A lot of people hope to become an excellent chef, but the steps that they must take to get there can be very trying. You will be able to cook a great meal in little time, if you just go slowly and take it step by step.
Try to make sure you cook your cake to the proper temperature and do not over or under cook it. Though recommended cooking times are a great guideline for novice cake bakers, they can be misleading, because factors such as elevation can impact the actual cook time of the cake. A good way to judge whether a cake is finished is by sticking a toothpick into the center of the cake. If you stick a toothpick in your cake, and when you pull it out, it does not have any batter on it, the cake is ready to be taken out of the oven.
Fruit works especially well on the grill. Consider grilling your favorite fruits on a skewer. Grill these slices until marks appear on them. Top some delicious ice cream with your grilled fruit, or try them on a slice of pound cake, which can also be lightly grilled.
Try mixing some flavors into your butter for a bit more complexity with familiar food items like corn and dinner rolls. Allow the butter to reach room temperature, or warm it in the microwave. Add fresh herbs, spices or even a sauce to add an unexpected burst of flavor! Lemon juice, chipotles, BBQ and honey are some things to try.
Freeze sauces by pouring leftovers into ice cube trays. When you do this, making a quick meal can be accomplished by simply reheating by using a saute pan. Do not worry, the sauce will still be edible after it has been in the ice cube trays!
To improve your pasta sauce, put aside some of the water used during the cooking of the pasta. Set aside approximately one-fourth cup. When your sauce is also ready, add in the water before tossing or topping the pasta. The addition of the starchy water will bulk up your sauce and make it creamier.
You need to properly care for a wooden cutting board. Excessive moisture, dryness, or heat all affect wood cutting boards and can cause them to split and change shape. The correct way to clean a wooden cutting board is to use a damp, soapy sponge or cloth to wipe it clean, rinse with boiling water and towel dry. Try oiling your damaged board regularly in order to restore it. Make sure that the cutting board has completely dried before using.
To improve the flavor of your dishes, mix your own broth and other stock. If you cook large quantities, you could store the leftovers in resealable bags inside your freezer. If you do this, you will never be short of stock for soups, stews, and other such dishes. If you make your own stock, it will be much healthier and not loaded with preservatives.
Use ketchup in batters for fried foods. Ketchup is a tasty condiment when used for dipping finished foods, but you can also dip chicken, veggies, or other breaded foods into it before rolling them in breadcrumbs. Ketchup gives an unexpected burst of flavor to the foods you fry, and everyone will want to know why!
Whether you just want to learn to cook to save money on food or you want to treat a significant other, knowing how to cook well is always useful. Every culture around the world takes time to sit down with their family and friends for a meal, sharing the joy of eating and companionship. By following the advice in this article, you can jump start your path towards being a great cook and the life of the dinner party.