"I almost never used my non stick pans for searing meats. I would always panic when the meat stuck, no matter how much oil/butter I used. I would force it to unstick right away, often ripping up the meat. It took my years to learn that the meat will unstick itself once some of the fats render out. I learned it from Master Chef."
I agree. A mushroom reacts as a sponge. Taste becomes terrible. I'm picking my own mushrooms in the season (here, Belgium, from end of August till October, I go everyday and have a dryer)) and just brush away the dirt (if any). Be careful though, one has to know what he picks (my wife, a doctor, doesn't trust me and doesn't eat it :-) ) Other question, why does she let me to eat it :-)?
#2 I was always told that but watched Alton Brown from Good Eats disprove it. Soaked the mushrooms and compared the weights before and after. Minimal change.
The one about reverse taring isn't bad (although it's more about baking, don't see myself weighing things when cooking :D)
#18 I have always been told to freeze fresh herbs in water.
#19 Nuke a bowl of water or vinegar for a minute does the same thing.