I want to know how to make vegetarian mayonnaise at home as I hear shop-bought mayonnaise is made with eggs. 
Vedika

This is a great recipe if you really must make it without eggs! In a clean bowl, whisk together 100ml of thick cream (Amul tetrapack is good), half a teaspoon of mustard paste and the juice of half a lemon, then slowly whisk in roughly 300ml of a good, light cooking oil and season to taste. Simple!
  
I recently made macaroni cheese but didn’t know how to get that nice toasted cheese crust on top!
Nita

Is this really question-worthy? Do you not have access to the Internet? It’s flooded with Mac ’n’ cheese! Slop it into a buttered heatproof dish, sprinkle with fresh bread crumbs and grated cheese, then bake or grill it until golden and if you’re really feeling adventurous, stir in some shredded smoked salmon before you bake if for an absolute treat with rice rocket salad on the side.  

How do I best make a good juicy chicken steak? Mine usually ends up a bit tough and chewy. 
Sharmistha

Marinate it well for a day in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, fresh herbs and whatever else you want and always better to use thigh because it’s nice and fatty and renders down to keep it tender, rather than breasts which do tend to be stringy.

It’s been a long time since secondary school big fella. Get in touch next time you’re in Blighty and we’ll catch up over a beer but in the meantime, here’s one for you. Give me a proper Indian curry recipe. Not so hot though and better than the curry houses in Manchester.
Andy, Manchester, England

Good to hear from you mate but I really can’t spare you here. Switch on the TV and I’m sure if you wait a few minutes you’ll find someone cooking a curry. The UK is Indian food mad!
 
What can be baked using self-raising flour?
Deborima 

Has India started packaging self-raising flour yet, or is it imported? If it is imported, you’ll be able to make the lightest and most beautiful cakes you will ever eat and if you want to make self-raising flour at home, sift together 1kg of flour and 60g of baking powder, although sadly Indian baking powder tends to taste a bit soapy. A good opportunity there for someone to make a much better product maybe.

How to poach an egg in water in a way that the white covers the yolk?
Sharmi

I’m sure I’ve answered this before but here goes. You’ll need the freshest of fresh eggs for this and straight from the refrigerator if possible. Bring a saucepan of water to a simmer with salt and a little vinegar, give the water a bit of a stir around in a circle so that the water is spinning and break your egg in the centre. Allow to cook for around two and a half minutes, then lift out and drain. 

How do I make light fluffy mashed potato? Mine is always heavy and sometimes sticky and stodgy. 
Riddhima

Indian potatoes are invariably dodgy when it comes to making good mashed potato to say the least. The best thing I can say to do is peel and slice your potatoes, usually the bigger the potato the better, around half-inch thick and soak them in water overnight if possible to release some starch. Then boil them in plenty of salted water until they are beyond cooked but not falling apart. Mash them immediately and finish with as much cream and butter they will take before they become soup, and season with salt and pepper. If you want them really, really light, whip an egg white or two and fold it in!

Exactly how long should I cook pasta for it to be al dente?
Indrani, Salt Lake

All pasta shapes have different cooking time, so just do what the packet says and you should be on track!

Is it possible to use ripe mangoes in savoury items?
Arindam, Bangalore

I love mangoes with savoury. They make a crackling salsa, chopped with finely chopped onion, chilli, coriander, lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper (vegetarian). I love large diced mangoes stir-fried with prawns, chilli, spring onion and oyster sauce (pescatarian) and you can cook your pork chops (porkaholic) in mango puree, Coke, ginger, garlic and 8 to 8 Sauce. Put in into a tray, cover with foil and bake at around 150 degrees Celsius  for two or three hours (and yes I did say Coke!). 

Send your questions for Shaun to t2@abp.in and shaunchef@yahoo.co.uk