In a Nutshell:

Quick Sesame Chicken

For a delicious sesame chicken, season cubes of chicken breast and dredge in flour, then place into beaten eggs. Fry in hot oil. Combine equal parts water, brown sugar, and ketchup (about ¾ cup of each for 1½ lbs chicken), plus a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds. Pour over the chicken and bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes. 

—Chavi Feldman

FT, help me!!

How much alcohol remains in a dish after it’s cooked or baked?

The majority of the alcohol will evaporate during the cooking process, for example a 10-minute rapid simmer or a gentler two hours in the oven. A small percentage of alcohol will remain, usually less than half. But realize that this percentage is dispersed throughout the dish!

How much caffeine remains in a final dish after cooking or baking?

Caffeine, on the other hand, does not cook out when you cook or bake with it! The liquid you cooked it in will evaporate, but caffeine isn’t easily cooked out, so you should try to cook and bake with decaf coffee if you’re concerned (or cooking for kids!).

—Chanie Nayman

Review It!

Precut Round Parchment Paper with Tabs

Love it for transferring sourdough from the banneton to the Dutch oven. I also use it for round 9-inch pans. Bake a kugel, and watch it slide right out! 

—Rorie Weisberg

Just Sayin’

Always in my fruit drawer in the winter:

Pears. They’re the gem of winter, in my opinion. Just as versatile as apples, only a bit more unique. We also love persimmons, bananas, and grapes of all colors!  

—Estee Kafra

Ok, Quick:

Fast food or fine dining? 

As much as I love a great steak from Wall Street Grill, with its fabulous ambiance, I also love a great fried chicken sandwich from Dixie in Brooklyn. As long as they’re on point, I’m good with either. Make it fast, but make it fab!!! 

—Naomi Nachman

(Originally featured in Family Table, Issue 776)