Many people only see cooking as a chore that needs to be done. But for many, cooking is an enjoyable hobby, something to look forward to. Learning to cook at home more can also lead to increased health. A great cook is constantly on the lookout for new information; the advice in this article will further your knowledge and increase your culinary skills.
To make your French fries crispier, let the raw potatoes soak for about half an hour in cold water prior to frying. A cold water soak helps the potatoes stand up to the rigors of deep fat frying.
A great starting point when looking to expand your cooking repertoire is your local library or bookstore. Look for cookbooks which contain basic and simple recipes for you to practice and have fun preparing. Experiment with a few, and be patient; remember, you’re learning new skills.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that every potato is like the others. Different potatoes have different tastes and textures, making them ideal for some very different recipes. For those culinary exercises, you should use potatoes that are fluffy, such as Russets.
Fresh ingredients are much better to use in all of your cooking than those that are frozen or dried. Use fresh ingredients as much as you can, because they add better flavor to your dish and tend to be a lot cheaper.
A cool, dark storage area will preserve your herbs freshness for the longest period of time. Herbs and spices can quickly lose their flavor if exposed to continuous light or heat. Herbs and ground spices usually retain their flavor up to a year. Spices that are not ground can keep their flavors for 3 to 5 years. Storing your spices properly can help you achieve a longer shelf-life for your spices.
If you’ve been assigned kitchen duty at the upcoming family reunion, you’re probably feeling more than just a little stress right now. To lessen the stress, it is best to start your planning and preparation well in advance. This means setting out measurements, ingredients and marinades.
Always have your spices stored in a dark and cool place. Spices will last longer when they are not exposed to warm temperatures and moist air. When spices are stored in an adequately dark and cool area, they tend to retain their taste and shelf life for greater periods of time. Meals prepared with fresher spices are simply more delicious.
For a fat-free stew or soup, start your recipe by using fat-free soup stock or broth. Use plenty of vegetables as well as lean meat to keep the fat content low in the soup. Let the soup rest in the refrigerator for a spell once it is fully cooked; you want it quite chilled. Excess fat will rise to the top and congeal. Then you can skim off the firm fat layer and toss it. For every teaspoon of fat that you remove, you will be taking 100 calories out of the soup.
When cooking with fruits and vegetables that you have never used before, gather as much knowledge about them beforehand as you can. You may find that your research leads to many great new ways to use the food. You will be able to find the best way to cook this new ingredient and have more fun.
As was stated earlier, part of being a good cook means constantly learning new things. Cooking in enjoyable because you will be able to learn about new and fun foods, as well as great methods for preparing them. When you love to cook, and share the joy of cooking with others, it can be very rewarding. Cooking is more than a skill; it is also a gift that needs to be shared.