Questions

Dear Lynne,
How do you use dried chiles and which kind should I buy? Are they all really hot?
–Tom in Chicago

Dear Lynne,

I want to buy a good skillet or sauté pan. Which should I buy and what is the difference?

–Peter in Chicago 

Dear Lynne,
Is marinade reusable, and if so, for how long? My standard base is just wine and soy sauce. I use it for most meats and fish.
–David from Madison

Dear Lynne,

If wine glasses are so important why do the Italians and French drink their wine from glasses that look like jelly jars or something you use for orange juice?

–John from Portland

Dear Lynne,
Our new apartment has low kitchen counters. My back is killing me from working leaning over. Any ideas?
–Jennifer in Pasadena 

Dear Lynne,
My mother passed away last year. I miss her and want to try her recipe for custard. It was my favorite when I was a kid. The recipe calls for “scalded milk.” What is this?
–Mary from Scranton

Dear Lynne,
What is the trick to making a pizza crust golden brown? Mine is always pale and more like cardboard than bread. I use a pizza stone and have tried several recipes. Nothing helps. Is it my oven?
–Linda in Seattle    

Dear Lynne,
Why is Copper River salmon so popular and so expensive ?
–Anne from Dallas


 

Dear Lynne,
Liquor labels always say, “proof,” like, “80 proof.”What does “proof” actually mean?
–Douglas from Minneapolis


 

I'm writing because I was watching an infomercial for the YoshiBlade knife. My sister and I were wondering if it actually works as well as they advertise. Does it stay sharp as long as they say? 

-Marie in Argusville

My new apartment has a couple of tables/movable kitchen islands with wooden butcher-block tops. I've never used wooden cutting boards before. Are they sanitary? How do you clean them?
Dear Lynne, We are organizing our annual Thanksgiving buffet. My cousin is being a pain. She says we have to have hot plates to keep the turkey and my sausage stuffing hot. I think they are safe at room temperature for a couple of hours. Who is right?