Cooking has been done for centuries, but if you want to do it right there are things you need to know. This article will give you information about how to cook like a pro. Use these tips to gain a better understanding of how to get started on developing your cooking skills.
To save time in cooking, do your prepping ahead of time. Many recipes include ingredients that can be prepared a few days in advance. A longer cooking time can yield a more flavorful meal. Once you get used to prepping in advance, you will probably never go back to doing it on the fly.
Spices and herbs need to be stored somewhere that is dark, cool and dry. Spices rapidly lose their flavor and aroma if they are kept in areas that are bright, humid, or warm. Such close proximity to these three factors will cause your spices to lose their flavors.
Many people love the taste of garlic, but cooks are more ambivalent about it because its scent sticks to the hands. An easy way to remove the smell is to rub your hands on a stainless steel surface like your sink. Not only does this remove the smell of the odoriferous food ingredient from your hands, it also keeps this odor from passing to other foods that you are about to handle.
Create flavored butter to add complexity and pizazz to breads, dinner rolls and corn. Soften your butter a bit in the microwave, or let it sit out for a while until it is room temperature. Include a variety of spices, sauces and seasonings to add a savory kick. Barbeque sauce is good, so is honey or lemon juice.
If you are trying a new fruit or vegetable that you are not accustomed to, take a little time to learn some things about it. A little research can show you a whole new world of different foods. By educating yourself prior to beginning anything in the kitchen, it will make your experience in the kitchen more fun and exciting.
Grilling your fruit can be delicious. Consider grilling a skewer of fresh, sliced melons, peaches or other juicy fruits. Place them on a grill that has been cleaned until you see grill marks. Serve the fruit atop ice cream or a grilled cake.
When cooking, make it a habit to wash up dishes as you are using them. If you have a double bowl sink, fill one side with hot, soapy water and the other side with clear water for rinsing. After using utensils and mixing bowls, it’s best to wash them right away because it’s easier. Once cleaned, they will be ready to use again.
Do not forget to add salt to water for making pasta. This process will allow the salt to season your pasta while it cooks. Salting pasta after cooking will not be as effective in enhancing the flavor.
Make the most of your holiday feast by reusing the leftover turkey. Divide the leftovers into meal sized portions and freeze them for the future. The turkey will stay fresh for several weeks, and you can use it for sandwiches or salads.
Many of the most popular fruits become brown when exposed to air: apples, bananas and pears, for example. You can prevent this from happening by lightly coating the fruit with lemon juice or salt water. However, the most flavorful way to stop fruit from browning is to dip it in pineapple juice. You do not need to keep the fruit immersed; a brief dip into the juice should suffice.
As said preciously, there are some easy tricks you can learn to cook well. While some have natural cooking skills, others need advice. By carefully applying the knowledge you’ve gained from this article, you’ll be cooking like a pro in no time.