Video Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Some recipes seem to have a requirement to sautee till fragrant. Or it is best to choose vegetables based on smell. Can we get other ways to select fruits and vegetables?

Some recipes seem to have a requirement to sautee till fragrant. Or it is best to choose vegetables based on smell. Can we get other ways to select fruits and vegetables?

I’d like to try to avoid fats such as vegan butter/oil. I don’t like avocado. Any recipes for something to slather on baked potatoes or veggies to take its place?

I’d like to try to avoid fats such as vegan butter/oil. I don’t like avocado. Any recipes for something to slather on baked potatoes or veggies to take its place?

How can I prevent the fruit flies when I am trying to ripen my bananas?

How can I prevent the fruit flies when I am trying to ripen my bananas?

I’m looking for good quality of olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Any suggestions or brands to look for?

I’m looking for good quality of olive oil and apple cider vinegar. Any suggestions or brands to look for?

How can you tell if mushrooms are still edible?

How can you tell if mushrooms are still edible?

What is your favorite brussel sprout recipe?

What is your favorite brussel sprout recipe?

I am interested in All Clad “copper core” pots and pans. What do you think are the best brands? Is ceramic cookware good to use? For which dishes? Also, what are the pros and cons of non-stick pots and pans?

I am interested in All Clad “copper core” pots and pans. What do you think are the best brands? Is ceramic cookware good to use? For which dishes? Also, what are the pros and cons of non-stick pots and pans?

How do you know if the pan is hot enough if you only have a non stick teflon pan? is there another way to do the water test?

How do you know if the pan is hot enough if you only have a non stick teflon pan? is there another way to do the water test?

What is the best way to keep fresh herbs in the fridge?

What is the best way to keep fresh herbs in the fridge?

When I use a wood cutting board to chop onions, the smell and flavor of the onions stays in the board and transfers to everything else I cut on the board. How do I avoid this?

When I use a wood cutting board to chop onions, the smell and flavor of the onions stays in the board and transfers to everything else I cut on the board. How do I avoid this?

Can a garlic press be used rather than chopping garlic cloves?

Can a garlic press be used rather than chopping garlic cloves?

What is your opinion of the alternatives (faux meat) for the wfpb (whole food plant baed) lifestyle?

What is your opinion of the alternatives (faux meat) for the wfpb (whole food plant baed) lifestyle?

ould you explain the difference between white onions, yellow onions, sweet onions and red onions and does it really matter in a recipe to substitute one for the other?

ould you explain the difference between white onions, yellow onions, sweet onions and red onions and does it really matter in a recipe to substitute one for the other?

I’m curious…what are your observations about regional differences in the application of spices in recipes?

I’m curious…what are your observations about regional differences in the application of spices in recipes?

Are there ways to store/preserve fresh, green herbs (tarragon, basil, etc) for future use?

Are there ways to store/preserve fresh, green herbs (tarragon, basil, etc) for future use?

What is the best way to dry out and store herbs grown in the warmer months to use in the winter?

What is the best way to dry out and store herbs grown in the warmer months to use in the winter?

Are there any techniques to grill delicate whole fish without it falling apart? Also, what other ways would you cook a delicate whole fish if you were cooking outside?

Are there any techniques to grill delicate whole fish without it falling apart? Also, what other ways would you cook a delicate whole fish if you were cooking outside?

Can you discuss choosing the right vinegars and your favorites?

Can you discuss choosing the right vinegars and your favorites?

When should you use powders versus spices?

When should you use powders versus spices?

If I'm tempering spices prior to blending with the food in my recipe, could you please tell me if all tempering needs to be done in oil or can some spices be tempered in water?

If I'm tempering spices prior to blending with the food in my recipe, could you please tell me if all tempering needs to be done in oil or can some spices be tempered in water?

What is the best way to dry herbs and how to differentiate which herbs are preferred to be used fresh or dried?

What is the best way to dry herbs and how to differentiate which herbs are preferred to be used fresh or dried?

What is the best way to store dried spices and how ling can they stay. Fresh is great but some spices I use infrequently and i have basic spices i take camping.

What is the best way to store dried spices and how ling can they stay. Fresh is great but some spices I use infrequently and i have basic spices i take camping.

I am experimenting with some new spices and read about Seeds of Paradise. I ordered some to try. Any suggestions on use?

I am experimenting with some new spices and read about Seeds of Paradise. I ordered some to try. Any suggestions on use?

I bought a package of 13-bean soup mix. When I soaked the beans, they started opening up and basically falling apart and were wrinkly. Is this a sign that the beans are not good to eat? Why did they fall apart?

I bought a package of 13-bean soup mix. When I soaked the beans, they started opening up and basically falling apart and were wrinkly. Is this a sign that the beans are not good to eat? Why did they fall apart?

Trying to cook without salt for my elderly parents But need some taste in food!!!! They do not like Mrs dash. Can you suggest that would give good taste to food?

Trying to cook without salt for my elderly parents But need some taste in food!!!! They do not like Mrs dash. Can you suggest that would give good taste to food?

2 important fermentation books not to miss for miso and fermentation books, in general are: Sandor Katz's "Wild Fermentation", and Jeremy Umansky's "Koji"

2 important fermentation books not to miss for miso and fermentation books, in general are: Sandor Katz's "Wild Fermentation", and Jeremy Umansky's "Koji"

Are there some basic templates we can use to hit the various world flavor profiles as we learn to cook without recipes?

Are there some basic templates we can use to hit the various world flavor profiles as we learn to cook without recipes?

I want to buy new pots, pans, skillets. Many people have suggested that I consider All Clad. I am interested in the “copper core” All Clad line. Would this be a good choice? What are the drawbacks?

I want to buy new pots, pans, skillets. Many people have suggested that I consider All Clad. I am interested in the “copper core” All Clad line. Would this be a good choice? What are the drawbacks?

How to keep spices fresh? and how often should they be replaced to maintain freshness?

How to keep spices fresh? and how often should they be replaced to maintain freshness?

Could you talk about miso…the different types and how they’re used?

Could you talk about miso…the different types and how they’re used?

If we are doing spice blends of our own making, could you please give us a guide as to how certain groups of spices do or don't go together well.

If we are doing spice blends of our own making, could you please give us a guide as to how certain groups of spices do or don't go together well.

I cannot use chocolate - the theobromine gives too many side effects, is there a good carob sub?

I cannot use chocolate - the theobromine gives too many side effects, is there a good carob sub?

What is a good brand of vegan yogurt and type of vegan yogurt to use in baking recipes?

How does psyllium husk / powder work in gluten free baking? Is it possible to use it in muffins and cakes?

How does psyllium husk / powder work in gluten free baking? Is it possible to use it in muffins and cakes?

If you use an obscure ingredient will you please outline where to buy it, how to store it and for how long?

If you use an obscure ingredient will you please outline where to buy it, how to store it and for how long?

The first ingredient in many vegan butters and mayo is oil. Is there another substitute for oil free preparations?

The first ingredient in many vegan butters and mayo is oil. Is there another substitute for oil free preparations?

I see coconut or palm oil used frequently in baked goods. I'm concerned about the saturated fat content. What do you recommend as a substitute?

I see coconut or palm oil used frequently in baked goods. I'm concerned about the saturated fat content. What do you recommend as a substitute?

Will your chocolate cake recipe from the course work in a silicone mold?

Will your chocolate cake recipe from the course work in a silicone mold?

Can you give words of wisdom on using gluten free flour for your cakes and having the same wonderful results?

Can you give words of wisdom on using gluten free flour for your cakes and having the same wonderful results?

If making oat milk from cooked oats would you recommend steel cut or rolled oats and what proportion of oats to water?

If making oat milk from cooked oats would you recommend steel cut or rolled oats and what proportion of oats to water?

I’m having a terrible time trying to make vanilla pudding. Plant milk, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla...weeps liquid by next day. Any idea what I’m doing wrong?

I’m having a terrible time trying to make vanilla pudding. Plant milk, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla...weeps liquid by next day. Any idea what I’m doing wrong?

In your cookbook, Vegan Chocolate, the recipe for Very Fudgy Brownies (pg 128) calls for the batter to rest for ten minutes before baking. What is the reason for this step?

In your cookbook, Vegan Chocolate, the recipe for Very Fudgy Brownies (pg 128) calls for the batter to rest for ten minutes before baking. What is the reason for this step?

Would you please talk about the process of tempering chocolate? And please discuss when you should and when it's not necessary to do so.

Would you please talk about the process of tempering chocolate? And please discuss when you should and when it's not necessary to do so.

Is it worth the money to invest in a pasta making machine and if so- which do you recommend

Is it worth the money to invest in a pasta making machine and if so- which do you recommend

Does the cream dispenser work for aquafaba whipped cream?

Does the cream dispenser work for aquafaba whipped cream?

Can you talk about the various types of chocolate and how to decide which one to use?

Can you talk about the various types of chocolate and how to decide which one to use?

I have a favorite banana nut bread recipe which lists butter. What would be a good substitute in a plant based diet?

I have a favorite banana nut bread recipe which lists butter. What would be a good substitute in a plant based diet?

Is it possible to make vegan milk chocolate ganache and vegan white chocolate ganache?

Is it possible to make vegan milk chocolate ganache and vegan white chocolate ganache?

Is there a secret or formula when making desserts on how to not use standard sugar and substitute with maple syrup, honey, monk fruit or coconut sugar?

Is there a secret or formula when making desserts on how to not use standard sugar and substitute with maple syrup, honey, monk fruit or coconut sugar?

After finishing the FOK courses, are there other cooking classes I can take if I want to continue learning in this area?

After finishing the FOK courses, are there other cooking classes I can take if I want to continue learning in this area?

Is there a way to tell a good recipe from a bad one?

Is there a way to tell a good recipe from a bad one?

What's the longest tofu can be marinated before it starts to crumble?

What's the longest tofu can be marinated before it starts to crumble?