Do you go out to eat and wonder about the recipes that were used to create your meal? Have you tried to copy recipes that restaurants use? The following hints will teach you how to create your favorite dishes as well as some new one. You’ll love the results you taste after using these tips, and you will have found a new hobby to enjoy too!
If you are cooking pancakes or waffles in the morning, you can put them in the oven so they will stay warm until you are ready to serve them. Crank the oven up to 300 degrees. Once you finish cooking the food, put it on a plate, and then place it in the oven so that it retains its warmth.
Avoid adding salt and garlic to dried beans that have not yet softened. The softening process can be hindered, particularly if the beans have been dried for a long period of time. Save the seasonings until the beans have cooked at least part of the way to get the texture that you want.
If you enjoy using fresh herbs, consider bunching them together and cutting them with scissors while preparing your next meal. When cut in this way, these herbs will have a lighter, fresher appearance.
It is important to only use wine that you typically drink when you are cooking. Using a wine that you dislike could ruin the taste of the food. Look for wines that are specifically used for cooking.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that every potato is like the others. There are some potatoes that are waxy and recommended for making boiled potatoes and potato salad but are not recommended for mashed potatoes, french fries or baked potatoes. For those culinary exercises, you should use potatoes that are fluffy, such as Russets.
Dry your own tomatoes. Cut Romas tomatoes in lengthwise halves, or slice ripe regular tomatoes into half inch slices for drying. Place on a cooling rack, cut-side up and lightly salt them. Place the cooling rack on a cookie sheet and dry in a 190 degree oven for up to 10 hours. They can then be stored in plastic freezer bags in your freezer. Another option is to place the tomatoes in a jar and cover them with fresh herbs and olive oil. When refrigerated, they will last a minimum of two weeks.
If you are making a salad ahead of time, put some thought into how you layer its ingredients. Your juicy ingredients should be at the bottom while your leafy items should be placed on top.
Read nutrition labels when you buy foods. A lot of ingredients that are common to cook with have hidden, unhealthy ingredients. Some things to check for include high levels of sugar or sodium, as both are common contributors to many health problems.
Take the time to educate yourself about ingredients that you are not familiar with. Do some research, and you might be surprised at how versatile the new food is. You can have much more fun when cooking if you do some prep work and research ahead of time.
It is important for every cook to have their cooking supplies organized. If you are disorganized, you won’t know where to find the cheese grater or the spatula when you need them. Put all the things that are the same in one place. For instance, keep your spices in a cabinet, your baking goods in another, and cooking utensils together in a drawer.
Growing into an exquisite home cook is now in your future. Don’t be afraid to indulge your adventurous side by experimenting with some exotic recipes. There is no limit to the kinds of foods you can come up with, there are so many food varieties from all over the world.