Many individuals view cooking as being tedious and bothersome. This article will provide you with some creative culinary tips that will make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable.
When making waffles and pancakes in batches for breakfast, you will want them to stay warm until it’s time to eat. Keep your oven on ‘warm’ or at 300 degrees. Once the waffles or pancakes are finished, place them into the oven on a plate so they remain heated.
It is vital for cooks to have their supplies organized when cooking. If you are not well organized, you’ll be a disaster in the kitchen. Keep things that are similar in the same place. Keep pots in the same cupboard, for instance, or all spatulas in the same drawer.
When prepping a salad for a potluck or for serving later in the day, layer it wisely. The juiciest ingredients like tomatoes should go one the bottom, and anything that has a tendency to wilt, such as the leaves themselves, should go on the top.
Make a flavored butter to add a new twist to staples like dinner rolls or ears of corn. You can soften the butter either by letting it sit at room temperature, or by using your microwave. Then, for an added kick to the flavor, put in some spices, herbs or sauces. Some great ingredients that are worth adding are honey, chipotles, lemon juice or BBQ sauce.
Consider warming citrus fruits in the microwave for a bit before juicing. Heat the orange or lemon, or other citrus fruit in your microwave for about ten seconds. After microwaving, you will want to roll it back and forth on the counter before you cut and start juicing.
If you want to make potato skins or twice baked potatoes, try using a potato with a thick skin. Red potatoes have very thin skin and are unable to support dense fillings.
If you want to make fat free stew or soup, begin by using a soup stock or broth that is fat free. Add plenty of fresh vegetables and some lean meat, so the soup retains its low fat content. Once it is complete, cool the soup in the refrigerator before eating it. Any excess fat will harden and rise to the top. You can then easily pluck the fat from your soup and discard it prior to eating. For each tablespoon of fat that you remove, you will have removed approximately 100 calories.
Bundle your fresh herbs together and cut the appropriate amount off with scissors. This will prevent them from clumping together and they will be drier than when you chop them.
When you are going to be cooking for someone important, whether it’s a boss or a potential love interest, make certain you are cooking something you are familiar with. You should never attempt to cook some new dish or even a new ingredient you’ve never attempted. Preparing a meal that you are comfortable with can really help to reduce your stress level.
To cook your meats to the proper temperature, make sure you are using a meat thermometer. There is a minimum internal temperature to which a meat needs to be cooked so that it is safe to eat. Meat that has not been cooked sufficiently can have bacteria growing in it, and these can cause illness if eaten.
The idea of cooking for a large gathering may leave you feeling stressed. Rather than allowing yourself to panic at the last minute, you should complete all of the preparations on the night before. Proactive steps you can take include gathering ingredients, measuring out needed portions and making marinades.
As you can see, cooking can be an adventure instead of a chore. Follow these tips and you will be able to creatively engage in your cooking and turn it into a positive experience.