Cooking can be one of the hardest things to learn. If you are just learning the basics of cooking, start with simple recipes that include some of your favorite ingredients.
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. There is bacteria present in the meat, and to make sure you do not get sick you will have to cook it thoroughly.
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. If you sprinkle some lemon juice or salt water on them it might slow down the process, but dipping the fresh fruit in pineapple juice is a tastier alternative. A quick dip is all that is required, so don’t worry about leaving it to soak.
Apples are very popular in cooking in fall and winter, but the spoilage rate is high if they are not stored correctly. Air that is dry and warm tends to make apples rot, and you can slow down this process by loosely placing them in plastic bags that are tied shut. Store them in a cool area, such as a refrigerator, garage or basement. Make sure to check on them regularly, as one rotten apple means the rest are soon to follow.
It is important to layer a salad well when it is going to be served a few hours after it is prepared. Your juicy ingredients should be at the bottom while your leafy items should be placed on top.
If you’re dealing with a vegetable or fruit that you aren’t familiar with, you should take the time to learn more information about it. Do some research, and you might be surprised at how versatile the new food is. By educating yourself prior to beginning anything in the kitchen, it will make your experience in the kitchen more fun and exciting.
If you use less oil when you are cooking you will cut some fat and lose weight. Butter and oils have fat that you do not need! Cooking spray is usually fat free and it help keep food from sticking to pots and pans.
Cooking methods like boiling tend to destroy a lot of the nutrients that are in vegetables. To preserve their healthy reputation, choose quick cooking methods such as sauteing or steaming – or better still, enjoy them in their natural, raw state.
An easy but effective method of cooking some interesting new foods is to just vary your sauces and spices you use in them. If you find some new spices to use it can change the taste of your food dramatically. An often overlooked and easy way to get some interesting spices and sauces is to shop at foreign food stores in your area.
The odors of many spices and vegetables will stay on your cutting board and will be impervious to soap. Put a waterproof mark on the end of the cutting board so you’ll know which side to use.
Prepare all of your ingredient before you begin cooking. This will stop you from having your oven or stove on for too long, and will also give you an extra safety level if you are using oil on a hot pan or other dangerous cooking techniques.
Even with no prior skill, cooking techniques can be improved with just a few simple tips and ideas. After gaining all this knowledge, all you need to do now is get in the kitchen and start cooking! Your dishes will be delicious and sure to please everyone.