Tools & Techniques

The Cooking Tools & Techniques channel offers information on prep methods to how to guides that will get you started in the kitchen. This section will also guide you through kitchen safety and best practices for the storage of foods.

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Mushrooms: Wash 'em or Brush 'em Off?

Aaah, mushrooms – all those beautiful shapes and colors, textures and flavors. But what about the dirt and debris that always seem to come along? We find out whether it's best to wash them, brush them or just go au naturel with them.

By Tara Yarlagadda Feb 6, 2020 Tools & Techniques / Food Safety & Storage

The Cornish Game Hen Is Neither Cornish Nor a Hen

They look very festive at the holiday table but what are these pint-sized pieces of poultry, really?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Dec 23, 2019 Tools & Techniques / Poultry Guide

What Is Sous Vide?

Sous vide has been gaining in popularity with home cooks. So how does this immersion cooking work, and is it right for you?

By Jeremy Glass Nov 14, 2019 Tools & Techniques / Cooking How-to

HowStuffWorks Illustrated: Forgot to Defrost Your Turkey?

HowStuffWorks breaks down the fastest and safest method to defrost your turkey so you can get it in the oven and on the table.

Tools & Techniques / Food Safety & Storage

Non-wheat Flours Don't Have to Be Daunting

Baking and cooking with non-wheat flours like cassava flour, almond flour and even rice flour doesn't have to be intimidating. We talked to experts about which flour is the right one to use when.

By Muriel Vega Oct 10, 2019 Tools & Techniques / Cooking How-to

Great British Baking Terms: Know Your Scones From Your Biscuits

American viewers of the hit "The Great British Baking Show" might be confused by the challenge for "Biscuit Week." We break down how the American biscuit is vastly different from the British version.

By Dave Roos Aug 30, 2019 Tools & Techniques / Baking How-to

Lox, Gravlax and Nova: What's the Difference?

The three salmon preparation methods all have similarities, but they're are intensely different.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D. Mar 28, 2019 Tools & Techniques / Cooking How-to

Just in Time for Pancake Day, Scientists Develop Pancake Calculator

Some Polish scientists created a calculator that can give you the perfect proportions for 14 different international types of pancakes.

By Dave Roos Mar 5, 2019 Tools & Techniques / Cooking How-to

4 Steps to Safely Ship Holiday Cookies

Everyone loves getting holiday cookie care packages. But nobody loves getting packages of cookie crumbles.

By Shaun Chavis Dec 10, 2018 Tools & Techniques / Baking How-to

8 Awesome Uses for Your Instant Pot

Instant Pot is all the rage. But what's the big deal? What makes this pressure cooker so great?

By Shaun Chavis Dec 4, 2018 Tools & Techniques / Appliances & Cooking Tools

Natural Spray Triples Shelf Life of Fruits and Vegetables

We discard shameful amounts of produce each year — but a new product could help us curb waste and feed more people.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 20, 2018 Tools & Techniques / Food Safety & Storage

Keep These 5 Foods Out of the Fridge

Not everything is enhanced by being kept in your refrigerator. These five foods definitely do better outside it — here's why.

By Alia Hoyt Oct 5, 2018 Tools & Techniques / Food Safety & Storage

How to Keep Guac From Turning to Goop

Who hasn't had their delicious green guac turn into brown slime overnight? Here's how to save it.

By Carrie Tatro Sep 18, 2018 Tools & Techniques / Cooking How-to

Come and Get It! A Spicy Barbecue Quiz

Barbecue season is upon us in all its mouth-watering glory. What's your BBQ IQ? Find out with this quiz.

By Alia Hoyt Tools & Techniques / BBQ & Grilling

Can You Microwave a Steak to a Perfect Medium-rare?

If a microwave's your only option, could you make it work?

By Christopher Hassiotis May 11, 2018 Tools & Techniques / Cooking How-to

Food May Soon Be 3-D Printed to Meet Nutritional Needs

3-D printed food? It could be coming to your plate in the not-so-far-off future.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Apr 24, 2018 Tools & Techniques / Appliances & Cooking Tools

The Delectable History of Cookbooks

A 4th-century cookbook advised readers how to get rid of the 'goatish smell' from stale bird meat.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Nov 22, 2017 Tools & Techniques / Cooking How-to

What's the Fastest Way to Thaw a Frozen Turkey?

What's the fastest way to thaw a frozen turkey on Thanksgiving? There are a few different methods to do it safely.

By Thorin Klosowski Tools & Techniques / Food Safety & Storage

How Restaurant Health Inspections Work

When your favorite restaurant ends up on the TV news with a C rating from the health inspector, does that mean you should never eat there again? Not so fast.

By Dave Roos Tools & Techniques / Food Safety & Storage

How Barbecue Works

Almost every country in the world has some dish involving meat cooked over the fire. In the U.S., it's called barbecue. Come with us on a mouthwatering-journey through the history, politics and techniques of barbecue.

By Patrick J. Kiger Tools & Techniques / BBQ & Grilling

Extra 3-D Printed Cheese, Please

First researchers used a 3-D printer to make a pizza for NASA. Now scientists in Ireland have used the same technology to print cheese.

By John Perritano Mar 22, 2017 Tools & Techniques / Appliances & Cooking Tools

This Ancient Secret for Making Tacos Nutritious and Safe Is Still Used Today

Pre-Columbian civilizations perfected a way of processing corn that's still important.

By Sarah Gleim Oct 18, 2016 Tools & Techniques / Cooking How-to

The World's First 3-D Printing Restaurant Pops Up

Looking for the next great dining experience? There’s a pop-up restaurant going around the world that’ll print your meal for you.

By Karen Kirkpatrick Aug 16, 2016 Tools & Techniques / Appliances & Cooking Tools

How the Food Industry Made 'Artisan' Meaningless

Where did America's love affair with 'hand-made' food come from, and where is it going?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus May 27, 2016 Tools & Techniques / Cooking How-to

Would You Rather Eat Cruz or Clinton? PancakeBot Can Make Both

A smiley face is old school. And your pancake letters look awful. How about making flapjacks that remind you of your favorite presidential candidate? Or your dog?

By Karen Kirkpatrick Mar 30, 2016 Tools & Techniques / Appliances & Cooking Tools