To some, cooking is nothing but a burden. Here is a compilation of tips and suggestions that can help make cooking enjoyable for you.
If you make sauce, freeze it into ice cubs to use later on. This will make reheating the sauce easy, as you can pull out as many cubes that you need for the next meal. The sauce is still good after it is frozen.
You should bake crusts for a longer period of time than you think. They should be a light golden brown instead of pale in color. The crust changes to the caramel color only after the sugar has had time to caramelize. This will give the crust the sweet flavor you want.
Use a generous amount of salt in your pasta water when making pasta. Seasoning will impregnate the pasta more efficiently while it cooks. Once it’s been cooked, the pasta will be harder to season properly.
Cooking for large groups can create a lot of anxiety and stress. If you want to avoid last-minute panic and confusion, all you need to do is complete as much of your preparation in advance as possible. Proactive steps you can take include gathering ingredients, measuring out needed portions and making marinades.
A lot of preparatory work can be done ahead of time in order to speed up time spent cooking. Check recipes to find out what can be prepared ahead of time without risking spoilage. Much of the preparations can be finished one day prior to cooking. Even if you are faced with a challenging recipe, it can make everything go quickly.
It is important to take proper care of wood cutting boards. Wood is prone to warp or split when used as a cutting board. Food juices, plus the washing and drying process, will cause this damage. You should not ever leave your board submerged in water, rather apply a wet sponge to clean it. If your board becomes damaged, use an oil consistently that is made for wood boards. Make sure it is completely dry before you use it.
Mashed Potatoes
Adding cauliflower to your mashed potatoes is a great way to reduce the amount of fat and calories they contain. You should use equal portions of potatoes and cauliflower when making this delicious side. Cauliflower blends perfectly with your potatoes without changing the taste of your mashed potatoes. Cauliflower has the same texture and color as potatoes, offering you a perfect way to add another vegetable to your dish while cutting calories.
Dry ground meat with a towel before you put it in the pan to remove excess moisture. Blot away the excess moisture on all ground meat before cooking. If you leave it there, the meat will not cook properly. The heat will vaporize the moisture. This will cause the ground beef to steam, instead of searing.
Make sure that all your preparation is done prior to cooking. You’ll be glad you have your prep work done when it’s time to cook. When you need to create a meal within a certain amount of time it can be stressful. If all of the prep work is completed well before the actual cooking begins, this will help alleviate some stress later.
Always make certain you are checking out the ingredient labels when getting items for a recipe. There can be some ingredients in foods that are unhealthy. You need to make sure what you are purchasing is not high in sugar or sodium, as they are known to cause terrible health problems when consuming too much.
To improve your pasta sauce, put aside some of the water used during the cooking of the pasta. Save about one-fourth of a cup of water after draining the pasta. The water should be added to the sauce and pasta mixture. The water from the pasta contains starch, which can thicken your sauce.
Brightening your cooking with color is always a lot of fun. Eating meals that have some extra color is not only better for you, but they also attract your eyes. A range of vibrant garnishments exists that you can use, from carrot curls to parsley. If you are creative with the colors of your meals, they will be eaten very quickly.
Ensure that all of your spices and herbs are stored in a cool and dry area away from direct light. Being exposed to humidity, heat, and light will cause your spices and cooking herbs to lose some of their potency. Exposing the spices to these kinds of conditions can enable them to lose their flavor.
Cinnamon Roll
It is possible to cut your cinnamon rolls with ease. Many people find it hard to slice the dough evenly and quickly. Get a piece of thread to place under the cinnamon roll where you’d like to cut it. Next, bring your thread (or fishing line, thin wire, etc) around either side of the roll, crossing the thread as if you’re about to tie your shoes. Then, quickly pull down equally in either direction. This helps you get “perfect” cinnamon roll slices!
Cook your vegetables in chicken broth. Chicken broth is an excellent base to use when preparing vegetable dishes that helps keep them from sticking and gives them some flavor. Chicken broth can be bought at almost any grocery store, and is so inexpensive.
You do not need to cook something elaborate to impress others. A simple sandwich with mayo or mustard perfectly spread to each corner of the bread can make a lasting impression. Usually people just slab it on in the middle. When you spread your condiments evenly, you ensure that every bite is as good as can be.
Try to add the oil into your pans from the sides, so that by the time it touches the food, it will be hot. The already heated oil will do a much better job at cooking and flavoring your food.
As we have discussed, there are a large variety of things you can do to make cooking much more fun and enjoyable. Follow these tips and you will be able to creatively engage in your cooking and turn it into a positive experience.