How to Eat Supper

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When to Buy Pears

Dear Lynne, When is the right time to buy pears for different uses, like for poaching, or eating or roasting? And which ones have real flavor? Lucas from Des Moines...

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Dear Lynne, We want to throw a tapas party. Flan and fruits will be dessert, and we have the sherries and wine. We need help with the tapas. Recipes are all over the place, but we would like your ideas....

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Jam Tarts

Dear Lynne, I received four jars of very classy jam for the holidays. There is only so much toast and PB&Js in anyone's life. What can I do with the jams that won't insult their status? Will, in Milwaukee...

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Baked Egg Recipe

Dear Lynne, Sunday brunch is new for me. Instead of doing last minute eggs, can you give me a leg up with a baked egg recipe that I could add cheese and veggies to that I already have on hand...

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Rookie Fireplace Cook

Dear Lynne, You once talked about a good book for rookie fireplace cooks, can you remind me what the name of it is? Macey in South Dakota...

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Caring for Cutting Boards

Dear Lynne, My new apartment has a couple of tables/movable kitchen islands with wooden butcher-block tops. I've never used wooden cutting boards before. Are they sanitary? How do you clean them? Peggy in New Haven...

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Chandelier Medallions

Dear Lynne, I'm an interior designer and last week a client mentioned that you once told a story on-air about the secrets behind chandelier medallions ... can you re- tell? Joan, Santa Clara...

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Cremini or Portobello?

Dear Lynne, What is the difference between cremini and portobello mushrooms? They look the same but are different sizes. And are you supposed to keep mushrooms in the refrigerator or on the counter? Kerry in Joliet...

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Frozen Olive Oil

Dear Lynne, HELP! I purchased a case of 17-ounce bottles of "Imported 100% Pure Olive Oil - Extra Light Taste - The Gourmet's Choice." Accidentally it got frozen for a week. The oil thawed 24 hours at room temperature to...

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Frozen Vegetables

Dear Lynne, If you had to pick one frozen vegetable, what would it be? Sarah in Baltimore...

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Returning Bad Wine

Dear Lynne: Can I return a bottle of wine to the liquor store if it tastes terrible, like spoiled? It would be opened; will the people believe me? Amy in Green Bay...

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Cooking Artichokes

Q: My mother gave me some fresh artichokes and I have no idea how to cook them....

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Bread Making

Q: I have never made bread. It intimidates me. I don't have a lot of time, but I would like to make bread. I wondered if you had suggestions for bread-making machines. I don't know much about them. What should...

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How to Brine Turkey

I keep hearing about how brining is the best thing to do for a Thanksgiving turkey, but I have no idea where to start. Can I get a brining primer?...

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Thanksgiving on Hot Plates?

Dear Lynne, We are organizing our annual Thanksgiving buffet. My cousin is being a pain. She says we have to have hot plates to keep the turkey and my sausage stuffing hot. I think they are safe at room temperature...

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Choosing Wine Glasses

Dear Lynne, Is there an inexpensive “right” wine glass? We are celebrating my brother's new job and his first apartment. He's getting into wine so I thought wine glasses would be a good gift. Also, do I have to do...

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Children and Cooking

Q: Can you suggest any reference books for helping young children develop an interest in cooking?...

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College of the Atlantic

Q: I'm checking out colleges. Do you know of any that offer decent food on campus instead of the usual dreary and unhealthy fare?...

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Crisp Roasted Potatoes

Dear Lynne, Crisp roasted potatoes are my husband's great love (after me). Mine never crisp enough. Please tell me what's the secret? Many thanks. Peggy in Michigan...

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Where do I buy cranberry beans?

Q: I have several recipes that call for cranberry beans. I've tried my local co-op and grocery stores and can't find them. Is there another bean I could use instead?...

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Lynne's Thanksgiving Cooking Tips

A few ideas and words of wisdom from Lynne for the big feast:...

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Children's Books

Q: Can you recommend some exciting, educational cookbooks for children? I'd like to give one as a birthday gift....

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A Salt Primer

Q: When I go to the store these days there are many different kinds of salt: light salt, sea salt, table salt, Kosher salt, fine, coarse, with iodine and without. It's no longer just Morton's in the round box. I...

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Cast-Iron Pans

Q: I've been experimenting with blackening meat and fish using a cast-iron pan I borrowed from my mother. I want to get a pan for myself and wonder if all cast-iron pans are the same and how I should "season"...

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Tiny Fish Marinated in Oil and Vinegar

Q: Since my retirement I've started teaching in a master's program at various military bases around the world so I go overseas frequently, especially to Belgium, Germany, and Italy. On the two occasions I was in Naples, I had a...

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