Burnt Foods

If exposed to heat long enough, almost all foods will carbonize or burn. In some cases, carbonization is desirable, as in a finely charred piece of grilled meat or the deeply browned crust of creme brulee (”burnt cream”). In other instances, the cooking simply goes too far, resulting in accidentally burnt food.

To remove burned-on food from a pan, douse the burnt bits with fabric stain remover. Let the pan sit for a few minutes, then wipe off the food with a scrubbie. Much quicker than soaking the pan overnight. Or you can dribble 2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid in the bottom of the pan, add hot water to cover the bottom, then bring it to a boil on the stove top.

You can also soak the pan in baking soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry baking soda and a moist scouring pad. If the food is really stuck, cover it with a thick layer of baking soda, sprinkle with just enough water to moisten, and let it sit overnight before scrubbing clean.