Cooking is a necessity in life, but it can also be a fun hobby. Cooking is accessible to the layman if they have good information and the drive to learn. Read the following article to learn more about this art.
Include a variety of colors when you cook. Using a rainbow of colored ingredients in your recipes will make the food as healthy for you as it is great to look at. Garnishes like parsley, carrots, or tomatoes will add beautiful color to your meals. The more beautiful the plate, the faster the food will disappear.
If you leave some sliced fruits, such as avocados, bananas, and pears out in the open air, they can become brown. Dipping the fruit in a mixture of salt water and lemon will help to stop the fruit from browning. Cut fruits can also be dipped in pineapple juice for a similar effect. You do not need to keep the fruit immersed; a brief dip into the juice should suffice.
If you wish to eat more protein, try one of the many varieties of beans or tofu available. Both of these protein-rich foods are available at most grocery stores. Tofu can be fried in a pan with just a few seasonings. It is a tasty and healthy meat alternative. You can boil the beans with some herbs to have a flavorful protein packed meal, side or snack.
Brining is a fabulous cooking method. You can draw out the delicious flavors of poultry by soaking the meat in brine for an hour before cooking it.
After purchasing fruits that are not quite ripe, store them in a plastic bag that is perforated with holes. When fruits go through the ripening process, they release ethylene gas. A paper bag allows air to circulate, yet also keeps in enough ethylene gas to help the fruits ripen and enhance the flavor.
If you are working with foods that have strong odors, such as fish, garlic or onions, remove the smell from your hands by rubbing them on something that is stainless steel, prior to washing them. You can keep your hands free from odors no matter the source, by using stainless steel rubbed onto your hands. Try the side of the sink or a spoon.
It is important to take proper care of wood cutting boards. Wood is prone to warp or split when used as a cutting board. Food juices, plus the washing and drying process, will cause this damage. A wooden cutting board will be ruined if it is placed into water. You can find oil designed for cutting boards to maintain yours. Let the board dry thoroughly before you use it.
If you are preparing dried beans, refrain from adding any salt or garlic to the water before the beans are soft. Some seasonings prevent the beans from softening while they cook. Avoid the seasonings until your beans are at least part-cooked, unless you want to serve hard beans to your dinner guests.
To make a delicious beef stir-fry, slice your meat thinly and across the grain. Getting the perfect cut can sometimes be a challenge. When the meat feels firm, pull it from the freezer and cut across the grain at a 45 degree angle.
Cooking involves way more than throwing some food in front of your family. It can be delicious and fun to do. You will probably mess up a couple of times, though if you take the advice that has been written out for you in this article, you will probably has less mistakes than you expect. Take these tips and apply them to your cooking, and you are sure to find cooking delicious fare a breeze.