If you are just getting started learning how to cook, remember that everyone must start with the basics. While some people can step in the kitchen and work magic their first time, not everyone is so gifted. Luckily, it is fairly easy to learn to cook basic foods. There are several key pieces of information that are sure to improve your cooking skills. The article below discusses helpful advice to help you get started.
Add a little salt to your cutting board whenever you are slicing up some herbs. This gives the herbs a little flavor. Mostly, though, a little salt keeps the herbs from flying off the board. Then monitor the amount of salt that you add to the food as it is cooking. The salt that you sprinkle on the board sticks to the herbs and gives them just the right amount of flavor.
Be careful to neither over-bake nor under-bake your cake! Recommended baking times are just that, recommendations, and can sometimes be misleading because simple things like elevation can change the baking times of the cake. A better way is to test the cake by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick has no batter on it, then the cake has finished baking. If it does have batter on it, then put the cake back in the oven.
Cook your vegetables quickly to retain quality and nutrients. Slow cooking, and overcooking, vegetables will destroy their nutritional content and flavor. Speed cooking vegetables also retains the best texture and nutrition. Discovering how to quickly cook veggies in a safe manner is an important step in preparing more nutritious vegetables.
It is important to maintain a wooden cutting board properly. Wooden cutting boards can warp and split if they are exposed to heat and moisture or if they are stored in an excessively dry area. Don’t submerge your board in water to clean it. Use a sponge and warm soapy water instead. To restore a damaged board, oil it on a regular basis, using a product specifically designed for wood cutting boards. It should be completely dry before its next use.
if fresh basil what you’re cooking with? Take a large bunch of this fresh herb and place it in a glass. Make sure the the stems are completely covered with water. This will help to keep it from going bad for quite a few days. Many times the basil will root if the water is changed regularly. Cut it on occasion and your plant will continue to provide you with fresh basil for a long time to come.
It is important to use color when you are cooking. The consumption of colorful dishes is healthy to your body and pleasing to see. Garnishes like parsley, carrots, or tomatoes will add beautiful color to your meals. By being creative with the colors you use, you’ll notice that people will be rushing to eat them.
bake tart or pie crusts longer that you think they should be baked. They need to be a golden caramel color rather than pale blonde. This is because the golden color lets you know that the sugar from the crust has caramelized, which give it that sweet, yet crisp taste.
Many popular veggies and herbs have a strong residual odor that can remain on cutting boards well after use. Use permanent ink to mark one end of the cutting board to identify which is which.
Not many people are born with a natural talent to cook, though if you are good at following directions, you can be an amateur chef quickly. It really isn’t as hard as people tend to think. Just remember the advice you learned here, and you’ll be on your way.