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Post by AussieMeg on Oct 9, 2021 2:29:13 GMT
Just a bit of fluff for you on this lovely Saturday afternoon..... When you're cooking, and you have to stir something in a pot, do you stir in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction? This question came to mind yesterday when I was hard boiling some eggs. The instructions said to stir regularly, in the same direction each time, so as to ensure the egg yolks were centred. When I read the instructions, I thought - oh, I guess I will stir in a clockwise direction so that I remember which way to stir each time. But then when I went to stir, I realised that clockwise felt weird, and I realised that I always stir in an anti-clockwise direction. FTR I am right handed. What about you?
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Post by dewryce on Oct 9, 2021 2:32:39 GMT
Right-handed and I stir anti-clockwise. I thought it was the opposite but then I acted it out and nope, clockwise is weird; I bend my wrist more when I try it that way whereas with anti-clockwise my wrist stays level.
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Post by librarylady on Oct 9, 2021 2:33:55 GMT
I answered the poll, but I have NEVER, NEVER stirred hard boiled eggs.
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Post by leannec on Oct 9, 2021 2:38:10 GMT
I answered the poll, but I have NEVER, NEVER stirred hard boiled eggs. Same! I stir right handed, clockwise
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caangel
Drama Llama
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Post by caangel on Oct 9, 2021 2:42:56 GMT
Right handed and I stir (but not hardboiled eggs) counter (anti) clockwise.
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Post by huskermom98 on Oct 9, 2021 2:43:28 GMT
I'm right handed and I think I usually stir counter-clockwise, but only to start because if I have to do a fair amount of stirring I will reverse my stirring at some point.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 9, 2021 2:44:03 GMT
Right handed, start off counter-clockwise then switch to clockwise. The exception is when I'm making a roux and then I add in the figure 8's.
As for eggs, I no longer boil them. I steam them, then let them cool. Perfectly peeled eggs every time!
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Post by Restless Spirit on Oct 9, 2021 3:02:43 GMT
Right handed, start stirring clock-wise, then counter-clockwise. Then alternate until I feel all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated by visual inspection.
Oh - and I only cook hard cooked eggs in my Instant Pot. 5-5-5 method. Simple and perfect every time. And they peel so easily.
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Post by hop2 on Oct 9, 2021 3:03:54 GMT
I’m right handed but I stir with either hand. I stir every which way, all over the place, but, with a general lean towards clockwise.
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Post by katlady on Oct 9, 2021 3:10:20 GMT
I picked "other". Right handed and I stir in both directions, just depends on my mood and what I am stirring. And I do not stir hard-boiled eggs.
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Post by scrappintoee on Oct 9, 2021 3:15:08 GMT
The instructions said to stir regularly, in the same direction each time, so as to ensure the egg yolks were centred. Hmm....interesting for two reasons---I've never stirred them, and never knew that you could center the yolk by stirring. I'm curious what your method is, too. Do you add the eggs AFTER the water is boiling? When do you start stirring? How long do they stay in the water? Also, I have two ways of hard-boiling (I've never stirred them)--- but the yolks have always been centered. The things I learn on this board!
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kelly8875
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Post by kelly8875 on Oct 9, 2021 3:21:28 GMT
As I sit here “stirring” in the air. I’m right handed, and I stir clockwise.
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Post by voltagain on Oct 9, 2021 3:34:11 GMT
I am left handed. 80-90% of the time I stir clockwise so that was my vote. But I also stir in a disorganized "everywhichway" fashion the rest of the time. eta: I have never stirred boiling eggs.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Oct 9, 2021 3:39:28 GMT
I voted "other", because I do a combination.
Right handed, stir clockwise, then a couple/few of up and down and back and forth, just to be sure everything is mixed and well distributed.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Oct 9, 2021 3:39:48 GMT
I've never stirred my eggs ~ I bring to a boil, take off the burner and time for 6 minutes then plunge into an ice-water bath. And I've never heard the term anti-clockwise. I've always said counter-clockwise. Aren't our differences fun and amazing!
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Post by Linda on Oct 9, 2021 4:00:51 GMT
mixed dominance - I stir counterclockwise with either hand - and stirring falls in the middle of where my dominant handness splits - fine motor skills (sewing, writing, cutting, scrapping) I'm right handed, gross motor skills (throwing, hitting, batting, archery) I'm lefthanded. I can and do stir with either hand
but I've never stirred hardboiled eggs...
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Oct 9, 2021 4:09:48 GMT
I'm left handed but stir with which ever hand I feel like using. Left, counterclockwise. Right clockwise. If needed I'd switch directions with either hand after a bit. I don't stir hard boiled eggs, pit the lid on and leave them.
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TXMary
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Post by TXMary on Oct 9, 2021 4:15:50 GMT
Right handed, counter clockwise.
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garcia5050
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Post by garcia5050 on Oct 9, 2021 4:31:40 GMT
I’m right handed and was trained by my mother to stir counter clockwise. I’m not sure if my translation is correct, but she seems to believe that clockwise stirring is somehow less efficient? If I’m making something that needs to thicken, like a porridge (champurrado), or an enchilada sauce, that it will thicken faster if stirred counter clockwise. I don’t think I’ve ever shared that with anyone, because it sounds a little nutty. As far as stirring boiled eggs, the LA Times had a whole section on deviled eggs and shared the tip about stirring the eggs to center the yolks. It does work great. I do it only when I’m making deviled eggs.
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Post by AussieMeg on Oct 9, 2021 4:35:49 GMT
I knew I shouldn't have mentioned the eggs! But then again, it wouldn't be Two Peas if a thread didn't go at least a little bit off tangent haha! For the record, I always make my hard boiled eggs in the Thermomix, so I don't usually stir them. But yesterday I was making these Asian Spicy Deviled Ramen Eggs, and one of the hints was to stir frequently in the same direction to ensure that the yolks were centered. So being a rule follower, that's what I did. I should change my post to say "Yesterday I was making pasta sauce......" But then someone would probably say "Do you call it pasta sauce? We always call it spaghetti sauce."
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Post by AussieMeg on Oct 9, 2021 4:39:59 GMT
Okay, can I start a poll inside a poll? And send this thread off on another tangent? I wrote "anti-clockwise" because that's the terminology used here. But some of you have said "counter-clockwise" so I guess that's the common terminology in the US?
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tincin
Drama Llama
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Post by tincin on Oct 9, 2021 4:50:56 GMT
I stir willy nilly. Figure 8s, back and forth, clockwise, counter clockwise, etc. I like to keep things mixed up good and don’t want anything to stick.
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SabrinaP
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by SabrinaP on Oct 9, 2021 4:55:52 GMT
Okay, can I start a poll inside a poll? And send this thread off on another tangent? I wrote "anti-clockwise" because that's the terminology used here. But some of you have said "counter-clockwise" so I guess that's the common terminology in the US? Yes we say counter clockwise. I’ve never heard the term anti clockwise before.
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Post by scrappintoee on Oct 9, 2021 5:02:21 GMT
Okay, I have to say it....are you "taking the piss?" Yes, "counter" is the only term I've ever heard used. BUT, if you wanna go on ANOTHER tangent, you could ask if there are any regions in America where they say "anti-clockwise". And....how about other countries? England, Ireland, Scotland, France, New Zealand, Norway, Canada, Morocco, etc. Oooh, do others besides Americans say this?
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Post by hookturnian on Oct 9, 2021 5:04:22 GMT
I'm right-handed and stir anti-clockwise. It feels more natural than stirring clockwise. I wonder if it's conditioning since that's the way I learnt to write most letters of the alphabet.
ETA: regarding language, it's anti-clockwise in South Africa. Maybe we should revive the word widdershins😂
ETA2: When baking I will stir anti-clockwise for a while, then do one stir clockwise to scrape down the sides.
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joelise
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Post by joelise on Oct 9, 2021 8:18:57 GMT
I’m right handed and most of the time I stir figure of 8.I’m British and say anti-clockwise.
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Post by gar on Oct 9, 2021 8:31:04 GMT
So, you need instructions to boil an egg? Just kidding, I read your explanation Umm...right handed, stir clockwise I think but there are always exceptions and it's anti-clockwise in my neck of the woods and yes, willy nilly is common here too scrappintoee
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Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 17:27:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2021 9:17:40 GMT
I'm right handed and usually stir clockwise but I have been known to turn direction especially when I have to stand there and constantly stir something for a time. I have never stirred my boiling eggs though. It's anti clockwise for me and for the record we, in the UK at least, say ant ee rather than ant eye. Just thought I would add that one to the mix too
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Post by gillyp on Oct 9, 2021 9:20:16 GMT
I’m right handed but I stir with either hand. I stir every which way, all over the place, but, with a general lean towards clockwise. This is me to a T. Still pulling a "what the heck??" face at stirring boiling eggs. This Brit says anti-clockwise of course.
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wellway
Prolific Pea
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Post by wellway on Oct 9, 2021 9:24:00 GMT
So, did it work? Were the yolks centred? How do we judge where the centre of an egg is?? You have way more patience than me, I'm more of a boil the water, put in the eggs, set the timer, read a book until summoned by the timer going off type of cook! Ftr, right handed, stir clockwise mostly, I think. Now you know I'll be noting this if I make soup or something else that needs stirring
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