Dear Home Ec 101, I’ve been reading your site for a long time now, and I love it. You’ve answered a lot of questions I didn’t even know that I had, but one thing has been bothering me lately: I don’t know how to sear a piece of meat or fish without making a horrible … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, Help! My plastic dishes are starting to taste (and smell) like soap. I hand wash, and switched to a “moisturizing” dish soap this spring. Since then, the taste is very very pronounced, even after I switched back to plain blue Dawn which several friends recommended as a remedy. Is there anything I … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, The other night I splurged and made rack of lamb for my husband and sons. It was the first time, because I really don’t like it, and probably the last, because the clean up was such a hassle. Even though I sprayed my roasting rack and pan with Pam, it still took … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101: I have one of those pricey enameled cast iron Dutch enameled cast iron Dutch, err…French ovens. One particularly rushed morning while doing laundry, entertaining the baby, and vacuuming the endless pet hair from my carpets, I let chunky ragu scorch onto said pricey French oven. After several days of soaking, I gave in … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, I have an All-Clad stainless steel skillet, and I can’t seem to cook anything in it without burning the food. Last night, I cooked pork chops in it. I heated the pan on high, put a little olive oil, and put the pork chops in. The areas between the chops turned black quickly, and started … Read more
Heather says: Frequently I’m asked, “Heather, what cookware do you recommend?” I find it a difficult question to answer. I have my set I’ve used for years to which I’ve slowly been adding a few enameled cast-iron pieces, and of course I have experience with restaurant grade equipment. At this time I don’t have a large … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, I got this set of cast iron pans last year for my birthday and I know that you have to do something with them before you can use them. I “googled” it but I find soooo many different things I don’t even know where to start. I figured you ladies would be … Read more
Dear Home Ec 101, My popover pan that has been with me through thick and thin (and one husband and a couple of boyfriends!) has suddenly started misbehaving. Where before I could simply tip the pan over and golden fabulous popovers will pop right out.. Now when I pull the pan out of the oven, … Read more
Dear Home Ec 101, I have a stainless steel pan that has acquired a brownish/bronzish color all over the bottom of the inside of the pan. What is this, is it bad, and can it be gotten rid of? I like shiny things. Signed, ~Maggie Magpie Heather says: I love my stainless steel, the only … Read more
Dear Home-Ec 101, I am a new reader of your site and am convinced that you may be the only ones able to help me. I am pregnant and because of morning sickness and the fact that my husband does not think vomit adds to his dinner, I’ve had to leave him to his own … Read more