For most families, the practical question is simple: does this save time, money or worry? If it does not, it can wait.

Cooking times vary with your stove and pan. Trust your nose and your eyes over the clock.

A closer look

A few years ago this would have sounded unusual. Today it is ordinary enough that most people do not think about it at all.

Cooking times vary with your stove and pan. Trust your nose and your eyes over the clock.

Experts we spoke to were careful to say that conditions vary by region, by income and by season, so treat these as starting points.