Good cooking skills are something everyone should have, regardless of whether you are living alone or living in a large family unit. Having the ability to cook is beneficial in so many ways, notwithstanding the nutritional and financial benefits of knowing this art. The information provided in this article will vastly broaden your cooking knowledge.
It is important to cook your meat properly, so always have a meat thermometer on hand. There is a recommended minimum temperature for every type of meat; this ensures that meat is cooked well enough to be safe to eat. If meats are not properly cooked, any bacteria present can grow and could possibly make you very sick if not killed during the cooking process.
Do not assume this ingredient is for meat only. For example, sprinkle it over roasted nuts or seeds, or use a dash when cooking eggs for breakfast. People will wonder how you’ve managed to add such amazing flavor to simple dishes.
You can start cooking simple meals out of a cookbook you can borrow from the library. That way you can try different meals that you can prepare and when you are done you can take it back. Focus on one recipe at a time and give yourself enough time to improve your cooking.
To add additional flavoring to items such as mashed potatoes or soup, use chicken or even beef stock in place of the water. Bouillon cubes are a great way to add instant flavor when mixed with the right amount of water. This process adds another layer of flavor to your food, in addition to giving it the required amount of moisture needed to cook.
It is a good idea to store unripened fruits in perforated plastic bags. As a fruit becomes ripe, it puts off ethylene gasses. By using the plastic bag with small holes, you are circulating the air in the bag which allows the fruit the retain its taste.
Sometimes we may forget to taste our cooking before adding salt, and end up with too much of it. Not to worry, though, as this can be fixed. Cut a peeled potato into a few large chunks, and allow them to simmer in the over-salted sauce or soup for 15 minutes or so. Doing so lets the potato pieces absorb any excess amounts of salt from your sauce. If you are cooking a tomato-based dish, adding some additional tomatoes will work to dilute the extra salt.
When cooking potato skins or twice baked potatoes, always use the kind with a thick skin such as a russet. A red potato’s skin is too thin to hold together if you are using a dense filling.
Fat Free
If you want to make fat free stew or soup, begin by using a soup stock or broth that is fat free. Use plenty of vegetables as well as lean meat to keep the fat content low in the soup. When your soup finishes cooking, chill it in the refrigerator for a bit. This will cause the fat to congeal and rise to the top. You can then easily pluck the fat from your soup and discard it prior to eating. You will remove not only fat, but also around 100 calories per tablespoon of fat removed.
There are a few ways in which you can reheat tortillas. Most people prefer to heat the tortillas directly on the rack, in a 350 degree oven. You can also use a gas stove top to warm tortillas right on the grill. Cooking the tortillas in these manners will help to make it tastier and fresher.
Pasta Salted
Use a substantial amount of salt in the water when you are cooking pasta. This is the most effective time to season pasta. Pasta salted during cooking tastes better than pasta salted after the fact.
It is always important to follow a macaroni and cheese recipe very carefully, to ensure you get the best possible results. This is the perfect way to cook the macaroni. The cheese will add the final touch. You can use a solid spoon to serve macaroni and cheese. Spice up the dish with a bit of salt and black pepper.
If your hands start to smell like the fish or onions that you are cooking, take a moment to rub them against a stainless steel surface before you wash them. You can use any stainless steel item: spoon, sink, or specially made “soap bar.” Rubbing them on stainless steel will remove the odor and keep your hands smelling fresh.
When you prepare a simple dish, be sure to use herbs and seasoning that are fresh. Using dried herbs, like basil or oregano, is acceptable if a dish is complex and has many flavors. Fresh herbs have brighter flavors, though, and will lend a fresher taste to your meal. Consider growing your own herb garden. You can grow many herbs in a small space and have them on hand constantly.
If you are trying to measure a sticky substance, cooking oil can help. Just dab a little oil on your measuring spoon or cup, and your measured ingredient will slide right off when ready. Peanut butter, honey, and marshmallow are perfect examples of things you can use this tip for.
If you are going to make a stir-fry dish, slice the meat on the bias, as thinly as possible. This may take some time and effort. Use meat that is firm, but unfrozen, and slice the meat across the grain, at 45 degrees.
Use high-quality utensils to cut with in the kitchen. It’s safer to cut with a sharp instrument than it is to with a dull one, and you will also save some time. A greater number of accidents occur because of dull utensils. Therefore, purchasing sharper ones decreases the chance of injury.
Cooking for yourself or family can greatly benefit you. It doesn’t matter if you prefer avant-garde haute cuisine, regional favorites, or simple home cooking; you can improve your lifestyle by improving your cooking skills with the preceding tips. Going to the drive-thru may be convenient here or there, but nothing is better than a home-cooked meal!