It is not uncommon to feel like your kitchen is a dull, uninspired place. With a passion for all things culinary, however, this can change. Your kitchen then becomes a place you enjoy, and the end product is a wonderful meal that you can share with others. Here are some suggestions to consider.
If you are going to be measuring sticky foods, then use cooking oil first. Just dab a little oil on your measuring spoon or cup, and your measured ingredient will slide right off when ready. This works great for foods such as peanut butter and margarine.
Clean cooking utensils are an absolute necessity when you start any cooking project. If your utensils are not completely clean, you run the risk of introducing old food residue into whatever you are cooking. Bacteria will develop and spread on unclean utensils.
When you need to add oil and your food is already cooking, add it on the sides of the pan so that it will heat as it rolls towards the food. This will enhance the flavors of the food.
Try ketchup as a batter ingredient in fried foods. Not only is ketchup good for dipping food into after they’re cooked, it’s also good when you dip food into it before putting them in breadcrumbs. The ketchup adds a whole new dimension of flavor to fried foods.
There are many ways that you can refurbish your defected pie crust. If your dough has developed cracks, you may have overworked it. Sprinkle cold water on the cracks and spread the dough. If cracks appear in the top portion of the crust you can brush it with some milk and then sprinkle a little sugar over the cracks. The glaze these techniques create will make the cracks difficult to see.
Applying some salt on a cutting board when chopping fresh herbs is a good idea. It will not only add flavor to the herbs but it will also keep them in place while they are being chopped. To avoid serving a dish that is too salty, do not add extra salt to the meal you are preparing. Any salt on your cutting board can stick to the herbs you are chopping and enhance their flavor.
If you have sauce left over after a meal, store the remainder in one or more ice cube trays and let it freeze. This makes it easier for you to make a quick meal which you can reheat at a later time. Freezing the sauce in this manner will keep it fresh and ready to be reheated.
You can make a lot of preparations when you are cooking to make it easy and fast. Recipes should be examined and items that won’t spoil that can be prepared a day or two ahead should be done first. There are many recipes where you can do the prep work the day before you start cooking. Prepping before you cook can make even advanced recipes fun and accessible.
Use a strainer spoon to remove fat from the top of cooled stew and soups. You can do this by letting the dish cool down completely so that the fat rises to the surface. Once all the fat has surfaced, use a spoon to slowly move an ice cube across the surface of the soup. The fat will begin collecting on the ice cube. Another method to remove the fat from your cooled soup or stew is to blot it with a paper towel.
Let the preceding tips multiply in your head and generate new, personal cooking ideas. You should be able to prepare foods that your family and you thoroughly enjoy eating. If you cook as a hobby, it can help your life and your diet. Make sure your kitchen is the hub of your home.