Ask a Chef

Frequently asked questions and answers will be posted periodically. If you have submitted a question, it may be answered on the program or online. WNIT reserves the right to edit, respond and/or post viewer questions.

Q: You mentioned there are a few ways to keep cookies soft in a cookie jar. What were they again?

A: Start with an airtight container. Some people like to add a slice of bread or piece of an apple to keep them moist. In a perfect world, we’d bake fresh cookies every day.

Q: I've tried making meringue from scratch but mine always falls. I want to
impress my mother-in-law. What am I doing wrong?

A: Make sure you have a clean bowl – no oil, no yolk. If the meringue comes in contact with oil or yolk, it will make your meringue break down.

Q: I'm thinking of baking the turkey and stuffing together this year. I'm
afraid of undercooking the turkey or making dry stuffing. Are there tips I
need to know?

A: Keep the bird covered or cook it in a bag.

Q: I've decided to use fresh herbs from the garden I dried for the stuffing.
How do I know how much to use?

A: Start with a little less than usual as you can always add more.

Q: I want to bake stuffing in advance. How long will it keep and how do I
keep it tasting fresh.

A: It will keep 2-4 days. Keep the stuffing covered to prevent it from drying out.

Q: My mom's recipe calls for sifted flour. I don't even own a sifter. Is there something I can do at home to sift it myself? And what does a sifter do?

A: Put the flour in a paper bag and shake. Sifting breaks up the flour.

Q: My brother and his wife are vegetarians and are coming for the holidays. What kind of main dishes can I serve that are still in the festive theme?

A: Pasta primavera stir fry with fried rice

Q: What is a beverage that would go well with the holidays?

A: Spiced hot cider is favorite to many.

Q: Can you suggest a dessert that captures the spirit of summer to serve for the holiday?

A: Multi-berry shortcake with cranberries

Q: I need to make a dessert the night before our family get-together. Can you recommend anything?

A: Bread pudding, cakes and tortes always are good ideas. Check out the Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding recipe listed here. It was one we prepared on the show. It tastes great and makes a fantastic presentation.

Q: How can you prevent fudge from getting grainy?

A: It sounds like you’re overcooking the sugar. Keep the temperature under 250 degrees will prevent the sugar from crystallizing.

Q: Where can I find a good recipe for kolache?

A: One of the cookbooks I keep handy is The Joy of Cooking. You might also look in The Joy of Baking.

Q: I grill a lot of chicken breasts. Is there a way to test doneness without cutting into them which dries the meat out?

A: Use an instant read thermometer. The interior of a cooked chicken breast should read 160-165 degrees.

Q: How do you keep pasta from becoming sticky during service?

A: Add salt to the water when boiling then after draining pasta, add a little olive oil. It will add a light flavor to your pasta and keep your pasta sticky free.

Q: How do you prepare a Portobello burger?

A: As vegetarian menus become more available, we are seeing more requests like this one. To make a Portobello burger: take apart the mushroom, remove the gills, add your favorite fillings and toppings and bake, broil or grill until cooked through.

Q: What’s a good rule of thumb when selecting wines?

A: Go to a wine or liquor store and explain what you plan to serve. There are no formal rules anymore as wine tastes have changed. The wine expert will recommend wines that will balance your meal.

Q: When making candy to be dipped in chocolate, which is better – adding one tablespoon of paraffin or one tablespoon of oil?

A: Use oil. Adding paraffin will make the candy taste waxy.

Q: Can you freeze cooked crepes?

A: Absolutely. Simply layer them in wax paper and place that in a ziplock freezer bag until ready to use.

Q: What kinds of spices are good for Spanish Rice?

A: I’d recommend adding some fresh cilantro and garlic to give it a good fresh flavor.

Q: How do you keep the moisture drops off the meringue when placed in the refrigerator?

A: An easy fix is using loose plastic wrap

Q: When making cinnamon rolls, would Splenda be a good substitute?

A: Yes, Splenda is a sugar substitute that diabetics can tolerate. Equal is another option. You’ll need to experiment with the recipe to determine amounts.

Q: How does one become a top chef?

A: Go to school, become accredited and learn all aspects of the kitchen. The American Culinary Federation is a good place to become involved.

Q: What makes a great chef?

A: In my opinion, I’d say the ability to stay creative makes you more dynamic.

Q: What should I look for when buying pans and utensils?

A: Good quality is always top of my list when comparing brands. You’ll never regret investing a little more in equipment and they will last much longer and cause less frustration in the long run.

Q: Do you have a recipe for quick and easy cranberry sauce?

A: Cranberry sauce is a holiday favorite around the United States. Here’s my shortcut recipe: cranberry juice and a can of jellied cranberries. Mix the two and boil and you’ve got a great sauce that’s easy to make.

Q: How can you tell if asparagus is ripe?

A: Since asparagus is available year round thanks to importing vegetables, a sure bet is looking for a bright green color.

Q: What is your favorite seasoning to use with salmon?

A: Dill, lemon and tarragon

Q: I love making oyster stew with my double boiler but most of the time the milk curdles. What am I doing wrong?

A: You’re probably boiling too long which is overheating it thus curdling the milk

Q: What knife do you recommend for chopping herbs? Where is a good place to buy knives?

A: We used a French knife on the show. A great place to start is The Good Gourmet. The owner has a great working knowledge of knives.

Q: How creative can you get in the kitchen and at what point can you start experimenting?

A: Once you have the basics down and understand the various cooking methods and unique food properties, dare to be different!

Q: I have company coming for the holiday. My recipe says it serves four. I want to serve 20. What do I need to know when doubling recipes?

A: As far as scaling up recipes go, one is safe to increase the amount of the main item (meat, etc.), so there will be a sufficient amount for everyone. For example, if a recipe calls for a 6-ounce portion of meat per person, four servings would yeild 24 oz., 1.5 pounds of meat. These items can be scaled up directly, as can "secondary" ingredients, such as vegetables for a beef stew, for example.

One must take caution, however, in the amount of seasonings, especially salt, as well as other seasonings and/or herbs. The best guideline is one's palate and to season "to taste", keping in mind it is easier to add a little bit more than it is to take it out of the dish.

Q: What is the American Culinary Federation? How do I get involved?

A: For those who wish to pursue the Culinary Arts, there are two basic avenues: The ACF Apprenticeship Program and the Culinary arts program at Ivy Tech. I can expound on this at length during the program.

Q: I’ve started watching cooking shows and hear the word braising a lot. What does that mean?

A: Braising is a "combination method", meaning it utilizes both dry and moist heat methods. In the dry heat (with fat) method, the product, usually meat or poultry is browned, other ingredients, such as vegetables are added, and then a liquid, such as stock and/or wine is introduced, making it a moist heat method where the food cooks at a lower temperature (300-325) for a longer period of time (2-3 hours). The important thing to remember in braising is that the liquid that the prouct is cooked in becomes a sauce that is served with the dish.This method is suitable for tougher, less expensive cuts of meat, as in my favorite, Osso Buco, braised veal shanks.

Q: My biscuits came out looking like hockey pucks. Did I miss a step?

A: Hockey Puck Biscuits. Most probable cause was overmixing. The standard procedure for biscuits is to combine the "wet" ingredients (milk, eggs, etc.) and to combine the "dry" ingredients (flour, sugar, salt baking soda or powder, etc). Then add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined in a homogeneous mixture. Overworking this mixture will render them dense, assuming measurements and cooking time and temperature are correct.

Q: My Hollandaise Sauce broke. What happened? Could I have saved it or should I start over?

A: For broken Hollandaise Sauce tthere are a couple of possibilities. First, add a teaspoon of cold water and beat vigorously. Second, try adding another beaten egg yolk at room temperature. To prevent Hollandaise from breaking, use warm, not hot melted butter to avoid cooking the eggs. Beat the egg yolks over, not IN, hot water. Finally, add the butter slowly so the yolks can absorb the moisture, and don't add more butter than the yolks can hold.

Q: Is there a method in carving a turkey?

A: First, remove the drumsticks, then the thigh pieces, then the wings. to slice the breast meat, make a cut horizontally toward the rib cage; then, starting from the outermost point of the breast, cut thin slices, working your wat up to the breast bone. The horizontal slicewill allow the breast meat slices to fall off the carcass.

Q: I haven’t baked since last summer. How can I tell if the yeast I have in the refrigerator is still good?

A: Expired yeast. Go buy fresh. Expired yeast is "dead" yeast. It won't leaven.

Q: My brother and his wife are vegetarians and are coming for the holidays. What kinds of main dishes can I serve that are still in the festive theme?

A: Vegetarian guests? What kind? Vegans eat nothing but plants and vegetables. some will eat dairy, but not meat, others will eat fish but not dairy, etc. In many, if not most cases, vegetarians rely on some form of Soy (Tofu, etc.) for protein.

Q: I'm thinking of baking the turkey and stuffing together this year. I'm afraid of undercooking the turkey or making dry stuffing. Are there tips I need to know?

A: Cooking a stuffed turkey. Since the stuffing is being cooked inside the cavity of raw poultry, one must make sure that the internal temperature of the stuffing as well as that of the turkey is 180F.

Q: Wine? I’d like to serve it during the holiday but need a quick guide on when to serve what. Can you give me a head start?

A: Wine. Pretty much gone are the days of "red wine with red meat, white wine with fish and poultry", etc.It's pretty much an open field these days. Try to aviod the heavier, more tannic reds, such as Burgundy or Cabernet that might overpower the flavors of a delicate dish such as a fish or seafood selection. More savory dishes are sometimes complimented by somewhat sweeter wines, such as a Sauvinon Blanc or Pinot Grigio. Merlot and Shirhaz are popular red alternatives to the Cabs.

Ask a College Admissions Expert

Q: What does a college do when a student applies to college, but their high school GPA is dropping because of harder classes?

A: The answer to this question is dependent on the
college/university's policy. We are open access, so high school grades are
not a factor. We need to be sure of graduation, but we do not choose
students based on grades. I think this question is strictly a college
policy issue.

Q: If a college has an open admissions policy can anyone get in? Do you still have some prerequisites to attend there?

A: We do have standards of admission: generally, students must have earned
a high school diploma or G.E.D. For those who have not and whose high
school class has graduated, we may be able to admit them under the
Ability to Benefit policy. These students must achieve minimum scores
on an assessment test.

Open admissions colleges, including LMC, also do have prerequisites.
New students are required to take assessments in reading, math, and
English and to meet with an advisor. Individual courses have
prerequisites as well.

Q: If a college has an open admissions policy, is it first come first serve or do you still take the best of whose applied?

A: Open Admission means that students who qualify will be admitted -
making registration essentially first come, first served. Admission to
the college doesn't mean that a student will necessarily be able to
obtain the schedule of choice.

Q: How much emphasis is put on SAT or ACT scores?  Could a student get in Notre Dame with an SAT score of 1100 or 1200?

A: The SAT or ACT scores are not as important as a student's academic course load, grades and rank-in-class.  However, at Notre Dame with almost 1,000 high school valedictorians applying each year and with most applicants possessing excellent grades in demanding academic programs, the test scores are sometimes the deciding factor over who can be admitted.  The mid-fifty percentile range for the SAT in this year's first year class at Notre Dame was 1310-1460.  Among other things, this tells us that twenty-five percent of our current freshmen scored below 1310 on the SAT.  For these students some other part(s) of their application file were outstanding enough to offset scores which were in the bottom quartile of our entering students.

Q: How much are extracurricular activities factored into a student’s application to college?

A: This really depends on the college. For a more detailed answer, go to each colleges website.

Q: What factors are considered when students apply for college?

A: The high school transcript is the most important part of the application file.  The academic course load followed by the grades are reviewed first.  The ACT or SAT tests are then given attention followed by extracurricular activities, personal essay, and the teacher recommendation

Ask a Doctor

Q: What is the difference between Peripheral vascular disease and Peripheral Neuropathy. They both involve the legs. My husband has peripheral neuropathy.His legs and feet bother him with numbness and tingle.He takes Neurotin. What can be done?

A: Peripheral Vascular Disease is some degree of blockage in the arteries in the legs. It can act like Peripheral Neuropathy, which is damage to the nerves in the legs, but the symptoms are usually different. There is still no good treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy. Neurotin is one of the newer ones and may help some people. The other treatments are fairly old and, again, may help some people. They include, pain pills, nerve stimulators and controlling Diabetes very well.

Q: What is the difference between Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia and what are the symptoms for each?

A: Fibromyalgia is a non-inflammatory syndrome characterized by generalized pain, and fatigue seen mostly in young to middle aged women. Polymyalgia rheumatica is an intensely inflammatory systemic illness often seen in the elderly. Usually abrupt onset of pain in shoulders, upper arms, thighs and buttocks. Usually symptoms are more intense in the mornings. Laboratory tests of inflammation are frequently positive. Treatment usually involves low dose steroids for several months.

Q: I have a cholesterol level of 620. What can I do to lower it and how would it have gotten that high?

A: The treatment of high cholesterol entails many things, but the primary foundation of treatment is lifestyle changes to include Low Fat Diets, Weight Loss, and Regular Exercise. These factors need to be the addressed as a starting point before any other medical intervention, that includes a wide variety of prescription medications, vitamins and dietary supplements.
Additionally, other medical problems such as Diabetes Mellitus, Thyroid Disease, Obesity, and a variety of Gastrointestinal Disorders can complicate the treatment and management of Hyperlipidemia(high cholesterol).
This high level of cholesterol suggests a severe Primary Hyperlipidemia (inherited through genes) or a multifactoral Secondary Hyperlipidemia. Given the high risk associated with this high level for atherosclerosis, this patient should seek an evaluation from their physician as soon as possible for an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.

A2: A 620 Cholesterol is quite high. It is probably that high due to genetics(blame your family). Diet and exercise will always help, but a Cholesterol this high is not likely to become normal without medication. You should see your physician and discuss this with him/her.

Q: Are the over the counter products the best way to treat a yeast infection? If not what is a better way or other options?

A: OTC treatments for vaginal candida(yeast infections) are very effective when used properly. While there are some prescription treatments, such as a one time oral dose of Diflucan, the OTC treatments are equally effective and much less expensive. If OTC creams or suppositories do not adequately treat your usual yeast infection symptoms, I would suggest consulting with your physician to confirm that diagnosis and assure the patient that she does not have another type of infection.

A2: There is no best way to treat a yeast infection. Just different ways. The OTC medications all used to be prescription only, so they are perfectly good ways to treat a yeast infection.

Q: I have Carpal Tunnel. Is there anything I can do to relieve the pain or will I require surgery to get relief?

A: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has many treatment options prior to surgical intervention. If the symptoms are triggered by a repetitive action(like using a keyboard) job, it may be beneficial to attempt to alter activities during the course of the day to allow some rest between the aggravating action. In addition a supportive wrist brace may help prevent the onset of symptoms with the activity. If symptoms persist through the day and wake patients at night wrist brace(s) should be worn continuously through the day and night while asleep.
Patients can also take anti-inflammatory medicines such as over the counter nonsteroidal medicines(motrin/ibuprofen,aspirin,aleve). A variety of prescription anti-inflammatory medicines are available as well. At times steroid injections into the carpal tunnel can be effective, as well as a work hardening physical therapy program.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, depending on the degree of symptomology and the duration of the symptoms these other treatments can be attempted prior to surgery.

A2: For a Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), medication, splinting and time may help without surgery. Perhaps the most important non-surgical treatment is to find out what motion you are making repeatedly during the day and try to change how you do that motion. Often, just changing how you use your hand and wrist will help CTS a lot.

Q: I suffer from dizziness. What are factors that might be causing it?

A: Dizziness as a symptom can indicate a variety of potential causes. Problems can include Central Nervous System (Brain) disorders, Vestibular (Inner ear) disorders, Metabolic (for example Diabetes and Thyroid disease) disorders, Infectious (Viral labrynthitis)disorders, and Cardiovascular (Heart and High Blood Pressure) disorders. While many of the potential causes of dizziness can be benign and treatable, dizziness can also be a warning of many other more serious and life threatening disorders and patients should immediately seek an evaluation by their physician to determine the underlying cause for this complaint.

A2: Dizziness can be from several problems. The inner ear, the nervous system and even an abnormal heart rhythm can cause someone to feel dizzy. If this is continuing, you should see your Family Doctor.

Q: My husband and I have a 3 year old, and a 12 year old. Should our entire family get the flu shots? What is the benefit, and is there any down side to the shot?

A: Flu shot recommendations are changing each year. Healthy young adults are not on every list as a recommendation. Children, exposed to day care and school, are now on the recommended list. The main advantage of all of your family getting the flu shot is avoiding a 3 to 5 day illness this winter. The only significant side effect is the cost, as it may not be covered by insurance since none of you are at high risk.

Ask a Lawyer

Q: A store sold a gun to our minor child who got in legal touble as a result. What can be done to make the seller of the gun responsible?

A: The sale of handguns is regulated by the following statute.  It is a crime (A class A misdemeanor) to sell a handgun to a minor.  If the person selling the weapon did so knowingly, then they could be subjected to a fine of up to $5,000. and up to one year in jail upon conviction. A complaint could be filed with the police or the prosecutor.  If the violation was flagrant it might be worth talking to the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) which could then take action against the seller's license.

T35-47-2-7 Prohibited sales or transfers of ownership

Sec. 7. (a) Except an individual acting within a parent-minor child or guardian-minor protected person relationship or any other individual who is also acting in compliance with IC 35-47-10, a person may not sell, give, or in any other manner transfer the ownership or possession of a handgun or assault weapon to any person under eighteen (18) years of age.
(b) It is unlawful for a person to sell, give, or in any manner transfer the ownership or possession of a handgun to another person who the person has reasonable cause to believe:
(1) has been:
(A) convicted of a felony; or
(B) adjudicated a delinquent child for an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult, if the person seeking to obtain ownership or possession of the handgun is less than twenty-three (23) years of age;
(2) is a drug abuser;
(3) is an alcohol abuser; or
(4) is mentally incompetent.

Ask WNIT

Q: I don't understand why you still have pledge drives, doesn't most of your funding come from the government?

A: Many people think government heavily supports public broadcasting but the opposite is really true. We do receive some funding from the government, and we do appreciate our generous corporate supporters, but the bulk of our funding comes from individuals throughout our community. We rely on viewers just like you for approximately 70% of the funding needed for support of local programs and outreach efforts.

Q: Is my membership tax deductible?

A: Yes, a portion of your WNIT membership is tax deductible. However, if you receive a thank you gift with your membership, such as a VHS or DVD copy of a favorite program, you can deduct only the amount that exceeds the fair market value of the thank-you gift. For example, if you have a WNIT membership at the $125 level and receive a videotape of an Andre Rieu Special (retail value twenty dollars), you can deduct $105 from your taxes. WNIT provides a tax report to all members that can be used when completing your tax returns. Your membership investment is fully used to support programs and outreach efforts throughout our community.

Q: I have an idea for a new show. What do I do next? What is the process from idea to it being on air?

A: We would be happy to send you a copy of our WNIT Local Production Application Process form to fill out. It includes the guidelines, rules and application regulations. Once filled out and returned, it would go through a review process with the Production Team at WNIT. No program will be committed to air until the final product(s) is completed, evaluated and approved.

Q: I have a small business and have heard about donating for auction but I'm not clear on the details.

A: Our yearly auction is an exciting way to reach out and tell people about your business while, at the same time, add valuable support for programs and outreach efforts that have an impact on our community. Contact the WNIT Auction Manager, Doris Ann Doyle, at (574) 675-9648 with questions. Your support of the WNIT auction with merchandise donations or certificates for services shows reflects your investment in our community while creating awareness of your business. It’s a "win-win" situation for everyone. And, don’t forget, you can also support WNIT with a cash donation. Your support, in whatever manner, is gratefully appreciated.

Q: How do I get a copy of a show I saw on your station?

A: It depends on what program you want. In general, just call us at 574-675-9648 and we can put you in touch with the producers of a particular program. Not all programs are available for purchase however. Those rights reside with the producer, not with WNIT as the broadcaster.

Q: What is a membercard and how do I get one?

A: The WNIT "Entertainment Plus" membercard is a unique, community based benefit to members. When you become a member at the $66 dollar level and above you automatically receive the card. The card gives members special savings at area attractions including museums, music events, special celebrations and more. It’s a member "perk" that has benefits throughout the entire year.

Q: I hear a lot about digital, hi def and HDTV. What does it all mean and will I have to get a new TV set?

A: In order to watch WNIT-DT, you will have to buy either a new digital TV ($1,000+) or a converter box for your existing analog TV ($300-500). Digital TV allows you to see certain PBS programs in high-definition, and will also allow you to view any other conventional programs that we would choose to air on our digital channel, but not our analog channel 34. The current FCC rule for discontinuing analog TV service is when 85% of the homes in a station's viewing area have a digital receiver. The current receiver penetration in our area is under 1%, so it will probably be a long time before we turn off the old WNIT 34.

Q: My child loves Clifford. How can I use the program to teach other things?

A: Sure, WNIT's Ready to Learn service is all about empowering parents, teachers, and caegivers to use the power of television to teach. You can check out the Ready to Learn section on WNIT.org and, if you would like more information, simply give us a call. The chances are WNIT is presenting a Ready to Learn workshop near you and we invite all parents to attend.

Q: I love Monthy Python. Do you have plans to run it again?

A: Unfortunately, WNIT broadcast rights to Monty Python expired in 1999. In order for WNIT to run this series again, we would have to purchase the broadcast rights from the BBC to do so and currently it is not in our budget to do so. However, if we get enough interest we would be happy to re-evaluate it and perhaps plan it into next year's budget.

Q: As a science teacher, I’m interested in study guides or teaching materials.

A: There is something to support virtually every program on WNIT. A great wealth of material is available online and at WNIT.org you can access the website associtated with any program we air. There is also a variety of print materials available for parents, teachers, and caregivers and all you need to do is call the station.

Q: I am a musician and would like to know how to audition to be on one of your programs.

A: As a band, you would want to be on either Night Shift or Open Studio. If you think your band would fit into the format of these programs, simply call the producers. For Open Studio, call Rod Jernas or Brenda Bowyer and for Night Shift, call Jason Mumaw.

Q: What happened to Black Adder?

A: We never ran the Black Adder series although we did air a marathon session during a pledge drive a few years back. As with all other program suggestions, we weigh the feedback we get from our viewers and members and try to craft the schedule that will best meet the diverse needs and interests of our community. If enough people speak up, we will listen.

Q: Is the Steve Allen Series "Meeting of the Minds" available on DVD or video cassette?

A: Boy, not that I can find anywhere-and I looked. I believe it is out of print, as it were, and no longer available for home video purchase.

Q: Why does WNIT still sign off the air?

A: WNIT has three major costs in being on the air -- transmitter electricity, operator staffing, and the costs of the program being aired. Currently we are on the air from 6AM until midnight. The additional annual costs of staying on the air during the midnight - 6AM time period are over $40,000 just for transmitter electricity and operating staff alone, and that does not include the cost of buying the rights to the programs we would air during that time. Since the potential audience during the midnight-6AM period is only a tiny fraction of that during the day, it is really not cost-effective for us to stay on the air all night.