Recent content by Scotch

I have two Kuhn Rikon pressure cookers. The NYT rightfully called them the "Rolls Royce of pressure cookers." If I wanted to build an IED, I'd start with on of these gadgets. Built like a brick you-know-what but with multiple safety features.

Yes. The bacteria that grows on the surface of a cut steak adds nothing to the flavor.

Yes, I do it frequently.

The difference is primarily in the tortillas. Like good French bread, there's no substitute -- and most Americans wouldn't know a good tortilla if it bit them on the posterior!

What is TexMex? Well, it's to real Mexican food as Chef Boyarde is to Italian.

Everything Kitchens currently has the KitchenAid 600 Pro mixer for $299 in a plain brown box (sounds like porn!), plus a $50 rebate from the manufacturer for purchases through August 20, 2011. No tax outside of Missouri, free shipping. Limited colors available (Blue Steel or Copper Pearl) at...

Pea Soup, hands down! SPLIT PEA SOUP 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 2 celery stalks, sliced 1 large onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed 1 teaspoon ground cumin 10 cups chicken stock, water, or combination 2 smoked ham hocks or 1...

I have high-quality pots and pans from several major manufacturers. Among my favorites are two 3-ply stainless pots made by Henckels. Superb quality, great value. Check Amazon.

Not necessarily true. How long is too long? How fast does the botulism organism grow? How much toxin can it produce in 24 hours? Do you know? Are you willing to risk the health -- even the life -- of your family and friends? Just because no one has gotten ill yet doesn't mean it's safe. Here's...

And at a dinner party of 20, some, perhaps several, will decline dessert. The fools!

A 10" cake is actually 23.45% larger than a 9" cake of the same thickness. The original recipe, which is for three 9" layers, says it serves 12 to 14; if you were to increase the batter sufficiently to make three 10" layers of the same thickness as the 9" layers, you could get about 15 to 17...

I've had food poisoning four times in my life, ended up in the infirmary for a week during college. My motto: When in doubt, throw it out!

You can buy food-grade mineral oil at any drugstore and in most supermarkets. It's the best oil for wood or bamboo (which is actually a giant form of grass, technically not wood) cutting boards. As others have said, olive oil and other cooking oils will spoil if applied to the board, but mineral...

According to THIS SITE, "A quick calculation using the nutritional information on KFC's Web site reveals the Double Down Chicken Sandwich to be about 858 calories and 62.4 grams of fat -- about the same amount of calories and more fat than Wendy's 1/3-pound Triple with cheese. However...

Good looking kid! Nicely shaped head and great features.