Key to Times Style

Unless otherwise indicated, make the following assumptions in Times recipes.

Butter: unsalted (sweet).

Eggs: large.

Flour: all-purpose.

Fruit and vegetable sizes: Onions and other items are assumed to be medium.

Milk: whole.

Oil: vegetable oil (canola, peanut, safflower, etc.).

Sugar: granulated.

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Glossary

Cherimoya: Yellow-green fruits that are now common in local supermarkets. The sweet and smooth flesh has a unique flavor of mango, banana, papaya and pineapple. Ripe fruit should feel as soft as a ripe avocado; avoid any whose scent hints of fermentation. Slight browning on the outside skin is normal and caused by handling and sudden changes in temperatures.

Nori: Sheets of nori, a Japanese seaweed, can be found in the deli section of many supermarkets.

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Lessons

Deep-frying: Oil for deep-frying most things doesn’t need to be very deep. An inch of oil in a straight-sided skillet should be enough. To test whether the oil is hot enough, add a cube of bread. If it sizzles immediately and browns within 5 to 10 seconds, the oil is ready.