Having a fantastic meal at a restaurant can leave you marveling at the chef’s skill and pondering just how that chef prepared it. Have you ever tried to replicate that meal at home? Follow these tips to learn the secrets of fine cooking. Many people find cooking to be a fun, relaxing hobby.
Always store your spices in a cool and dark place. Their flavors are weakened by heat, light and humidity. Ground herbs and spices retain their flavor for 12 months under normal circumstances. Whole spices can keep their flavor for up to five years. The length of time that they stay fresh depends on how they are stored.
Being organized is a key step when planning to prepare a meal for family or friends. Double-check to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Get out everything that you’ll need including the ingredients and utensils a day ahead of time. With a good plan and everything in place, you will feel far less anxious.
You should slice meat thinly and also on the bias when cooking stir-fry dishes. It is possible that you may have a little trouble doing so in a time efficient manner. When it has firmed (not frozen), take it out of the freezer and then cut it against the meat grain at an angle of 45 degrees.
Whatever you may be cooking, using fresh foods is always better than canned, dried, or frozen. Fresh ingredients will give your dish extra flavor, and can turn out to be less expensive over time.
If you are left with extra sauce after a meal, find a clean ice cube tray to pour the leftovers into and store the tray in the freezer. You will then have it readily available for when you need to make a quick and easy meal. All that needs to be done is to warm it up in a pan. Have no fear, for the sauce will taste great even after being frozen in the trays!
Have you wondered if you are overgrilling your meat? The best way to figure this out is by using a meat thermometer (a digital one will work best). This will ensure that the inside of your meat is cooked properly. If you are grilling a thicker piece of meat (over 1.5 inches), close your grill while cooking to save some time.
You are now ready to start producing restaurant standard food in your own kitchen. Remember, use your imagination in the kitchen and experiment with new techniques and recipes. There are so many amazing foods and spices from around the world, so your opportunity to experiment is limitless!