The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cooking Techniques and Science

Book excerpt: You're no idiot, of course. You've often thought that cooking is a lot like a science experiment: There's lots of measuring and mixing involved-and you're never quite sure how it will turn out. Do not settle for burned biscuits and soggy spaghetti! To get better results in the kitchen, you need a solid understanding of how recipes work-and that's exactly what The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cooking Techniques and Science offers you. In this Complete Idiot's Guide, you get: Foolproof facts about what makes bread rise-and how to help the process along; Time-saving tips for making a great white or brown sauce; Simple advice on how to handle meat safely-and cook it so it tastes great; What to do when you're out of an ingredient-substitutions you can make in a pinch.