Most people see cooking as a menial chore. However, cooking can be an interesting and enjoyable activity. Not only is it fun, but it can encourage a more healthy lifestyle. People who are interested in cooking are always looking for tips to improve their skills, and the information that follows will help you on your quest for knowledge.
It is a common mistake to overly season a dish with salt, but it can still be corrected. Cut a peeled potato into a few large chunks, and allow them to simmer in the over-salted sauce or soup for 15 minutes or so. Doing so lets the potato pieces absorb any excess amounts of salt from your sauce. If you have a tomato dish, all you have to do is add additional tomatoes in order to dilute all the salt. Keep cooking until they’re soft and tender.
Cut down on cooking time by doing your prep work in advance. You may even be able to prepare your ingredients a day or more in advance. There are many occasions where longer prep times actually lend a more flavorful touch to your meal. When you become used to preparing your cooking ingredients in advance, you will wonder how you ever managed to cook without this practice.
It is fairly easy to dry tomatoes yourself. Just slice them when ripe to about 1/2″ thickness. Place the resulting tomato pieces on a rack, then salt their exposed flesh lightly. Next, position a full rack on a baking sheet in an oven preheated to 190 degrees. Dry for approximately 10 hours. Once done, you can store them in your freezer in plastic bags. You can put the dried tomatoes with fresh herbs in a jar with olive oil to preserve them. Put this jar in the fridge and use it up in two weeks time.
Try to procure the freshest herbs and ingredients when cooking. If you are making a more complex dish, use dried herbs such as oregano or basil. However, fresh herbs are much better and will produce a stronger, fresher and overall better taste. If you love to cook, create an herb garden, which will provide you with a variety of quality herbs any time you choose.
Pungent foods such as garlic, onions, and fish can leave an offensive odor on your hands. You can effectively remove this scent by rubbing your hands on a stainless steel object before you wash them. It does not matter if you use a spoon, a side of your stainless-steel sink, or a “soap bar” made of stainless-steel; rubbing your hand on it neutralizes the undesirable smell and freshens your hands.
Texture and taste don’t have to suffer when you are trying to lighten up your mashed potatoes. Cauliflower makes for a great substitute to help drop the fat and calorie content. The taste of cauliflower will blend nicely with the potatoes. Your mashed potato dish will also look the same if you add cauliflower, allowing it to retain its color and texture while taking the calories out of your potatoes.
Even a simple sandwich is a chance to wow your diners. To craft a perfect sandwich, spread the condiments evenly across the entire surface of the bread. Sometimes, people who are rushed just plop some mayonnaise down on the bread and call it good. With it evenly spread, you ensure your sandwiches are deliciously flavorful with every bite!
Replace your spices every six months at the very least. Often, spices that have sat upon the shelf for a long period of time lose their pungency. If you purchase a spice that you don’t use very often, give some of it to friends or relatives.
Chicken Stock
If you want to make chicken stock, you might as well make a lot of it. Plan on preparing a large batch so that the excess can be frozen and used later. Good chicken stock that you make at home makes a great starter for soups, casseroles, stews and other dishes. Allow your stock to cool, then put portions in heavy-duty Ziploc bags made for freezing.
Anyone who enjoys preparing fish to eat ought to give the sport of fishing a try. Not only does this make for a tasty meal, but it is a great way to be self sufficient.
If you have a hectic day coming up, take care of some of the components of your meal ahead of time. Chopping your vegetables in advance or putting together lasagna the night before will save a lot of time.
Prior to cooking, gather everything you need. This way, you will not waste gas when you are cooking, or save yourself danger when cooking.
Purchase meats and fish with the bones intact. All of the bones can be stored in freezer bags, so you can use them at another time.
Cooking for large groups can create a lot of anxiety and stress. Do not wait until the last minutes. Start preparing your meal the night before. Ingredients can be measured, vegetables chopped, and marinades mixed well in advance of the start of the main cooking process.
If you are on a diet or perhaps just health-conscious, you can easily make a flavorful, low-fat soup or stew. First, you will need to purchase a fat-free stock or broth. Use a lot of vegetables and lean meat to help to keep the soup low in fat. Let your soup chill in the refrigerator when it is done cooking. As it cools, the fat will rise to the top. Once this happens you can easily remove the fat that has hardened and discard. Every tablespoon of hardened fat is worth around 100 calories.
As this article stated, a great cook is constantly looking for new ways to improve their culinary skills. The joy of cooking is not just about cooking, but learning more about different foods and methods of cooking. A lot of the joy of cooking comes from sharing. What a gift to share with your loved ones!