Cynthia 
The best substitutes for vodka in pasta sauce are white wine or chicken broth for a savory result, or tomato juice and water if you want to keep things alcohol-free. I make a hearty bowl of vodka pasta sauce every chance I get, it’s become one of my go-to comfort meals. But I don’t always
Yes, raw pierogi dough freezes well for up to 3 months. Shape it into a disc, wrap it tightly, and thaw it overnight in the fridge before rolling it out. I make a big batch of dough whenever I’m already committed to rolling out pierogi, and freezing half of it saves me from doing the
Horseshoe crabs aren’t really a food item in most of the world, including the US, where harvesting them for eating is restricted or illegal in many states. Where they are eaten, mostly the roe in parts of Southeast Asia, people describe the taste as mild and not particularly memorable. I’ll be upfront that this isn’t
You can freeze capers, but you probably don’t need to. Opened jarred capers already keep for about a year in the fridge thanks to the salt brine, so freezing is more of an option than a necessity. I used to think capers needed the same freezer treatment as fresh herbs, but they’re basically pickled the
You can freeze dry lettuce, but I wouldn’t bother if you’re hoping for salad-ready greens later. Lettuce is around 95% water with almost no structure to hold it together, so it comes out of the freeze dryer brittle and never really regains that crisp texture once rehydrated. I tried this with a head of romaine
Croaker fish tastes mild and slightly sweet, with tender, flaky white meat that’s close to tilapia or cod. It’s not a strong or “fishy” fish at all. I’ve cooked it more times than I can count, and it’s become one of my go-to picks when I want something light and easy. Here’s what to expect
It depends on which Tervis you own. Classic double-wall plastic tumblers are microwave-safe for short bursts as long as there’s no warning stamped on the bottom, but stainless steel Tervis tumblers should never go in the microwave. I used to assume every Tervis tumbler was fair game for the microwave since they all look so
To reheat fufu in the microwave, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap to lock in moisture, then heat at 50% power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each one, until it hits 165°F. Fufu, the popular West African dish made from pounded yam, plantains, or cassava, almost always leaves me with leftovers. Luckily,
Yes, you can microwave protein powder mixed into a liquid or batter. Heat denatures protein, meaning it unfolds the protein’s structure, but that’s normal cooking chemistry, not damage. It doesn’t destroy the nutrition or make it unsafe. I used to avoid microwaving my protein oatmeal because I’d read that heat “destroys” protein powder. That’s not
Yes, it’s safe to run a microwave without its turntable. Your food just won’t cook as evenly, since nothing is rotating it through the machine’s hot and cold spots, but the microwave itself isn’t damaged by running without one. I’ve had a turntable crack on me before, and I panicked for a second thinking I’d
To microwave a bagel, slice it in half, cover it with a damp paper towel on a microwave-safe plate, and microwave on high for 15-20 seconds until warm. I reach for this trick on mornings when I’m too rushed to wait on the toaster, and it gets me a warm, soft bagel without any real
Plan for 2-3 chicken skewers per person for a lunch event or as part of a bigger spread, and 4-5 skewers per person when they’re the main dish at dinner. Several variables, including skewer size, your guests’ appetites, and what else is on the menu, can shift that number up or down. This article breaks
Yes, you can reheat a bagel with cream cheese in the microwave. Slice the bagel in half, spread the cream cheese, cover it loosely with a damp paper towel, and microwave in 10-15 second bursts until it’s warm. Few things beat a freshly baked bagel with a generous spread of cream cheese, but reheating leftovers
A kiridashi knife is a small, single-bevel Japanese cutting tool built for precise woodworking, marking, and carving, not for food prep. Despite what you might read elsewhere, it’s not a good substitute for a paring knife or peeler. I picked one up for a woodworking project and got curious about its other uses, since it’s
The best substitutes for tequila are mezcal for a similar smoky, agave-based flavor, or vodka and gin as neutral spirits that work in almost any tequila cocktail. Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant, known for its distinct flavor and aroma, and it’s a key ingredient in cocktails like the Margarita.