
How Many Calories Are in a Glass of Kefir?
A glass (about 200 ml) of whole-milk kefir contains an average of 100-110 calories. This value may vary somewhat depending on the fat content of the milk used t...
How Should Used Frying Oil Be Stored, and for How Long?
First strain used frying oil to remove crumbs, then store it in a closed, light-blocking bottle in a cool place. Oil left unstrained spoils more quickly because...
How to Tell If Chicken Has Gone Bad: A Guide
Whether chicken has spoiled can be assessed by changes in its color, a slimy or sticky surface, and a sharp, sour odor. Fresh chicken breast is light pink and s...
How Long Does It Take to Boil Potatoes?
Depending on the size of the pieces, potatoes take an average of 15-20 minutes to boil, while whole medium-sized potatoes take about 25-30 minutes. The exact co...
How to Tell When a Pressure Cooker Gasket Needs Replacing
The clearest sign that a pressure cooker gasket needs replacing is steam escaping around the lid; with an intact gasket, steam exits only through the valve, wit...
How Long Does It Take to Cook Chicken Liver?
Chicken liver cooks in oil over medium-high heat in 6–8 minutes total, 3–4 minutes per side. Chicken liver must be cooked completely, to an internal temperature...