Although lots of people dream of becoming great chefs, all the hard training that is required can be extremely overwhelming. You will be able to cook a great meal in little time, if you just go slowly and take it step by step.
If you don’t know much about the vegetable or fruit that you are handling, familiarize yourself with it. A little research can show you a whole new world of different foods. By taking some time to educate yourself before starting anything new in the kitchen, it will certainly pay off in flavor and experience.
When you are preparing dried beans, you should hold off until the beans are sufficiently soft before adding salt or garlic. Both garlic and salt will keep your beans from getting softer while they cook. Hold of on seasoning your beans until that are partially cooked in order to get your desired texture.
Several times your burgers will stick to the grill, and it is hard or impossible to remove them without destroying their shape. Try brushing vegetable oil on the cooking surface prior to cooking so that food does not stick.
Add a little salt to your cutting board whenever you are slicing up some herbs. Not only does this add a little extra flavor, it keeps the herbs you are chopping where you want them – on the board. If you add the salt to your cutting board, reduce the salt in the recipe by the same amount, so that you don’t add too much salt to your dish. Applying salt to the board will allow the herbs to stick better and give the meat a bit more flavor.
Have you felt guilty for throwing out some moldy fruits? Is it safe to save a portion of fruit by cutting around the mold? The truth is that a rotten spot often signifies that the whole fruit is bad. Get rid of them quickly, as mold can develop and cause health problems.
Nearly any recipe benefits from using fresh ingredients rather than the frozen or dried version. Fresh ingredients can really enhance the flavor of your meal, as well as be more economical to prepare.
Always remember to remove all the extra fat from soups and stews. If your stew or soup has a lot of fat in it, allow it to cool and then scoop out the fat that rises to the top. Next, take a spoon and place one ice cube on it; skim the spoon along the surface of your soup or stew. The ice draws the fat and it collects on the cube. A paper towel can also be used for blotting the fat.
To add a nice twist to any poultry dish, cook it in brine. Soak goose, turkey, chicken or duck in brine one hour before preparation to bring out the best poultry flavors in your dish.
To remove the odors of fish, garlic, onions or other strong ingredients from your hands, rub them on stainless steel for a minute before washing them. Rub your hands on a spoon, or on the sink for instance. Wash your hands with soap afterward.
When you are aware that you have a busy day coming up, prepare some of the dinner ingredients the night before. Chopping up veggies or preparing a lasagna before hand can help to save you stress for the next day.
No matter who you are cooking for, being able to cook well is a valuable tool. All around the world, people sit down with family and friends to share a meal. If you use the above tips, you will become an awesome cook and everyone will ask you to cook for the next big family event.