I've noticed large bottles of Mexican vanilla at an inexpensive price in my grocery store. Can I substitute this type of vanilla for regular pure vanilla extract? What is the difference in taste?…
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I read that it is possible to use a microwave oven to let dough rise but forgot to save the article. Could you explain how to do this? —H.T., Southampton, New York
Dough requires a…
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If microwave recipes are tested in a 1,100-watt microwave oven, how do I adjust those recipes so that I can still use them in my 600-watt microwave oven? —E.S., Buhler,…
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Can finely chopped garlic be used interchangeably with garlic that has been put through a press? —M.K., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Yes, minced garlic that you can buy, garlic that's been…
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How do you adjust the oven temperature and baking time when baking mini or jumbo muffins from a traditional muffin recipe? —N.I., South Kingstown, Rhode Island
Generally, the oven…
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My mother was a great cook and passed down many of her favorite recipes to me. But some call for a "pinch" of this and a "dash" of that. What did she mean by a "pinch" and a "dash?" I'd love to…
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As a child, I asked my mom what the thick stuff in the vinegar jar was. She called it "mother." Is it harmless? —K.L., Mohawk, New York
Your mother was correct. The gelatinous…
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I have a recipe that specifically calls for Neufchatel cheese. What's the difference between this cheese and regular cream cheese? Can one be substituted for the other? —A.K., Torrance,…
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When making soup, how do you keep noodles from absorbing all the liquid and becoming big and soggy? My soup gets really thick the next day or sometimes after just sitting awhile. I add the…
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When I make oatmeal bread, the risen dough in the pan looks like it would yield a nice-size loaf. But after it bakes, it seems smaller. I wait until the dough won't rise anymore before I bake…
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