If you want to be a great cook, there are some important things you need to know. This article is full of helpful advice for all kinds of cooks. This informative article is broken down into easy to follow tips that anyone can understand.
Store herbs and spices in an area that is cool and dark. Their flavors are weakened by heat, light and humidity. Herbs and spices that are ground usually remain flavorful for a year. Whole spices may keep their flavors, possibly, three years or longer. When stored in the correct place, they will keep their freshness for longer.
If you’re trying to start making more food yourself, try looking at basic cookbooks in your local library or bookstore. Try your hand at several recipes that pique your interest, and forgive yourself for any mistakes you may make along the way.
Cut your meat very thin and with the bias when you are stirfrying. That can be time consuming and a bit difficult. Cut your meat as it is still a little frozen and cut it at a forty five degree angle, with the bias.
If you want to reduce the amount of calories and fat in a mashed potato dish, substitute cauliflower for some of the potatoes. Cauliflower’s bland taste makes it easier for it to blend with the potatoes, so that you can’t taste it, and it picks up other ingredients. Additionally, cauliflower has the same texture and color as mashed potatoes, so it makes it an easy, healthy addition to your dish.
Regardless of the recipe, you can always bet that a fresh ingredient is better than its dried or frozen counterpart. Use fresh ingredients as much as you can, because they add better flavor to your dish and tend to be a lot cheaper.
Chicken Broth
Sauteing vegetables in chicken broth is very healthy. The chicken broth will add a dimension of flavor, and let you cut down on how much oil you use. This is a delicious and healthy way to easily cook vegetables.
Always seek out garlic that is fresh and firm. Usually, fresher garlic will have a sweeter taste. Fresh garlic is firm and lacks bruises.
Dry your own tomatoes. Simply cut them into 1/2 half inch slices, or cut lengthwise for Romas. You should place them on cooling rack, and salt them lightly with the cut side up. The rack should then be placed on a baking sheet in an oven set to 190 degrees for no more than 10 hours. The dried tomatoes can be put in plastic bags and frozen. Another option is to store dried tomatoes in a jar that contains fresh, flavorful herbs and olive oil. Place this in the refrigerator and be sure to use it within 2 weeks.
As was stated at the beginning of this article, there are tips and secrets to learn to become a good cook. As with any other skill, it will come naturally for some people, while others will need more practice and advice. If you follow the advice in this article, you will be that much closer to becoming that great cook that was always hiding inside.