Many people think of cooking as a pleasant and worthwhile hobby. A kitchen full of yummy aromas and fresh ingredients can lift anyone’s mood. It can sometimes seem difficult, though, to pinpoint recipes that work for you or advice that leads to an ultimately successful meal. If you want to cook a perfect meal, try some of the advice in this article.
Bake pie and tart crusts for a longer time than you think is really necessary. Pastry crust should be baked to a golden caramel color rather than a pale blond shade. When you see the golden color it indicates carmelization, which lends a crisp, sweet flavor to the pie crust.
Corn Starch
Try this quick trick to salvage your efforts. Put some corn starch into water and mix it in your sauce. Continually stir the sauce while adding corn starch slowly. Be sure to gradually stir in the solution, and frequently stir the sauce so that it does not become too thick.
Do you want to cook with fresh basil? Store the basil in a jar. Then cover the stems of the basil with water. Keep it on the kitchen counter and it should stay fresh. Remember to refresh the water from time to time, and you will notice that the basil starts to grow roots. Picking the leaves from time to time will cause the basil to put out new growth, so you will have a constant supply!
If you want to make chicken stock, you might as well make a lot of it. If you make a large pot of stock, you can freeze it and store it for future use. That tasty chicken stock is very versatile and can be perfect for your next stew, casserole or soup. To store your homemade stock, let it cool, pour it into a freezer bag, and stick it in the freezer.
If a recipe calls for milk or water, try some other flavorful liquid to enhance the flavor of your dish. In place of water, try adding beef or chicken broth, juice or even water used to cook vegetables. Rather than using milk, think about yogurt, buttermilk or sour cream. A good method for increasing your nutritional intake is by increasing the amount of liquids you drink throughout the day.
Don’t mix unfamiliar wine into your food. Wine that you don’t like or haven’t tried can ruin the way you feel about the food. You could try wine that is specifically formulated for cooking purposes.
As this article has discussed, cooking is revered by many as an excellent and enjoyable hobby. However, some people don’t know where to start, in terms of picking the right recipes or using the proper techniques. Follow this article’s advice and you will be on your way to cooking great food.