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Kitchen Reference

We’re giving you the keys to the kitchen, so you can unlock your inner chef. Find a glossary of terms, techniques, equipment, ingredients and more to improve your skills in the kitchen, and bring your A game to the table.

  Ingredients List
 

Aluminum Foil

Description

  • Aluminum foil is a thin pliable sheet of aluminum sold on a roll or by the sheet.
  • Aluminum foil is used to cover or wrap foods. Aluminum foil is a good heat and cold barrier.
  • It is available in regular, heavy-duty, non-stick and in two sizes, regular and extra wide

Substitutions

  • When covering food before freezing it, use plastic resealable freezer bags or food storage containers. Plastic food bags or food wrap can be used to cover a food before refrigerating it.

Tips

  • Use aluminum foil to line baking pans and to wrap food for freezing.
  • Do not use aluminum foil to cover or wrap acidic foods, such as tomatoes, because the acid will pit the foil.
  • Generally, aluminum foil should not be used in the microwave oven.

Baking Dishes

Description

  • Baking dishes or casseroles are square, oblong or rectangular dishes made of glass, ceramic or other materials. They are used to bake lasagna, casseroles, etc. They are often decorative and colorful and are designed to go from oven to table. Many casseroles are freezer and dishwasher safe. Some come with lids.
  • Common sizes are 1, 2, 2 ½ quart and 3 quart dishes. Some are much larger.
  • The term “baking dish” most often refers to a square or rectangular 8 or 9-inch, 12x8-inch or 13x9-inch oven-proof glass dish, although other sizes are available. While they are often used for baking cakes and brownies, lasagna, meatloaf, and casseroles are often baked in baking dishes. They tend to be plain glass without a design.
  • A lasagna pan is a ceramic or enamel pan sold to bake and serve lasagna. They often have handles for easy removal from the oven. Most are 13x9-inches or slightly larger.

Substitutions

  • Either a baking dish or casserole can be used if the size is adequate for the recipe.