Every novice cooker has to begin at some point. The truth is that not everyone is born with the ability to cook. The good news is that everyone can learn how to become a good cook. Becoming the best cook you can is all about learning as much as you can! In the following article, you will read some tips that should help you become a better cook and even enjoy cooking more.
Dark, leafy greens are extremely nutritious, but it can be time-consuming to prepare them. Getting the stems out, for instance, is tedious without an easy cooking tip. The easiest way to remove the stem is to fold the leaf lengthwise in half; then break the tough stem out from it’s middle. Another way is to cut out the stem from the folded leaf with a knife. When you unfold the leaf, it will be ready for cooking and completely edible.
When boiling water to cook pasta, be sure to add a generous sprinkling of salt. This way, the flavor is able to fully permeate the pasta. Salting the pasta after cooking it does not allow it to hold seasoning that well.
If you are often pressed for time when making dinner, try doing a little preparation work before hand, perhaps on the night before you plan to cook the dinner. Try cutting up onions and vegetables, making a sauce or marinating the meat before you go to sleep in the evening. You’ll be less stressed when cooking the following day.
You can boil away all of the health benefits of many vegetables. For nutrient preservation, saute, blanch or steam your vegetables or simply enjoy them raw.
If you love using fresh basil, try growing it on your own to always have it on hand. In a glass put a lot of fresh basil inside. Cover its stems completely with water. This will help to keep it from going bad for quite a few days. The basil will grow roots if you occasionally change the water. Cut or trim the basil occasionally to encourage additional growth and you can enjoy fresh basil for some time!
If you wish to eat more protein, try one of the many varieties of beans or tofu available. Both are easily available to buy at almost every grocery store. For a meat alternative, try pan frying seasoned tofu. Make beans a less boring source of protein by including some herbs when you boil them.
Try putting some cauliflower in with your mashed potatoes to cut some calories and fat. You will not even taste the cauliflower in with the potatoes, because it is so bland. Cauliflower mashes into the same texture and color as potatoes, so no one will notice, and you you will get the benefits.
There are some ways to properly take care of a cutting board made of wood. Heat, moisture and other elements can cause warping and splitting of the wood. You should not ever leave your board submerged in water, rather apply a wet sponge to clean it. Cutting boards should be treated regularly with specifically designed oil products. It should be completely dry before its next use.
Use a thick-skinned baking potato for firmer-shelled twice baked potatoes. You cannot use red potatoes because their skin is too thin to hold up to a dense filling.
For maximum sandwich enjoyment, make sure you spread mayonnaise evenly across the bread. Sometimes, when people are rushed, they just slap some mayo down in the middle of the bread. With it evenly spread, you ensure your sandwiches are deliciously flavorful with every bite!
You only need to be able to read and follow instructions to become an effective cook. This isn’t rocket science, after all. Make sure you apply the tips you have just read and experiment with new ideas.