Anyone can cook! Do you have the ability to purchase groceries and read written recipes? Is your kitchen stocked with the basic equipment necessary? If so, cooking is clearly within your realm of capabilities! Use the following advice to learn how to cook meals your whole family will enjoy.
Dark leafy vegetables are full of nutrients; however, they are difficult to clean prior to eating. Removing stems is laborious and time consuming. Simplify the task by folding the leaf lengthwise. Then remove the stem from the middle. Or, you can use a knife and cut out the stem from the folded leaf. Once the leaf is unfolded, a perfect de-stemmed leave remains.
Salvage a less-than-perfect pie crust instead of writing it off. If you have overworked your pie dough, it may develop cracks. To repair it, wet your fingers with cold water and gently rub over any cracked areas to mend them. If the cracks appear in the top part of the crust, brush on a bit of milk along with a sprinkle of sugar. Once baked, the milk and sugar mixture will create a lovely glaze that will disguise any cracks.
Tofu and beans are excellent sources of protein. Most grocery stores stock these items. Try frying tofu and adding seasoning to replace meat. The beans can be boiled with some herbs for a flavorful protein source.
Enjoy fresh vegetables from your garden or buy healthy foods while they are at their peak. Once the ground has frosted once, winter vegetables, including collards, broccoli rabe, and kale, become much sweeter. Go for the greens that have vivid colors and stay away from any that are turning color or have a limp quality to them. Take care to wash these greens very well because the leafy parts and stems can hold a lot of soil and grit. Soak them in water, then shake and rinse them until the water is clear.
Keep flour, sugar and other items for baking in tins with seals that keep the air out. Avoid exposure to moisture and insects by sealing food in airtight containers. You buy them pretty much anywhere and they are a beneficial asset.
Always keep your spices away from light in a cool place. If the spices become too hot, or moist from humidity, it can shorten their shelf life. Too much light exposure also does this. Try to find a cool, dark cupboard if you want to increase the flavor and lifespan of your favorite spices. Your culinary preparations will taste better if your spices are fresh.
If you have sauce left over after a meal, store the remainder in one or more ice cube trays and let it freeze. This way, when you want to make an easy meal another night, all you have to do is reheat it in a saute pan. The sauce will be very edible after it comes out of the trays.
Try new methods of preparing oysters. Usually oysters are eaten raw with a small amount of lemon juice, but there are many other ways you could prepare them. Place the opened oysters into their shells onto a broiler pan, cover the oysters with a little amount of cream. Add some Parmesan cheese along with some fresh pepper, then broil until it bubbles. Alternatively, you could saute the oysters. Coat the oysters with seasoned flour, then fry them up in butter for around two minutes, or until the oysters are golden. Don’t remove the oysters from their shells when you bake them. Put them in a dish made for casseroles, and put a little of butter with fresh breadcrumbs on top of each; preheat oven to 425 degrees, and bake for 4 to 5 minutes. If the juices and butter are bubbling, serve with toasted baguette and when it’s hot.
For some people, cooking is a hobby, while for others, it is their profession. Take lots of advice from others who are good at cooking. It’s the best way you can learn. Try these tips out when you cook a meal for your family and watch their faces light up with joy when they realize how great your food tastes.