Do These Retro Kitchen Rules Actually Work?

The hosts of The Kitchen put them to the test.

Episode: Retro Remakes

Retro Kitchen Rule 1: Chew gum while cutting onions to prevent teary eyes.

Why this is a myth: Tear stimulus comes from your eyes, not your nose or mouth.
Fix: Freeze onions for 15 to 20 minutes before chopping. The cold slows the release of the eye-stinging gases from the onion.

Retro Kitchen Rule 2: Putting an avocado pit in the guacamole keeps it from turning brown.

Why this is a myth: The pit is only effective at preventing browning on the part of the guacamole it touches.
Fix: Pack the guacamole tightly in the bowl, pressing out any air bubbles. Lay plastic wrap flush against the guacamole to minimize the amount of oxygen in contact with the surface.

Retro Kitchen Rule 3: When baking muffins, fill empty cups with water for even baking.

Why this is a myth: Your muffins will come out exactly the same whether the empty cups are filled with water or not.
Fix: Rotate your pan halfway through baking to make sure your muffins bake evenly.

Next Up

A Modern Take on Ambrosia Salad

When it doubt, put it on a stick.

Throwback or Comeback?

The Kitchen is bringing back old-school treats—and giving them a retro refresh.

Diner food is the food we love! It's hot, fast and delicious. But, how do they get it so good, and, even better, how can you replicate that magic at home? The Kitchen is unraveling the mystery with another Kitchen Helpline--Diner Edition!

Kitchen Hacks

Try these clever shortcuts and tricks from the cast of The Kitchen the next time you need to need to reheat a slice of pizza or cool down a six-pack fast.

Kitchen Helpline

Kitchen Tool Takedown

Our take on three new kitchen gadgets.

Kitchen Helpline -- Secrets

Chicken, chicken, and more CHICKEN! We haven't flown the coop. The Kitchen Helpline is open and we're answering the chicken questions you've been clucking about.

Kitchen Helpline -- Shopping

Once again, we've opened our Kitchen Helpline, and this time we've got the answers to your pressing questions about buying chicken. Here's what you want to know!