Grandma tries to teach Swimgirl how to cook! Quiz

Answer: Twine

Grandma was one of the early 1900's Texas ranch generation that ran outside, grabbed the oldest hen and did the deed because the family must be fed. To truss the chicken (or turkey) means to bind the legs and/or wings of the carcass with kitchen twine to allow it to bake in a compact unit (i.e. no burnt bits.)

Rosemary and thyme are superb seasonings and fancy paper "hats" on the legs are lovely additions when serving if one wants to impress the neighbors. Usually, I am lucky to even get the chicken and side dishes on the table before Hubby, Swimgirl and (boyfriend) Trapshooter dig in. I guess that's a compliment to my cooking if not my dinner presentation skills!

Answer: Rolling pin

I have a rolling pin that has inches marked on it so that I may measure the size of the pie crusts that I never make. However, it's nice to know it's there in case I suddenly find the pie crust urge. (I had fun with the other answers...in fact, they are more in line with the way I cook!)

Answer: Parchment Paper

The bottoms of a fancy layer cake pan should be greased and floured then covered with a circle of parchment paper (or in a pinch, waxed paper) which is then greased and floured in its own right before the batter is added. (Eewww - the other options are just yucky!)

Answer: a dish towel

One clears, one washes and one dries with a dish towel. The Shelties refuse to do anything but lick the plates...they are hopeless with drying and putting away. I invented the term "Lucite vacuum dryer" but perhaps it would be a good thing to help in kitchen cleanup!

Answer: Lazy Susan

The serving item is a "Lazy Susan" which is a circular piece in the center of the table that rotates. It holds condiments so that people do not have to ask a neighbor to pass the salt. (A layabout is a synonym for lazy) Please invite me over if you make duxelle - mushrooms, shallots, herbs and wine! A Tarantula is a big spider, but was also known as a liquor display in the 19th century - various "arms" with diverse choice.

A Cozy Platter sounds nice - it might be a vintage record or hot chocolate, popcorn and a blankie on a snowy night!

Answer: Colander

Tricky one...a colander is used to drain boiled items such as pasta and veggies. A gravy boat is presented at the table to serve sauces and gravies. A dish drainer is typically used after the meal at the clean up time before Grandma calls the lemur in to finish off the leftovers.

Answer: Rice

A potato ricer was an extremely useful tool before the age of the food processor. It helped with each of the options except (ironically) rice. (Some say that the utensil was called a ricer because it reduced potato meal to the size of rice...who knows?)

Answer: Mandoline

A Mandoline is an implement used for slicing fruits and vegetables - Grandma uses this quite often to make salads, gratins and pies. A Mandolin is a musical instrument similar to a lute. A Cello and Birch Stirrer are quite nice in their own right.

Answer: Double boiler

A Bain Marie is indeed a double boiler. You don't need a fancy set-up. A mixing bowl over a small pot of simmering water will do the trick. I completely made up the foils!

Answer: Aioli

Tofu and Ghee are strained through cheesecloth as is Quark (a form of unsalted German cheese shaped through pressing on cheesecloth.) Aioli is a nice sauce made of garlic, egg, salt and olive oil - no cheesecloth is involved. (OK, I admit...the Quark answer immediately made me think of Star Trek. Dweeby, I know!)