Many see cooking meals as simply another chore. The truth is that cooking is a joy. It’s also a good step toward a more healthy lifestyle. A good cook is always learning, and this article will hopefully enhance your knowledge and enjoyment of how to cook.
Take care to not overfill your pan when you are sauteing. The extra moisture creates steaming which will prevent the food from attaining the crispy texture that sauteing is known for. Pay attention to the temperature and keep it low.
There is not just one kind of potato, and each kind works best in different recipes. There are potatoes that are good for mashing, and there are others that are good when used in potato salad; it really does matter what variety they are. When making those foods, potatoes which are fluffy, like Russets, are best.
The night before you cook, try to prepare as much as possible. This will aid in avoiding cooking disasters that can arise from being unprepared, including flare-ups from overheated oil or choosing the wrong temperatures for your needs.
If you are cooking and you need to add some oil to the pan, drip it down the inside so that it will be a little warm when it hits the food. This will make your food more flavorful when it is ready to serve.
It is a good practice to place cut potatoes in a bath of cold water for about half and hour, before frying in order to get crispy fries. Doing this increases the strength of the fiber in the potatoes, which means that they don’t break down as quickly during the deep frying phase.
Baking dishes with oil in place of microwaving them prevents a greasy mess while reheating. Microwaves have such intense heat that they separate oil, which gets hot the quickest, from other ingredients that heat more slowly. Conversely, baking heats food gradually and evenly, helping it stay flavorful and unified.
If you are looking for ways to include more protein to your daily diet, look no further than beans and tofu. Both are readily available in grocery stores. Make a yummy meat alternative by pan frying the tofu with some seasonings. Make beans a less boring source of protein by including some herbs when you boil them.
Proper care for a wood cutting board. Excessive moisture, dryness, or heat all affect wood cutting boards and can cause them to split and change shape. Don’t submerge your board in water to clean it. Use a sponge and warm soapy water instead. Use an oil specifically formulated for cutting boards to restore and protect wooden boards. Make sure that your board is completely dry before you use it.
When you are making batches of waffles or pancakes for breakfast and you need to keep them warm until served, follow this procedure. Let your oven warm up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Put an oven-safe plate in the center of your oven. Place your cooked pancakes or waffles on this to stay warm.
If you are creating a large meal for lots of people, there is a good chance that you are feeling a little stressed. Instead of leaving everything until crunch time, take the time to do some prep work the day before the event. That means assembling the ingredients and tools, proper measurements and starting any marinades.
In summary, a top-notch cook is always adding to their knowledge. The fun is not only in the cooking, but in the learning about new foods, styles and techniques to try. A lot of the joy of cooking comes from sharing. Cooking shouldn’t simply be a skill that you learn; it should be a gift that you share.