The Laws of Yom Tov vol.4, no.18
Yom Tov shares the same basic prohibitions as Shabbos except for several major areas such as cooking, transferring objects from different domains and carrying objects in a public domain, which are all permitted on Yom Tov.
Cooking: One may cook on Yom Tov for the needs of the day. If one wanted to cook for the next day it may be accomplished by adding food which will enhance the Yom Tov meal which he is preparing. For example, if he wants to cook some meat for the next day he may add more meat than he really needs because the added meat will enhance the meat he will eat on Yom Tov. One may also boil more water than he immediately requires.
Certain foods in which the taste will not diminish over a short time, for example a fruit compote, should be cooked before Yom Tov. If one did not cook it before Yom Tov he may cook it on Yom Tov but should make a variation in its method of preparation. If he did not prepare it before Yom Tov because of a situation beyond his control or he wants to feed guests who arrived unexpectedly he may prepare it without any variation.
Food preparation: Even though cooking (and kneading) is permitted under most circumstances, many areas of food preparation are not. Forexample, harvesting, grinding, squeezing, and sifting are Rabbinically prohibited under most circumstances. However, one is allowed to grind or mash foods on Yom Tov which would become less edible if ground before Yom Tov , like bananas or apples. One may strain vegetables in order to chop them afterwards. Foods which might lose their taste like coffee or spices may be ground on Yom Tov with a change in the grinding method. However, foods which will not diminish in flavor if ground before Yom Tov ,like nuts, may not be ground on Yom Tov. However if they were not ground before Yom Tov they may be ground on Yom Tov with a variant method.
Foods which do not grow from the ground like eggs and meat may be ground or chopped on Yom Tov as on Shabbos. Needless to say all electric appliances may not be used.
Ovens: One may not turn on a gas oven with an electric starter unless he can open the gas without turning on the starter and light the burner with an already existing flame. One may turn on a gas oven with a gas pilot. However the flame may not be decreased unless the food may become overcooked. Ovens with electric elements may be used on Yom Tov. One should consult a competent halchic authority in regards to adjusting the heat of an electric oven.
