How to Measure Wet and Dry Ingredients - Kitchen Conundrums with Thomas Joseph

Summary

In this informative video, Thomas Joseph addresses common kitchen conundrums by teaching viewers the proper techniques for measuring ingredients. He differentiates between wet and dry measuring cups, emphasizing the importance of not packing flour into the cup and the correct way to measure dense ingredients like sugar and brown sugar. For sticky liquids, he suggests using a spouted glass measuring cup and a non-stick spray. Additionally, he highlights the use of a digital scale for weight-based measurements, ensuring accuracy in recipes. The video offers practical tips to help viewers succeed in the kitchen, inviting them to share their own conundrums for solutions.

Takeaways

• 📏 There are two types of measuring cups: wet and dry, used for different ingredients based on their consistency.
• 🥄 When measuring dry ingredients like flour, avoid dipping the cup directly into the container to prevent packing; instead, fluff the flour and scoop it lightly.
• 🍽 For dry ingredients, use an offset spatula to level off the cup after tapping it to settle any pockets of air.
• 🥄 Sifted flour should be measured after sifting to ensure a lighter, less compacted measurement.
• 🍬 For dense ingredients like sugar, you can dip the measuring cup directly into the container and level it off for consistent weights.
• 🍯 To keep brown sugar soft, store it in an airtight container with a piece of bread or apple.
• 🍯 Pack brown sugar firmly into the measuring cup, ensuring it holds its shape when tapped out, indicating proper packing.
• 🥃 Use a spouted glass measuring cup for liquid ingredients, and spray the cup with non-stick cooking spray for sticky substances like honey or molasses.
• 🔬 For measuring by weight, use a digital scale, ensuring to zero out the weight of the container first.
• ⚖️ Certain recipes require ingredients to be measured by weight, such as chocolate or fruit, for precise baking results.
• 👀 Always check the level of your liquid measurement by bending down to eye level to ensure accuracy.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is teaching viewers how to properly measure ingredients for cooking and baking.

What are the two types of measuring cups mentioned in the video?

The two types of measuring cups mentioned are wet measuring cups and dry measuring cups.

What is the purpose of a dry measuring cup?

A dry measuring cup is used for measuring dry ingredients like flour, sugar, brown sugar, mayonnaise, and sour cream.

How should you measure flour to avoid packing it too tightly?

To avoid packing flour too tightly, you should use a scoop or spoon to gently mix and fluff the flour before scooping it into the measuring cup.

What does 'sifted flour' mean in a recipe?

Sifted flour means that you should sift the flour first and then measure it from the bowl to ensure a lighter and less compacted measurement.

How is sugar measured in the video?

Sugar is measured by simply dipping the measuring cup into the container and giving it a good swipe to level off the top.

What is a tip for keeping brown sugar soft?

To keep brown sugar soft, store it in an airtight container with a piece of bread or apple, which helps maintain moisture.

How should you measure sticky and viscous liquids like honey or molasses?

Use a spouted glass measuring cup and spray the inside with non-stick cooking spray to ensure the liquid slides out easily.

What tool is recommended for measuring ingredients by weight?

A digital scale is recommended for measuring ingredients by weight, such as chocolate or fruit.

Why is it important to zero out the weight of the bowl on a digital scale?

Zeroing out the weight of the bowl ensures that you are only measuring the weight of the ingredient and not the bowl itself.

How can viewers get help with their own kitchen conundrums?

Viewers can write in the comment section of the video or reach out using the hashtag 'kitchen conundrums' to get help with their kitchen problems.

Outlines

00:00

📏 Mastering Measurement Basics in the Kitchen

Thomas Joseph introduces the importance of accurate measurement in cooking and baking. He explains the difference between dry and wet measuring cups, emphasizing that dry measuring cups are for flour, sugar, and similar items that can be leveled off, while wet measuring cups are for liquids that level themselves. Joseph demonstrates the correct way to measure flour by scooping and leveling, ensuring not to pack the flour too tightly. He also discusses the process of measuring sifted flour for a lighter consistency and how to measure sugar and brown sugar, noting the importance of keeping brown sugar soft with a piece of bread or apple.

🍯 Techniques for Liquid and Weight Measurements

The script continues with liquid measurements, showing how to use a spouted glass measuring cup for sticky substances like honey or molasses, and the use of non-stick cooking spray to facilitate easy pouring. Joseph advises viewers to check the level of their measurement by eye to ensure accuracy. Additionally, he covers the use of a digital scale for recipes that require ingredients to be measured by weight, such as chocolate or fruit. He explains the process of zeroing the scale with the bowl to exclude its weight and then measuring the ingredient accurately.

Keywords

💡Measuring Cups

Measuring cups are tools used in cooking and baking to measure the volume of ingredients accurately. In the video, two types of measuring cups are discussed: wet and dry. Wet measuring cups are for liquids, while dry measuring cups are for dry ingredients like flour and sugar. The video explains the correct way to use each type to ensure accurate measurements, which is crucial for successful recipes.

💡Dry Measuring Cup

A dry measuring cup is specifically designed for measuring dry ingredients such as flour, sugar, and brown sugar. The script emphasizes the importance of not dipping the cup directly into the canister to avoid packing the flour too tightly, which can lead to inaccurate measurements. Instead, one should scoop and sprinkle the flour into the cup, then level it off, as demonstrated in the video.

💡Wet Measuring Cup

A wet measuring cup is used for liquids that can level themselves off, allowing for the clear visibility of measurement lines. The video mentions that this type of cup is suitable for ingredients that can self-level, such as water or oil, and it is essential for precise liquid measurements in recipes.

💡Flour

Flour is a staple ingredient in baking. The video script describes the proper technique for measuring flour using a dry measuring cup. It explains that flour should be fluffed and lightly mixed before scooping to prevent compaction, which can alter the measurement. The method of leveling off the flour in the cup is also highlighted.

💡Sugar

Sugar is another common ingredient in cooking and baking. The script clarifies that sugar is dense and does not need to be fluffed like flour. It can be measured by simply dipping the dry measuring cup into the sugar and leveling it off with a straight edge, ensuring consistent weight for accurate recipe results.

💡Brown Sugar

Brown sugar is a moist, sticky sweetener that can harden over time. The video offers a tip for keeping brown sugar soft by storing it in an airtight container with a piece of bread or apple. When measuring brown sugar, it should be packed into the cup, and the script provides a test to ensure it's packed firmly enough.

💡Sifted Flour

Sifted flour refers to flour that has been passed through a sieve to remove lumps and aerate it. The video explains that when a recipe calls for sifted flour, one should sift it first and then measure from the resulting mixture to achieve a lighter, more consistent volume of flour.

💡Liquid Measurements

Liquid measurements are essential for recipes that require precise amounts of liquids such as water, milk, or honey. The video demonstrates how to use a spouted glass measuring cup for sticky substances like honey, suggesting the use of non-stick cooking spray to facilitate easy pouring and accurate measurement.

💡Digital Scale

A digital scale is a device used to measure ingredients by weight, which can be more precise than volume measurements, especially for items like chocolate or fruit. The script explains the process of zeroing out the scale with the bowl on it to ensure that only the weight of the ingredient is measured.

💡Zeroing Out

Zeroing out, or taring, a scale is the process of setting the scale to read zero with the container on it, so that the weight of the container does not affect the measurement of the ingredient. This is an important step when using a digital scale for ingredient measurement, as shown in the video.

💡Kitchen Conundrums

Kitchen Conundrums is the theme of the video, referring to common questions or problems that people face in the kitchen. The host, Thomas Joseph, addresses these conundrums by providing tips and techniques for accurate ingredient measurement, aiming to solve viewers' kitchen dilemmas.

Highlights

Introduction to the importance of correct measurement in cooking and baking.

Differentiation between wet and dry measuring cups and their respective uses.

Proper technique for measuring flour to avoid packing it into the cup.

The necessity of fluffing and leveling off flour for accurate measurement.

Explanation of when to sift flour and its impact on measurement.

Correct method for measuring dense ingredients like sugar without stirring.

Technique for measuring brown sugar and keeping it from hardening.

Use of an airtight container and a piece of bread or apple to maintain brown sugar softness.

How to properly pack brown sugar for recipes that require it.

Introduction to liquid measurement using a spouted glass measuring cup.

Tips for measuring sticky and viscous liquids like honey or molasses.

The use of non-stick cooking spray for easy removal of sticky liquids.

How to accurately measure liquid ingredients by ensuring level readings.

Introduction to measuring ingredients by weight using a digital scale.

Process of zeroing out the scale to account for the weight of the bowl.

The benefits of measuring by weight for certain recipes and ingredients.

Invitation for viewers to share their kitchen conundrums for future solutions.

Transcripts

[Music]

hey everybody Thomas Joseph here with

another kitchen conundrum for you now

today we're going back to the basics

with measuring you need to learn how to

measure correctly to have success when

you are making recipes so today I'm

going to show you how to do that

starting off two different types of

measuring cups we have a wet measuring

cup and we have a dry measuring cup here

now when you're using a dry measuring

cup this is for things like flour and

sugar and brown sugar you can also

measure things like mayonnaise and sour

cream in a dry measure anything that you

can actually level off that is what

you're going to use this for now for

something that you would use a wet

measure for would be anything that will

level itself off so that you can see it

with those lines so liquids they would

go into this measuring cup here I'm

going to start with dry measuring now

flour main ingredient in baking here

what you need to know is that you

shouldn't dip your Cup right into the

canister itself cuz what that does is it

packs flour into the cup so take a scoop

or a spoon and gently mix the flour

lightening it incorporating a little bit

of air because as this canister of flour

sits on your shelf it actually compacts

itself it settles on itself so give it a

little bit of a Fluff here and scoop it

into your cup sprinkling it in using

that offset spatula anything with a

straight side you want to give the cup a

little bit of a tap settling in any

Pockets that might be in this cup of

flour and a good swipe leveling it off

and that is a perfect half cup of flour

now if a recipe calls for sifted flour

what that means is that you need to sift

the flour first and then measure from

this bowl measure this mixture here and

what that means is you're getting a

lighter cup of flour something that

isn't so heavy now something like sugar

sugar is already dense so there's no

need to Stir It Up and you don't need to

scoop into the cup you can simply dip

your cup into the canister itself and

give it a good swipe and the weights

would be completely consistent here this

is a perfect half cup of sugar now brown

sugar we get a lot of questions here in

the test kitchens how do I keep my sugar

from getting too hard keep it in a well

sealed container one of these airtight

containers is really great take a piece

of bread some people like to use a piece

of apple and store it in with your brown

sugar and it will help to keep the sugar

nice and soft take your measuring cup

dip it into the brown sugar and pack the

sugar into the cup most recipes call for

packed brown sugar now you know you've

done this right if you tap it out into a

bowl and the sugar holds its shape if it

crumbles that means that you haven't

packed it firmly enough and that you

should start over so now for liquid

measurements use a spouted glass

measuring cup here and when you're

measuring things like honey or molasses

anything that's sticky and viscous

sometimes corn syrup give your glass a

spray with um some non-stick cooking

spray and what that does is it will

easily slide out on you so I'm using

honey today a/2 cup measure you want to

check your measurement and you actually

should bend down and check that it

registers a half a cup so that it's nice

and level and a half cup so this is good

to go and that's how you measure a

liquid ingredient so now to measure by

weight what you need is a digital scale

for this and certain recipes will call

for ingredients by weight chocolate for

example or fruit whenever you're baking

so take the bowl that you're going to

measure into place it on the scale and

you need to zero out or tear out the

weight of the bowl itself so that you

don't count that in the measurement so

all you have to do is press the button

again it should register zero and now

you're ready to measure the weight of

whatever ingredient you have so there

you have it a few simple tricks and tips

in measuring ingredients the right way

and that will set you up for success in

the kitchen if you have any kitchen

conundrums write in the comment section

below or reach out to us using the hash

kitchen conundrums and we will solve

whatever problems you may

[Music]

have

[Music]

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