In order to be a good cook, there are a few things you must learn. This article will help you find the fine points of cooking. These tips will guide you in your efforts to become a better cook.
One unique grilling option is fruit. Put sliced nectarines, melon, and peaches on a skewer and grill them. Watch the fruit carefully, and leave the skewer on until your fruit is nicely covered with grill marks. Then, serve them atop grilled pound cake or ice cream.
To add some interest to an ear of corn or a dinner roll, make a flavored butter. First, bring some butter to room temperature, or soften it using a microwave. Next, mix in spices, sauces or herbs to create a burst of new flavors. For example, you might use chipotle peppers, citrus juices or even honey.
Partially frozen meat is easier to cut into thin strips. This is perfect for meals that require really thin meat such as Chinese or Thai dishes. By partially freezing the meat, it can be sliced with much less effort and with little damage, too, as the fibers will will be less likely to tear. Before you cook the sliced meat, however, you must first allow the strips to thaw.
Try to keep your spices and herbs in a dark, cool area of your kitchen. They will not taste as fresh if they are exposed to light or warmth. Ground spices, when stored correctly, can retain flavor for up to a year. Whole spices last longer, possibly as long as five years. Proper storage can extend their shelf life even longer.
In recipes that call for milk or water, try substituting more flavorful liquids. Substitute plain water with juice, broth, or the water that you cooked your vegetables in. Try to use buttermilk, yogurt, or sour cream in place of milk. By using different liquid ingredients in your side dishes, you can increase their flavor and nutritional value.
To truss a turkey means to tie it up with string. It helps to keep the legs and wings of the turkey close so that the bird cooks more evenly. If the turkey is not trussed, the turkey’s extremities, including the wingtips and feet, can burn before the whole turkey is cooked.
If you are going to make a stir-fry dish, slice the meat on the bias, as thinly as possible. Sometimes, however, this can be a little challenging and tedious. Remove the meat when it is firm but before it freezes, and cut at an angle of 45 degrees against the grain.
This seasoning can be used with various foods other than meat. Seasoned salt can be added to a variety of dishes and snacks, from popcorn and pumpkin seeds to scrambled eggs and vegetables. Everyone will love the flavor and ask you for your secret ingredient!
By doing this, your fruits will remain fresh for the entire year. Another great benefit is that you will have certain fruits on their off season.
A tip to keeping your salsa tasting fresh is to rinse the onions in cold water after dicing, then use a paper towel to blot them dry before adding them to the other ingredients. Fresh onions can emit sulfurous gas. Sulfurous gas is not good for salsa. The gas is removed by rinsing and drying the diced onions.
It does take some learning to become a great chef, but it’s well worth the effort. Some people naturally love cooking, while others need a push. They just need a little information. By taking our advice, you can be well on the path to great cooking!