For those of you who know me, I’m an American, born and bred. My husband is English, born and bred. In terms of romance that’s a great combination. In terms of cooking, well… let’s just say we are definitely two nations divided by a common language!

Take eggs for example. Over in London, my husband’s family never stored eggs in the refrigerator. In the USA you would never store eggs anywhere but the refrigerator. What’s that all about?

Chris Kimbal’s magazine Cooks Illustrated has solved that mystery. In the USA, government standards say all eggs must be washed and stored at temperatures no higher than 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Washing the eggs is a good thing but it does leave the eggs without an outer coating and very susceptible to invasion by bacteria. Hence refrigeration is absolutely necessary.

In Europe eggs are not washed and don’t have to be refrigerated. Who knew?

This all leads me to say, that most of my recommendations are based on my American education and habits. Good or bad, right or wrong, that’s what I was taught. I am grateful that my English nephew, Jonathan, is a great cook and can often point out glaring difference in cooking styles.

In the meantime, please, do bring to my attention when I am being too American in my style and instructions. As a reader, please share with the rest of us if you have experience with different cultural interpretations of basic cooking techniques.

Thanks!

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