The Top 10 Most Searched Cooking Questions Answered

Have you ever found yourself in the kitchen, mid-recipe, with a question that sends you straight to the internet? You’re not alone! Millions of food- and cooking-related queries flood search engines each year as home cooks and food enthusiasts seek answers to their culinary conundrums. From decoding cooking techniques to solving chopping dilemmas, the most-searched food questions reveal how much we rely on digital guidance in the kitchen. Here, we go over the top 10 most-searched cooking questions – providing clear, concise answers to help you cook with confidence and curiosity.

How to boil an egg

1. Place Eggs in a Pot: Arrange eggs in a single layer in a pot and cover them with 1–2 inches of cold water.
2. Bring to a Boil: Heat the pot over medium-high heat until the water reaches a rolling boil.
3. Set a Timer: Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the eggs sit:
   1. Soft-boiled: 4–6 minutes
   1. Medium-boiled: 7–9 minutes
   1. Hard-boiled: 10–12 minutes
4. Cool and Peel: Transfer eggs to an ice bath for 5 minutes, then peel under running water.

How to make a basic omelette

1. Crack and Whisk: Beat 2–3 eggs in a bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper until fully blended.
2. Heat the Pan: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter or heat a drizzle of oil.
3. Cook the Eggs: Pour the eggs into the pan, tilting to spread them evenly. Cook for 1–2 minutes, gently stirring the edges toward the center.
4. Add Fillings (Optional): Sprinkle shredded cheese, cooked veggies, or meats on one side of the omelette.
5. Fold and Serve: Once the eggs are mostly set, fold the omelette in half and slide it onto a plate.

How to cook pasta

1. Boil Water: Fill a large pot with water, leaving room for the pasta. Add a generous pinch of salt and bring to a rolling boil.
2. Add Pasta: Add your pasta to the boiling water and stir to prevent sticking.
3. Cook to Al Dente: Refer to the package for cooking time, usually 8–12 minutes. Taste occasionally; it should be firm but not hard.
4. Drain: Reserve a cup of pasta water (optional for sauces), then drain the pasta in a colander.
5. Serve: Toss with your favorite sauce or toppings and enjoy!

How to cook rice

1. Rinse the Rice: Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2. Measure Water: Combine the rinsed rice with 2 cups of water (or follow the package ratio) in a pot.
3. Boil: Bring the water and rice to a boil over medium-high heat.
4. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a tight lid, and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes (or as directed on the package). Avoid lifting the lid.
5. Rest: Turn off the heat and let the rice sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
6. Fluff and Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork and serve.

How to cook a steak

1. Choose and Season: Select your preferred cut of steak (e.g., ribeye, sirloin) and let it come to room temperature. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Heat the Pan: Preheat a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over high heat until hot. Add a tablespoon of oil with a high smoke point (e.g., canola or avocado oil).
3. Sear the Steak: Place the steak in the pan and sear for 2–3 minutes on each side without moving it, until a golden-brown crust forms.
4. Cook to Desired Doneness: Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking, flipping occasionally:
   1. Rare: 120°F (5–6 minutes total)
   1. Medium-rare: 130°F (6–7 minutes total)
   1. Medium: 140°F (8–9 minutes total)
5. Rest the Steak: Remove the steak from the pan and let it rest for 5–10 minutes before slicing.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Slice against the grain and serve hot.

How to cook roast beef

1. Choose and Prep the Beef: Select a roast (e.g., rib, sirloin, or top round). Let it come to room temperature. Pat dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs or spices.
2. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Sear the Beef (Optional): Heat a skillet over high heat, add oil, and sear the beef on all sides for 2–3 minutes per side for a flavorful crust.
4. Roast: Place the beef on a roasting rack in a pan. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part. Roast until it reaches your desired doneness:
   1. Rare: 125°F (51°C)
   1. Medium-rare: 135°F (57°C)
   1. Medium: 145°F (63°C)
5. Rest the Roast: Remove from the oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 15–20 minutes. The internal temperature will rise slightly.
6. Slice and Serve: Slice thinly against the grain and serve with your favorite sides.

How to cook asparagus

1. Prep the Asparagus: Wash and trim the woody ends of the asparagus by snapping or cutting off the entire white base (can be up to 2.5”).
2. Choose Your Cooking Method:
   1. Boil: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add asparagus and cook for 2–4 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and serve.
   1. Steam: Place asparagus in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for 4–5 minutes.
   1. Sauté: Heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add asparagus and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   1. Roast: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 12–15 minutes.
3. Serve: Season with salt, pepper, and optional toppings like lemon juice, parmesan, or garlic.

How to cut a mango

1. Trim the Ends: Slice off the top and bottom of the mango to create a stable base.
2. Identify the Pit: Hold the mango upright with the stem facing up. The pit is flat and oval-shaped, running lengthwise through the center.
3. Slice Off the Sides: Using a sharp knife, cut along each side of the pit, creating two large “cheeks.”
4. Score the Flesh: Score the flesh of each mango cheek in a grid pattern, being careful not to cut through the skin.
5. Flip and Scoop: Gently invert the mango cheeks, pushing the scored flesh outwards like a fan. Cut off the pieces from the skin.
6. Cut the Remaining Flesh: If there’s any leftover flesh around the pit, slice it off and enjoy!

How to peel and cut a pineapple

1. Cut Off the Top and Bottom: Place the pineapple on a stable surface. Slice off the top (crown) and bottom of the pineapple to create flat surfaces.
2. Peel the Pineapple: Stand the pineapple upright and, using a sharp knife, cut down the sides to remove the skin. Follow the shape of the fruit to remove all the spiky outer skin, making sure to cut off any “eyes” (brown spots).
3. Cut into Quarters: Cut the peeled pineapple in half lengthwise, then cut each half into two quarters.
4. Remove the Core: The core is tough and fibrous, so cut it out from each quarter by slicing along the center of each piece. Discard the core.
5. Cut into Slices or Chunks: Slice each quarter into rings or chop into bite-sized chunks, depending on your preference.

How to melt chocolate in the microwave

1. Chop the Chocolate: Cut your chocolate into small, uniform pieces to ensure even melting.
2. Place in Microwave-Safe Bowl: Add the chopped chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl.
3. Microwave in Intervals: Heat the chocolate on medium power (50%) for 20-30 seconds at a time. After each interval, stir the chocolate well to ensure even melting and prevent burning.
4. Repeat: Continue microwaving and stirring in short intervals until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted.
5. Use Immediately: Once melted, use the chocolate right away, or let it cool slightly if needed.

Be cautious not to overheat the chocolate, as it can seize or burn easily.

Bon Appetite!

Did we miss anything you want to know? What are your burning food questions? Let us know in the comments!