There are quite a few different ways you can learn to use to prepare memorable meals. Some methods are very complicated and some are very easy to execute. The following article will provide you with some easy and quick tips on how to be a better cook, no matter how skilled you are.
Put a little bit of salt on your cutting board before chopping fresh herbs. The salt will keep the herbs on the board and add extra flavor as well. 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. The salt that is used on this board gives your herbs some extra flavor because it sticks to them.
Follow this tip for keeping large batches of pancakes or waffles warm until serving time. First, warm your oven to about 300 degrees. After the pancakes and waffles are finished cooking, place them on a plate. Then place the plate in the oven so they can stay warm.
For people who like to cook fish, try catching your own so you can have it for free. Fishing is a great way to get fresh meat at no cost. Make sure you clean the fishes you have caught thoroughly.
Impress your family and friends with a simple sandwich just by carefully preparing it and presenting it in a great way. Often, condiments are haphazardly squirted onto only the center of the bread. If you have the mayonnaise spread throughout the sandwich, every bite will taste amazing!
Your spices should be stored in any area that is dark and cool. Shelf life can be significantly decreased for those spices which have been exposed to too much light, dampness and heat. When a spice is placed in a cool area with very little light, its life is extended and it will taste better. Fresh spices can greatly enhance your meals, making this effort well worth your time.
You should bake crusts for a longer period of time than you think. The color should be a darker caramel instead of the pale blond so many people do. That deeper color shows that the sugar has caramelized. This creates a crisp crust, which is also sweeter.
Leafy greens are very good for you but it may be hard to prepare them. The stem is the most difficult to deal with. The easiest way to remove the stem is to fold the leaf lengthwise in half; then break the tough stem out from it’s middle. You can also use a knife in order to cut from the folded leaf the stem. The unfolded leaf will be intact but stem-free.
Fresh foods are always a better choice than frozen or dried ones regardless of what type of food you are cooking. Fresh ingredients are often inexpensive, and can help bring a lot of flavor out of your dish.
You should consider drying your tomatoes on your own. You can use Roma tomatoes cut lengthwise, or ripe tomatoes sliced about a half inch thick. Place the resulting tomato pieces on a rack, then salt their exposed flesh lightly. Place the rack on top of a cookie sheet, and bake the tomatoes in an oven set at 190 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 10 hours. Once done, you can store them in your freezer in plastic bags. Also, you can put those dried tomatoes straight into a jar or can filled with fresh herbs and olive oil. Place this in the refrigerator and be sure to use it within 2 weeks.
Many a fine meal has been ruined by over-complicating the recipes or methods. Simple recipes and techniques can yield very impressive results. This article can help you to make your next meal your best meal.