Cooking does not have to be an obligation. You can make it fun. With the proper tools and the right information, anyone can learn to cook. With that in mind, keep reading to discover both information and advice that will help you in your cooking efforts.
A cool and dark location is best for storing spices and herbs. Common kitchen conditions, such as heat, light, and humidity, will destroy the flavor of herbs and spices. Usually herbs and ground spices tend to stay fresh for about a year. Whole spices might retain their flavors for three to five years. They’ll remain fresh longer if stored properly.
Keep all spices stored out of the sunlight. If they are stored in an area that they are exposed to light, heat and humidity, their shelf life is shortened. Keeping your spices in darkened, cool areas will lend extra longevity and flavor. If you use fresh spices, your food will taste better.
When you are seasoning meats, try cooking a small piece first and testing it out, before making all of it. Certain foods require limited seasonings. Ground beef dishes typically require less seasoning than other meats. Do not cook all of the meat immediately after seasoning. Just make a small piece and try it. Once you have tried your sample you can correct the seasoning or proceed with the cooking.
Lengthy cooking processes such as boiling remove many of the important nutrients found in vegetables. Rather than boiling, quickly steam or sauté your vegetables to retain nutrients. Even better, eat them raw!
When cooking or preparing for someone important, such as your boss or a new date, it is best to cook food that you are good at. You are taking a risk if you want to try something new. Cooking will be less stressful.
To maintain a vegetable’s quality, cook it quickly. Using a slow cooking method is sometimes suggested, but the results are less nutritious and don’t taste as good. Speed cooking vegetables also retains the best texture and nutrition. You should only cook them just as long as it takes for them to be done.
Garlic may be a tasty addition to your meals, but the smell that stays on your hands is a bit of a downside. However, rub your hands inside a stainless steel basin when you have finished working with any strong-odor ingredient. This serves to both clean your hands thoroughly and prevent the odors from seeping into any other food you are going to handle.
Cooking isn’t just being able to serve food. It is an enjoyable hobby for many people and you get to eat your creations. Sometimes your dishes will be epic failures, but as you read more and more tips, you’ll have more successes and less failures. Follow these tips and experiment with ingredients you like to become a great cook.