No matter who you are cooking for, even if it’s simply your family, you will benefit from learning new things. Even minor changes can sometimes transform a two-star meal into a four- or five-star meal that your family will want to eat again and again. By applying these tips to your next cooking endeavor, you will find yourself with loads of good food.
To use all of your leftover vegetables before you go out shopping, try putting them in a wok with some fried rice. Left over rice is optimum, but if you have to use fresh rice, use less water so the rice is not as moist. Just add your meat of choice to a large pan or wok, then throw in the veggies followed by the rice and some seasonings. In no time you’ll have a meal.
Clean cooking utensils are an absolute necessity when you start any cooking project. Any leftover food residue can ruin the food you are preparing. This can also spread harmful bacteria.
Allow the food to sit for a little while before serving. Many people do not realize that it is important to let a meal rest. Many of us prefer to simply serve a dish right out of the oven. But, you will not enjoy the full flavor and texture of your meal if you engage in this practice. Always allow your meat sit for about 5 minutes before eating.
To avoid missing the sound, use another timer, such as a watch. You are assured of knowing when the oven timer goes off wherever you may be if you also set the timer on a watch you are wearing on your wrist or a stopwatch you are wearing around your neck.
Rinse and dry your fresh cut onions before you put them in your salsa. Onions that are fresh have a great deal of sulfurous gas. This unappetizing gas by-product can ruin the taste of your salsa. Rinsing and drying the onions takes most of the gas away.
Keep those turkey leftovers after the big meal. Divide the leftovers into meal sized portions and freeze them for the future. Turkey will stay fresh for a couple weeks and you can use it in sandwiches or a salad.
The prep work comes first. It is essential to have all prep work finished before it’s time to begin cooking. When you have a timeline for your meal to be ready, things can get a bit stressful once you start cooking. Get everything prepared at least a day ahead of time.
First, gather all the ingredients for the dish you are planning, then begin cooking. This will cut down on stress and confusion. You’ll never find yourself in the midst of a recipe and have to stop to get something you don’t have. It takes the same amount of time setting up the ingredients beforehand rather than doing it along the way, and it keeps the headaches away.
Although it might feel great to impress your guests, avoid preparing a meal that you have never cooked before when entertaining someone important. Whether you are preparing a meal for your boss, a new date or your in-laws, your cooking is most impressive when you prepare great dishes you feel very confident with. Make sure that the meal is a success by preparing something that you know how to cook well.
Think of these ideas as as a starting point, and come up with your own culinary miracles. Following these tips should be relatively easy if you take your time and try one new thing at a time.