The kitchen in your house can seem boring sometimes. If you start cooking for a hobby, all of that will change. You will start to look forward to spending time in your kitchen, and friends and family members will look forward to the results. This article will give you some great ideas, to help inspire you to become more creative in the kitchen.
Partially chill meat so it becomes easier to slice into thin strips. Thin strips of meat are ideal for meals that are originally ethnically Asian. When the meat is partially frozen, cutting becomes cleaner as the meat fibers are less likely to tear or stretch. However, you must allow the sliced meat time to thaw out before the cooking process, so it cooks evenly.
To make use of those ends of vegetables and bits of leftover meat sitting in your refrigerator, create a satisfying wok filled with homemade fried rice. Dryer rice that has been cooked previously is preferred, but freshly cooked rice can be used if you simply reduce the amount of water to make it a good consistency for frying. Heat up a small amount of oil in the wok, and then add the meats and vegetables, and cook until thoroughly warmed. Next, stir in the rice and any seasonings you want to use, such as soy sauce, ginger, garlic, or other spices.
Try some new ideas for oysters. You can prepare oysters in other ways rather than raw on the half shell with lemon juice. Put opened oysters in their shells on a broiler pan, and cover with a little cream. Add some parmesan cheese and some pepper, then broil until the contents of the pan start bubbling. Oysters are also delicious when sauteed. Coat oysters with some seasoned flour and saute in warm butter for a couple of minutes, until they are golden. Don’t remove oysters from their shells before baking. Place this is a casserole dish and add a small dab of butter. Next add some breadcrumbs that are fresh to each oyster. Bake this at 425 degrees about five or four minutes. When the juices and butter start bubbling, serve very hot along with a baguette that is toasted.
There is a secret to thicken up your weak sauce. In a small bowl, combine two tablespoons of water and 3 teaspoons of corn starch. Thicken your sauce by stirring in this solution. Add the starch solution slowly, and stir constantly so that the sauce does not become too thick.
When you slice fresh fruit, it can turn brown if exposed to the air. Examples of such fruits are pears, avocados, bananas, apples and peaches. While saltwater and lemon are both effective preservatives, pineapple juice is the best way to preserve your fruit without affecting its flavor. A small amount of juice is all that you need to keep your fruit looking fresh.
Different varieties of potatoes can have specific uses; you cannot always use one type in lieu of another. Waxy potatoes are best for potato salad and should be avoided when making mashed potatoes or french fries. For those culinary exercises, you should use potatoes that are fluffy, such as Russets.
Sticking a citrus fruit in the microwave can help when you’re trying to juice it. Heat up your citrus fruits for about ten seconds. Roll the fruit across the counter until it cools off before juicing it.
Once you start putting these tips into practice, you will be inspired with new ideas yourself. You can make great meals that your family will appreciate and you can relax while you cook. Cooking as a hobby can enrich not only your diet but your life as well. The old adage of “home is where the heart is” can certainly begin in your kitchen.