Do you find your kitchen boring? But taking up cooking as a hobby changes that. You will enjoy the time spent in your kitchen and gain something from it. You can become a skilled cook, eat better, and save money at the same time. The following tips can give you a start toward becoming an excellent cook.
Trussing is when you tie your turkey with string. The advantage of trussing is that the legs and wings are held closer to the body, resulting in even cooking throughout the bird. If it isn’t trussed, then the extremities are more likely to burn.
Saffron is an excellent spice to play with, especially in rice dishes. Its unusual, sharp flavor can add excitement to an otherwise dull dish. Saffron is a world renown herb. This highly sought spice, which is actually the stigma of a specific species of crocus, can be quite pricey.
If you want to use skewers when cooking, remember these helpful hints. When using metal skewers, opt for those that are square-shaped or twisted; these will hold onto food better than round models can.
Herbs and spices need to be kept in a dry, cool area, away from light. Exposure to light, humidity, and heat can make your spices lose their flavors quickly. This puts the spices in a position to quickly degrade.
After you slice fresh produce, it will start turning brown, especially with avocados, bananas, and pears. Salt water and lemons can prevent this from occurring. However, in order to get the best flavor while preventing browning of your fruits, you should instead dip the fruit into pineapple juice. Just briefly dipping it will work, so you don’t need to let the fruit soak.
Oil should already be hot by the time it touches the food, so allow it to heat at the side beforehand. This will enhance the flavors of the food when you’re done cooking.
There are hardy winter greens that you can enjoy. When you eat these greens, such as collard greens, broccoli rabe or kale, following the year’s first frost, they generally have a taste that is sweeter than at other times of the year. Pick deep and bright greens, avoiding the yellow and limp ones. Watch when you wash them, as they carry a ton of dirt. You need to submerge the greens within a bowl of very cool water. Shake off the excess water and then place them under the running faucet until you notice that nothing is falling into the sink but clear water.
A useful tip when making chicken stock is to think big! Make enough so that you can freeze it and use it in your recipes. A rich chicken stock makes a savory base for soups, stews and other dishes. Once your stock is finished, cool it and put it in heavy freezer bags.
When you are working with a fruit or vegetable you are unfamiliar with, take some time to learn about it. It takes only a short time to dig up some information on a new food, and you may come to learn that it’s versatile enough to use in many of your dishes. Teaching yourself prior to beginning any kitchen task will get you more fun out of your experience.
There are some ways to properly take care of a cutting board made of wood. Your wooden cutting board can be damaged by too much moisture or too much heat. The result can be warping or splitting. Don’t submerge your board in water to clean it. Use a sponge and warm soapy water instead. To restore a damaged board, oil it on a regular basis, using a product specifically designed for wood cutting boards. Make sure you let your board dry before using it again.
Use these tips as-is, or spice them up and make them your own. Create food that your whole family can enjoy together. The benefits of learning how to cook better extend beyond your diet and reach as far as your whole way of life. Make your kitchen the core of your house.