How to shred chicken ... Ripen bananas quickly

Q: What is the easiest way to shred chicken for either soup or tacos? I can never seem to get it right. -- Kendra J., Eastpointe, Mich.

A: To get the best texture out of shredded chicken (or pulled pork, or any other meat that you're shredding), pull it apart with two forks while it's still warm. You'll get the softest, most toothsome chicken if you cook it gently (by braising or poaching) rather than with a high-heat application like roasting. If you have whole pieces of cooked chicken or pork in the fridge, let them come to room temperature before taking a couple of forks to them.

Q: How can I ripen bananas in two days? I'm making banana bread and the bananas aren't ripe enough. -- Jenny F., Deltona, Fla.

A: The fastest way to ripen a banana is to put it in a paper bag on the countertop along with an apple. Apples emit ethylene gases, which cause certain fruits (like pears and bananas) to ripen faster. Starting with green bananas, paper-bagging them should give you ripe bananas in a day and bread-ready bananas in two.

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