To be the best cook you can be, there are some crucial things you need to know. The article which follows contains secrets, tips and techniques which will help you to go from a basic chef to a master cook. By following these tips, you will learn what steps need to be taken.
You should let your meat rest prior to serving. Few people understand how important it is to allow the meal itself to rest before serving it. You may think it is best to serve your meat right off the grill so it is piping hot. If you serve immediately off the grill, you will lose most of the juices in meat when you cut into it. To maximize taste and satisfaction, wait a little while before you serve your meal to friends or family.
Whenever you are adding seasoning to a recipe, add it slowly over time rather than dumping it all at once. When you use this method, you will be more in control of the flavor and can limit over using your ingredients.
You can add another level of flavor to your fried foods by adding ketchup to your batter. Ketchup isn’t just for dipping; when frying veggies or chicken, try dipping them in ketchup before rolling them in flour or breadcrumbs. It creates a wonderful and unexpected tang in your fried foods that will have all of your friends wanting to know your secret.
Cooking with skewers may seem easy; however, there are some tips that will make your skewer cuisine delicious every time. Using metal skewer types will increase your chances of success when compared to wooden options.
Your spices should be stored in a cool place that is free of light. Shelf life can be significantly decreased for those spices which have been exposed to too much light, dampness and heat. Keeping your spices in a cooler space with little light will enhance their flavor and shelf life. Better tasting meals are the result of the ingredients you use, including the freshest spices possible.
Make use of stacking racks for cooling things straight out of the oven. When you bake a big cookie batch, you might have no room from all of the cooling racks. Stackable cooling racks are very efficient ways to use your kitchen counter space. Thinking vertically makes your kitchen more space efficient.
When baking a cake, be sure not to over or under cook it. The times on the recipe are great as a guide for cooking, but factors like elevation and various oven temperatures can effect the actual cooking time of cakes. Sticking a toothpick in the center of the cake is a time proven test for doneness. If it comes out clean, the cake is done; if batter comes out with it, the cake needs to be baked longer.
Don’t use any wine in your meals that you wouldn’t drink. If you select wine that you do not enjoy or use a bottle that you have never tried, you may not like how your food turns out. Look for wines that are specifically used for cooking.
Depending on the recipe, pick the correct potatoes. Potatoes are designated into groups: all-purpose, waxy or mealy. Mealy potatoes are great for mashing since they have a crumbly and dry texture. Russet potatoes are a familiar mealy potato. A good all-purpose potato that can be used for many different potato dishes is the Yukon Gold. Waxy potatoes are good for steaming or boiling because their shape is maintained. The most common varieties of the waxy potatoes are the regular red and white potatoes.
As previously stated, there are some tips and tricks you should learn to cook well. Some people naturally love cooking, while others need a push. They just need a little information. Whichever camp you fall into, this article has hopefully nudged you a little closer to being a real cooking wizard.