Barbara McClellan

No names are being changed because no names are being used in this column.

I have been waiting 40 to 50 years to write this column today. I started writing 54 years ago to share recipes with you instead of spending time writing them out.

Along with the recipes, I included various tips and tricks that I learned through seeking out, trying, tweaking and creating recipes. Because of all this, some people have decided that I know enough to answer their cooking/food questions.

I have learned a little but certainly claim no real authority in the food world. Today, I finally have the nerve to share some of my favorite questions from readers, friends or anyone who honors me by asking.

Here’s the deal: I am going to give you the answer I gave the innocent person, but I am going to follow my REAL answer with the answer I WANTED to give. Fortunately, my innate sense of sarcasm was usually suppressed when I gave the answer to the honestly asked question.

These are not in the order of which I received them or the degree of absurdity. I do promise you that they were really asked by real people.

I have received many questions through the years as to the safety of eating foods after a certain time period. Usually, this involved the date stamped on the produce such as “best by,” “use by,” “sell by” or “discard by.” I have addressed this topic in other columns.

QUESTION: Is there a difference in evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk?

ANSWER: Yes, evaporated milk is just like regular whole milk with about half the water removed. Sweetened condensed milk has sugar added and is thicker because more water has been removed.

S. A. (sarcastic answer): if you try to make a lemon ice box pie with evaporated milk, you will know the difference.

Q: Can you freeze fresh fruits or vegetables?

A: Yes. There are various ways: Blanch the vegetable (place in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, drain and plunge in ice water.) Most vegetables can be frozen immediately after picking by putting directly into sealed bags or containers. Wash after freezing before cooking or eating raw.

S.A.: Wait several days until decay or rot has set in — you will see that fruits and vegetables must be frozen immediately.

Q: When boiling water, should water be warm or cold?

A: It doesn’t matter. You can boil in microwave, on top of stove, or in an electric teapot (teapot is quickest.)

S.A.: “A watched pot is slow to boil.” Unless you are sitting around a campfire singing, “Kumbaya,” waiting for water to boil for coffee on a cold night, for two cups of water, it takes about two minutes. More water, longer time. Around the campfire? Seems like a lifetime.

Q: Does it matter if you stir food clockwise or counter clockwise?

A: In 70-some years of cooking, I have never noticed a difference. Because I am strongly right-hand dominate, I generally stir clockwise.

S.A.: in the Northern Hemisphere, one should alternate stirring both ways. In Southern Hemisphere, you will have a better result if you stand on your hands and stir with right foot.

Q: If recipe says “fold in by hand,” why can I not use a spoon or spatula?

A: Fold in “by hand” simply means not to use an electric mixer to add this ingredient (usually egg whites or whipping cream.)

S.A.: After you have tried to use bare hands to fold in ingredients, smear ingredient all over your face. It might be good for your skin (take a “selfie.”)