Cooking Secrets
TV cooking show hosts talk about adding a small amount of this to add “brightness” or “freshness” to a dish.
What is acid (lemon or any citrus juice, vinegar, or wine)? On TV, they usually add a little lemon juice, but most any acid will have the same effect. A teaspoon is usually enough to brighten the dish.
From author A. A. Milne to the Disney franchise, this Winnie is one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature.
What is Winnie the Pooh? The bear is also called Pooh Bear
On March 9, 1959, Mattel introduced this iconic doll
What is Barbie? It is still the world’s top fashion doll. Barbie has had around 140 nationalities, and it was one of the first adult dolls
Home phone numbers are published in this type of phone book by your phone company.
What are white pages? Yellow pages are for commercial listings, and green or blue pages are for government listings.
The threat of this legal action is the purpose for ridiculous warning labels on products, which include dire warnings such as “Do not iron clothing while wearing it.”
What is a lawsuit (or litigation)? Some warning gems include: “This product may contain eggs” on an egg carton, and “This product is not intended for use as a dental drill,” found on DremelMultipro’s rotary tools.
Before you cook meat, let it reach this temperature.
What is room temperature? It’s called “tempering,” which allows the meat to cook quicker on the inside while remaining juicy. It also keeps the outside from burning to a crisp because you reduce the time needed to cook the inside to the desired temperature.
He is the head of the Roman Catholic Church
Who is the pope? Modern popes are elected by a conclave of 120 cardinals.
On May 23, 1775, while rallying Virginians to support the Revolutionary War, this patriot said, “Give me liberty, or give me death.”
Who is Patrick Henry? Historians suspect he never uttered those exact words, but the legend lives on.
This type of telephone line allowed multiple households to share a line
What is party line? You could eavesdrop on party line conversations if you picked up your phone while another party was using the line. AT&T published a comic book on party line etiquette. The last party line was phased out in 1991.
This is when common sense dictates you should replace your mattress.
What is when it becomes uncomfortable? One myth says that a mattress doubles its weight every eight years due to dust mites, dust, and perspiration and that is when you should replace it. This is no longer true because most people cover their mattresses with a washable cover
This cooking technique is what you are doing when adding liquid to a pan to release the stuck, brown bits from the bottom.
What is deglazing. Chefs don’t scrub away the bits when they can use them to add flavor to sauces or gravies.
This bear is found in the Arctic Circle.
What is polar? When ice is abundant in the winter, polar bears subsist on seals.
On March 3, 1938, geopolitics across the globe changed when this commodity was discovered in Saudi Arabia.
What is oil? The world’s largest source of oil was discovered in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, at an American-owned oil well.
Before computer and phone technology became the norm, companies kept phone numbers and other contact information in this circular file.
What is Rolodex? You can still order a Rolodex through such places as Amazon and Walmart, but technology has made them mostly obsolete.
There are more of these in the fingers than anywhere else in the body, which is why paper cuts hurt so badly.
What are pain receptors?
When a tomato spaghetti sauce falls flat, sprinkle a little bit of this into it.
What is sugar? It’s counterintuitive, but it works to balance the flavor, and it’s a favorite trick of Italian cooks
It’s a New Orleans submarine sandwich, otherwise known as a sub or hoagie.
What is a po’boy? It can be made with any combination of meat, cheese, and vegetables and can be dressed with a sauce.
On March 10, 1804, the United States took over possession of the Louisiana Territory from this country in what is known as the Louisiana Purchase
What is France? The year before the transfer, President Thomas Jefferson had paid France around $15 million dollars ($315 million in today’s dollars). The transfer took place in a ceremony in St. Louis, the city that became known as “the Gateway to the West.”
Before voicemail, if the party you were calling was on the phone, you received this.
What is a busy signal? Today, most phones are set up to go straight to voicemail
A serving of coffee or espresso has the most caffeine.
What is coffee? A single espresso serving is much smaller than a serving of coffee; however, espresso has more caffeine in each ounce than coffee does.
Soak poultry in this simple solution made with water, and sometimes sugar, to guarantee a juicy outcome.
What is brine? You can also add vegetables, whole spices such as cloves and cinnamon sticks, or fresh herbs such as bay leaves, fresh rosemary, and thyme to the brine
Merriam-Webster defines this type of sweater as “an openwork design (as in knitted fabric) typically in the shape of chevrons.”
What is pointelle? These garments are most often knitted with lightweight yarn.
On March 12, 1947, this U.S. president released a doctrine that outlined a plan to keep Soviet influence in check.
Who is Harry Truman? The doctrine formed the basis of the U.S. Cold War policy and became known as the Truman Doctrine
During the 1970s, this governmental organization with the initials FCC finally allowed customers to purchase their own phones
What is the Federal Communications Commission? Before 1976, you had to pay a monthly charge to rent your phone from the phone company.
According to the USDA, canned foods can or cannot be eaten after the date stamped on the can.
What is can be eaten? The date must be accompanied by either “sell by,” “use by,” or “best if used by.” If the can says “use by” or “best if used by,” you could experience some degradation in flavor. Other rules apply: Never eat food from a can that is dented, rusted, or distended. Never eat food that doesn’t smell right.