Not everyone knows how to cook, but everyone eats! These tips can help you to increase your cooking skills. Do not think cooking is too complicated or time consuming for you. Preparing tasty meals is something that anyone can do, and it’s fun too! Take advantage of the tips contained in this article and don’t be afraid of making a mess every so often. As long as you are learning, it’s okay.
Have you ever wanted to cook a meal using fresh basil? Take a few twigs of the basil and place it in a small container or glass. The stems should be thoroughly covered in water. Put it on top of your kitchen counter and it will be fresh for weeks! Change the water regularly and roots will grow. Trim your plant on occasion and you will encourage future growth. This means you will have fresh basil in your kitchen for a long time to come!
You feel the need to wow your guests by cooking something fancy, though if it is a recipe that you have never tried before, now is not the right time. Whether you are looking to impress a boss, the in-laws or a potential mate, it is not the time to be daring. The best way to make them happy would be to cook a great meal, so make sure you cook something you are familiar with.
Your spices should be stored in a place that is cool and dark. Putting them in a warm, lighted area can reduce their useful life, due to light and heat exposure. Store spices in a dark, cool location to keep them flavorful and fresher for longer. Fresh spices offer better taste profiles than stale ones.
Wok-fried rice is a delicious meal and a simple way to use up some of the leftover meats and veggies that are still sitting around in your fridge. Cool, day-old rice is best, but if you must make it fresh, cut the water by just a bit to make slightly drier rice. Fry the ingredients in oil and add rice with spices and sauce.
It’s necessary for a cook to organize all cooking supplies. If you refuse to organize your cooking supplies, you’ll take longer to find the utensils you need. Organize your kitchen logically. As an example, you may want to keep all of your spices together.
Apples spoil quickly if stored incorrectly. Warm dry air causes apples to rot, so put them in plastic bags with loose ties in a fridge or cool basement. Watch them, because it will only take one rotten apple to ruin the others.
There are quite a few different types of potatoes. Not all potatoes can be interchanged in recipes. Some potatoes are waxy and are great for making things like boiled potatoes or potato salad but are not so good for french fries, mashed potatoes, or baked potatoes. When preparing these dishes, opt for russet potatoes, which have a fluffier texture.
Put your fresh herbs together in a bunch and use kitchen shears to cut them all at once. By using this technique you can chop many herbs in a short amount of time, and they will be much lighter and fluffier, without the wetness that you get when using a knife.
When cooking, get into the habit of washing your dishes as soon as you finish using them. Have your sink full of soapy, hot water one side, and use the other side to rinse. It is much easier to wash cooking utensils right after using them, and in some cases, you’ll need the same utensil again later in the cooking process.
The more you cook, the easier and less intimidating it gets. Cooking is fun, helps you eat better and saves you money. Apply these tips the next time you go grocery shopping or cook. Experiment with new recipes and remember to have fun.