How do you make the perfect mince pie?
Shrimoy
I love a good old mince pie but have never been able to bring myself to make a proper one in India. Other than all the dried mixed fruit, candied peel, nuts and spices, traditionally the sweet mincemeat is dotted with beef suet, the really flavoursome fat which forms around the kidney. I’ve never been able get my head around the idea of making them with or without suet. So I’ve just never made them at all.
What is the secret to making good pizza dough? I just can’t seem to get it right.
Mary
Time and patience, sweetheart. You really have to go for that tried and tested long and slow process if you want that delicious aerated crispy crust and a now-soggy bottom, sorry base. Don’t want to offend anyone. Anyway you’re in luck, I’ll give you some of my sourdough starter and you can have a play around.
How to make and keep a white sauce pasta dish ready, ahead of time, for a crowd? (So that it doesn’t turn mushy and dry)
Supriya
I’m not really a white saute pasta man myself but I guess is I was making a kind of pasta to be baked later. Then I’d cook the sauce and pasta seperately. Let them cool and mix them together later. It’s usually the residual heat from the sauce and pasta that continues to soak into the pasta.
What is the easiest recipes (home cooked) you would recommend for New Year lunch at home?
Devjani
I could write a book! And I’ve written all sorts over the years for my The Telegraph festive columns. From traditional British all the way to a vegan Christmas a couple of years ago. I suggest you go to The Telegraph archive online.
What would you like to tell all who sell French fries, chips and breadcrumb-coated fish in the name of fish and chips?
Devjani
My lips are sealed but there is a great recipe for proper banging British batter-fried fish and chips.
What is the difference between tiramisu and cheesecake?
Subhankar
Interestingly, both are cheesecakes. There are so many different types and styles across the world. Yet the only ones people have led themselves to believe as acceptable cheesecakes is a good old Jewish baked one or its long-lost sister, the tiramisu!
Where can I buy good quality knives and how to maintain them?
Masum
Amazon is probably the best plate to go looking for decent quality knives in India if I’m honest. You can easily find it at Victorinox.
What kind of a food establishment would work well near a railway station in West Bengal?
Nitin
It’s your lucky day! I usually charge for that sort of advice! But anyway, a lot of it will depend on if you own the space or you are paying rent but my best advice is to keep it simple, think about what the masses love to eat, either as a meal or just something to chomp on, keep your pricing targeted at them. Obviously, your profitability per plate will be low, so think about volumes and go for the numbers game. If you try anything else, there’s a good chance of failure.