Good food has a reputation for being many things. Use the following tips as a guide to help you become a better cook.
A good cooking method to consider is brine. Soak your proteins, especially poultry, in a brine for an hour prior to cooking to really pull out the inherent flavors.
Do prep work in advance to cut down on cooking time. It’s often possible to do some preparations even a couple days before you need to cook. In some cases, the longer preparation times can make some very flavorful creations in the end. Once you become accustomed to completing advanced prep work, you may never cook any other way.
Pay attention to details, such as how you apply the condiments, and all of your culinary creations will be impressive. Usually people just slab it on in the middle. With evenly spread mayonnaise over the entire piece of bread, every bite of the sandwich is flavorful and perfect.
If you decide on using fresh herbs, gather them in bunches and snip the stems with scissors. This is perfect for flavorful herbs like dill and parsley. 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.
Use leftover meats and vegetables to cook up a quick stir-fry at the end of the week. If you have day old rice on hand, that works best; but if not, reduce the water slightly to make it a little drier than normal. Fry your vegetables and meat in some oil. Once you’ve done this, add rice and any seasoning you want with garlic, ginger, soy sauce and other spices.
When you cook veggies, try using some chicken broth! Add extra flavor to your vegetables and keep them from sticking by using chicken broth instead of water. Chicken broth is cheap, and can be bought anywhere.
You should buy your fish and meat that are bone-in. All of the bones can be stored in freezer bags, so you can use them at another time.
Keep herbs and spices fresh and tasty by storing them in an area that is dark and cold. You are destroying your herbs’ flavors and wasting your money when you store them in a warm area or where they are exposed to sunlight.
Always measure your cooking oils! When it is time to add oil to your cooking pan, measure it instead of pouring directly from the bottle. This can ensure you are aware of the amount of unhealthy fat going into your food. Measuring the oil will let you closely examine how much oil you are using.
Always follow the directions on the box when making a simple mac and cheese. You will want the macaroni to have an ultimate consistency and firmness prior to melting the cheese over it. Solid faced spoons are great for serving up macaroni and cheese. Use pepper to add a little spice to your macaroni and cheese.
You will need to repair the pie crust! Overzealous kneading and handling of pie dough can cause it to weaken and crack. Try placing some cold water within the cracks and using your fingers to gently rub the affected area. If the cracks appear in the top part of the crust, brush on a bit of milk along with a sprinkle of sugar. This will give your crust a shiny, glazed finish that will distract from any cracks.
Food is the basis of life, and it is very powerful. By following these tips, you can make a positive impression on those you love with your fabulous cooking skills.