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Busy Cooks/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| premade casserole | 6/16/2010 | Becki Robins |
| Q: my wife is expecting our third child soon. What is the best way to premake a casserole if we want to ... A: Casseroles can be frozen before or after baking, though I prefer to bake them on the day I serve ... | ||
| Freezing Macaroni salad with Miracle Whip on it. | 5/14/2010 | Becki Robins |
| Q: Is macaroni sallad with miracle whip on it already, safe to freeze? Even if it separates, is it ... A: Anything is safe to eat after freezing, as long as it is kept at 0° F and is put in the freezer when ... | ||
| Freezing Veggies | 8/20/2009 | Becki Robins |
| Q: I love to cook but don't have the time to do so often enough. I have at times made food to freeze ... A: Your answer is a resounding "sort of." Most vegetables freeze acceptably well, with exceptions ... | ||
| Cooking Lasagna that is Frozen | 1/2/2009 | Becki Robins |
| Q: Could you please tell me how long you would cook a homemade 9x13 glass pan of lasagna that has been ... A: I would cook it at 350 degrees for between 1 1/2 hours and 2 hours. However, since all ovens are ... | ||
| a Flower question | 4/15/2008 | Sandra Williams |
| Q: I was wondering if you freeze flower before using it. i heard that it kills all the weebles and bad ... A: I have never tried it but on the Pilsbury website they give us the go ahead so it must be alright. ... | ||
| over ripe bananas | 1/10/2008 | Sandra Williams |
| Q: I often find myself with 2 or 3 over ripe bananas and think I'll make banana bread or banana bars ... A: For buttermilk, try adding a teaspoon of vinegar to a cup of regular milk. You can also use plain ... | ||
| cooking a filet mignon whole roast | 4/8/2007 | Sandra Williams |
| Q: I am cooking a filet mignon 9 lbs roast. What would you suggest would be the best way to prepare ... A: To cook tenderloin, thaw it in the fridge for a couple days, season with salt and pepper and/or ... | ||
| freezing Macaroni or potato salad dressing without the mayo | 4/5/2007 | Sandra Williams |
| Q: I getting married in July. I am trying to make as many things ahead of time as possible. I had ... A: Congratulations on your marriage! What you might want to consider doing is make up a dry herb ... | ||
| plum jam | 4/1/2007 | Sandra Williams |
| Q: hope you can help. i can't find a plum jam locally and need one in a hurry to go with a tea i am ... A: To be honest I'm not experienced with making plum jam, but since you're in a hurry I found a couple ... | ||
| Two Frozen premade lasagna casseroles | 9/8/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: Would I need to double the baking time if I were baking 2 frozen lasagnas? For 1 lasagna is says to ... A: You will need to increase the baking time - but not twice the amount. I can't give you an exact ... | ||
| busy cooks | 9/5/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: I took out steak and chicken kabobs from the freexer at 9:30a and left in the package in the sink. I ... A: It is NEVER safe to defrost food at room temperature. Food should always be defrosted in the ... | ||
| Vinegar | 9/3/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: I was wondering what the difference is between the vinegar you buy that is clear as opposed to ... A: Most of the plain white vinegars you buy have been heat pasteurized to eliminate an appearance of a ... | ||
| how to roast a 6lb. 45oz. filet mignon? | 9/1/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: I have a whole 6lb.45oz. filet mignon I need to roast. What is the oven temperature and for how ... A: When I do a beef tenderloin like the one you're mentioning, I normally sear the outside of the roast ... | ||
| freezing | 8/3/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: can I make clam chowder and freeze it for later use? A: I have a client who requests clam chowder and does freeze it, but I don't really think it's the best ... | ||
| five-spice powder | 7/14/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: im just wondering if i could omit the five-spice powder in my recipe? il be cooking a GLAZED PORK ... A: Hmmm... five spice powder, while not essential, will definitely be adding a lot of flavour to your ... | ||
| dinner for two | 5/5/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: Im a college student who only gets to see her boyfriend on select occasions (long distance ... A: There are several different meals you can make that are affordable (and filling) that are still ... | ||
| Do you ever... | 3/16/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: I am wondering do you ever screw up something you've cooked even though you've made it a hundred ... A: There have certainly been times when a dish has not come out exactly as it has in the past. I can't ... | ||
| Slow cooker | 3/13/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: I was wondering how to adjust my regular receipes that I use the oven for to a slow cooker. ... A: I've actually never prepared Corned Beef before so I can't help you with that. You might try a ... | ||
| can u tell me more about your... | 2/2/2006 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: can u tell me more about your job please A: The answer to this question can be many things as there are several different kinds of personal ... | ||
| Vita-mix vs Ordinary Blender | 10/18/2005 | Keitha Fisher |
| Q: I was just curious as to your opinion of the Vita-mix compared to an ordinary blender. I got some ... A: I've use the Vita-Mix blender in the past and loved it's super-powerful motor but I've not put out ... | ||
| receipt wanted | 2/26/2004 | Gerry |
| Q: I'd like to have the receipt for making 'chicken pepperoni'. A couple if possible because my ... A: Sandy: First of all, I'd like to preface this by saying two things. 1) You had better be committed ... | ||
| Extra virgin olive oil? | 2/14/2004 | Gerry |
| Q: Is extra virgin olive oil the same as vegetable oil. I am making Chateaubriand tonight and all I ... A: I sincerely apologize for getting this back to you today. I would assume that your dinner party is ... | ||
| Crock Pot / Slow Cooker | 4/22/2003 | Gerry |
| Q: This may not be your area but you may be able to answer. Is there a difference between a crock pot ... A: Actually, your question is an interesting one. The reason I say this is because there is a ... | ||
| Olive Oil? | 7/1/2002 | Gerry |
| Q: Bit of a trivial question, I was wondering if you could tell me the difference between the $6 bottle ... A: Your question transends that of mear trivia, I can assure you. By olive oil afficionados standards, ... | ||
| Creme Fraiche (?) | 6/24/2002 | Gerry |
| Q: Exactly what is it? I understand it is not available in this country. Is that true? How can I make ... A: It's always nice to hear back from a person (like you) who wants to know about something.....and ... | ||
| freezing yoghurt | 3/6/2002 | Gerry |
| Q: i buy in bulk and was wondering if plain yoghurt could be frozen till im ready to use it. i mainly ... A: Yes, you may freeze yogurt. The fact that it is plain yogurt is good, in that there are no other ... | ||
| Thickening Liquids- "The Sequel" | 2/18/2002 | Gerry |
| Q: Gerry; First of all, I feel lucky to have found you again so I don't have to go back to square one. ... A: Yes, you are correct. The proportions are correct (for your preference) with the 4Tbl per 1/2 cup ... | ||
| Thickening liquids | 2/9/2002 | Gerry |
| Q: Is there a rule of thumb for thickening liquid recipes? For example, I have a recipe for fish ... A: Your question may seem very straight forward and simple. However, get ready for a long protracted, ... | ||
| boiling water | 10/28/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: i'm sorry to bother you, but i cannot seem to find the answer to this question. my roommates and i ... A: I sincerely hope that you are not one of the two roommates who believe that cooler water boils ... | ||
| Meatballs | 9/18/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: I've been asked to make sausage balls for a birthday party but they want me to use turkey sausage. ... A: Sure, I'll be happy to provide you with the following recipe for ground turkey meatballs: For every ... | ||
| White wine vinegar | 8/21/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: I have a recipe that I would like to try, but it calls for white wine vinegar. I have never used it, ... A: White wine vinegar is a vinegar that is simply made out of white wine; ie., chardonay, chabis, etc. ... | ||
| Brown Rice | 7/30/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: I HAVE SEVERAL PACKAGES, CONTAINING ABOUT 2 CUPS EACH, OF COOKED BROWN RICE IN MY FREEZER. I CAN'T ... A: Wow.......several cups of cooked brown rice. Well first of all, you could add an assornment of ... | ||
| cooking appliances | 7/23/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: I'm always in a hurry (3 active kids, etc.) and saw ad for "turbo cooker". Made complete chicken ... A: I can't resist watching those infomercials either. And yes, I saw the one one that you are ... | ||
| how long do things keep | 7/19/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: i would be so grateful if you could give me a idea of how long things keep in the fridge when cooked ... A: Your question is very complex. First of all, every refrigerator (just like every oven) is ... | ||
| substitutions?? | 7/10/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: when a recipe calls for vanilla..and you find you are out..is it sometimes best to forget the ... A: It depends on the recipe. For example, if you are baking pastry, you may often time use almond ... | ||
| Potato and macaroni salad | 7/10/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: Gerry, I would like to know if you can freeze potato and macaroni salad. If it is kept in ... A: If your salads have mayonaise in them, I would not freeze them. They tend to separate, and ... | ||
| Heating water in a microwave oven? | 7/5/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: How long do I have to heat the water in a microwave oven so it boils or ready to prepare coffee or ... A: Believe me, this questions is far from silly. The reason that I say this is because whenever you ... | ||
| Substitute for eggs | 6/28/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: I need one egg, but don't have any (I'm baking muffins). Can't I substitue something like mayo? If ... A: Marcie: The type of product that you are attempting to bake (muffins), I'm afraid, would be too ... | ||
| simple soups | 6/3/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: I am a young person from India and also a finicky cook...I don't like spending long hours in the ... A: Nats: And thank you so very much for your family recipes. I definitely plan to try them. Also, ... | ||
| freezing baked goods | 5/29/2001 | Gerry |
| Q: I am preparing for a graduation party and trying to bake cookies and brownies ahead. can the ... A: You certainly may. Brownies freeze very well. There is no special instruction. Just make sure ... | ||
Sandra Williams
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can help with improvising ingredients in meals and have over twenty years of cooking experience. I could help make meals more flavorful with spices and am good at stretching main meals to feed several people. Some favorites are baking cookies, muffins, pies and squares, but have not perfected yeast breads.
Experience
I've worked in bakeries and taken cooking courses, but most of my experience is from years of cooking for my family and collecting and reading cookbooks.
Education/Credentials
Chef training, nutrition and diet modification.
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