Being an excellent chef can be simpler than you probably realize. When cooking, it’s fine to experiment with different things, so that you can discover your strengths and weaknesses. You can use this advice to help expand your comfort-zone and begin building a reputation as an excellent cook. Heed this advice to drastically improve your skills in the kitchen.
Do not forget to add salt to water for making pasta. The seasoning will soak into the pasta this way. Salting pasta after cooking it results in a less flavorful pasta dish.
Fresh herbs in a meal are delicious. Bunch them together and then use a pair of scissors to snip them. This results in light and fluffy herbs, and prevents the wetness that can occur when you chop them.
Eat hearty winter greens. Following the first winter frost, greens like collards, broccoli rabe and kale become much sweeter in taste. Focus on those vegetables that have a vibrant hue, while passing over their wilting, yellowing cousins. Wash these greens carefully, as they tend to collect a great deal of dirt. Dunk the greens in nice cool water, shake them, and then rinse in your sink until the water starts running clear.
In recipes that call for milk or water, try substituting more flavorful liquids. Juices, beef broth, or vegetable broth can all be used as a substitute for water. If a recipe calls for milk, try using buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream. Changing liquids can improve the nutrition of the dish and make it more lively.
If your schedule will be packed the following day, get some of your ingredients ready the day before you intend to cook. Decrease your stress level and enjoy your time in the kitchen by doing all the prep work ahead of time.
Consider using ketchup to batter ingredients that you are going to fry. 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. By using ketchup as a base for your fried foods you will add another unexpected layer and tang to your food.
Find fresher ways to prepare meals with oysters. Even though oysters are usually eaten raw with drops of lemon juice, they can be made in plenty of other ways. Place halved oysters, still in their shells, onto a broiler pan, then cover them with a dollop of cream. Next, grate some Parmesan cheese and pepper and sprinkle it over the oysters, then broil until it reaches a boil. Sauteing your oysters is another great idea. Cover them in some flour and fry them in very hot butter for about two minutes until they appear golden. Bake oysters with shells still in tact. Place them into a casserole dish, and then place a little butter and fresh, new breadcrumbs on every oyster. Once you’ve done all of this, bake the dish at about 425 degrees for approximately 4-5 minutes. Remove when the juices and butter start to bubble; serve immediately, accompanied by a freshly-toasted baguette.
If you are preparing a recipe with an unfamiliar fruit or vegetable, enhance your skills as a chef by taking a moment to educate yourself about it. You may find that your research leads to many great new ways to use the food. To have a better cooking experience, educate yourself before starting anything new in the kitchen.
These tips and tricks should immediately help you find your way around the kitchen better. Take a shot at each suggestion at least once. It is recommended that you practice these techniques in order to refine your cooking skills. You can quickly improve your chef skills if you take the time to try these tips.