Baking Answers

How do you revive vanilla beans?

Can you suggest anything I can do to "revive" vanilla beans which have become too dry and crack when I try to cut them open?

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Fleur de Sel, sea salt

I've come across a recipe for roasted carrots that has Fleur de Sel added. Please tell me what this is, what it does, and the approximate price.

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What are saffron threads?

What are saffron threads and where can I find them? I know saffron is a spice but I have never heard of saffron threads!

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What are mixed spices?

I have a recipe for chow-chow, or green tomato relish. It calls for allspice and mixed spices. I used to know what mixed spices were but I can't find the inf...

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Difference: anise, aniseed, star anise

I recently had a Kitchen Tea and one of the girls gave me whole aniseed. I know what aniseed is, but this is the first time I actually saw that you get it wh...

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Difference: cream of coconut & coconut milk

Can you please explain the difference between "cream of coconut" and "coconut milk?" I have a recipe for a cake that calls for one can of cream of coconut, b...

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Dinner with a chocolate theme

We are going to the opera this coming weekend and are having another couple over to dinner. We would like to have a (subtle) chocolate theme. Obviously, chic...

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Finding uniform lady fingers

I have made a few very tasty tortes with ladyfinger cookies and have searched the web endlessly to buy them. I have made them at home with recipes — but the ...

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What are Lorna Doones?

I saw a recipe that called for Lorna Doone biscuits. Being an Australian, I have no idea what sort of biscuits Lorna Doone biscuits are? Could you please exp...

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What is a square of chocolate?

If a recipe says 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate, is there a weight per square? I live in New Zealand where chocolate is packaged in different measurements.

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Origin of the cookie

I am looking for information on the development/history/origin of the cookie. Would you know where I can find information?

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What are Champagne Biscuits?

I've downloaded a couple of recipes for various versions of Tiramisu which call for Champagne Biscuits. Can't find them. What are they? I can find the ladyfi...

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