The desire to be a great chef is inherent in many of us, but the process you must go through to become a great chef can be entirely overwhelming. Understand that cooking is a step-by-step process, and this article will teach you how to become a better cook quickly.
Never forget to measure oil when you are using it for cooking. 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. This is the best way to know the amount of oil being added to your food.
Do you wonder whether the meat you are grilling is done yet? The best way to be sure that your meat has cooked fully is to test it with a digital meat thermometer near the center of the thickest part of the meat. For a steak, or any other meat, that is more than one and a half inches thick, you can speed up the cooking time by covering it with the grill lid.
Do you ever hesitate to toss moldy food? Are you tempted to just cut off the moldy part and save the rest for your meal? Cutting off rotten bits of fruit will not make them safer. The bacteria that causes mold goes deeper than you think, so it’s always best to throw away food with even the smallest of mold spots.
If you make sauce, freeze it into ice cubs to use later on. This way, the next time you want some sauce, all you need to do is saute it in a pan. Freezing the sauce in this manner will keep it fresh and ready to be reheated.
Make a lot of stock if you are going to make it ahead of time. Plan on preparing a large pot of stock in order to freeze it for storing. That tasty chicken stock is very versatile and can be perfect for your next stew, casserole or soup. Just cool your stock and freeze it in heavyweight Ziploc freezer bags.
If you are combining sugar and butter for a cookie recipe, it is essential that the butter is soft but not melted. If it has begun to melt, place in a freezer for a short time to harden it up, or refrigerate the cookie dough for a bit after mixing all the ingredients. Cooler dough will prevent your cookies from spreading too much.
You should let your meat rest prior to serving. Many home cooks do not realize how important it is to let the meal rest. It can be tempting to serve a meal straight off the grill. If you do this, you’ll miss out on the meat’s full flavor. Always allow your meat sit for about 5 minutes before eating.
To give your meals a burst of flavor, instead of using water, try adding beef or chicken stock. Alternatively, you can drop bouillon cubes directly into the cooking water. In this way, you can be sure your food has enough moisture and extra flavor!
Spreading the mayonnaise evenly across the entire piece of bread results in a much better sandwich. Slow down and resist the tendency to just plop mayo in the center of the sandwich. It is much more enjoyable to have mayo in every bite.
Whether your desire to cook a meal for your family or impress a date, the ability to create great meals will always be an asset. Sharing meals with friends and family is a worldwide practice. If you implement the tips in this article, it won’t be long before you are an accomplished cook and your dinner parties are the talk of the town.