There are some things you must know in order to cook well. This article will give you information about how to cook like a pro. Use these tips to gain a better understanding of how to get started on developing your cooking skills.
Good cutting utensils are imperative to own for maximizing functionality in the kitchen. Sharp knives will save you time, and are actually safer to use than dull ones. Many cuts and accidents are caused by dull utensils.
Always measure your oil when you are cooking. To cook with less fat, measure specific amounts of oil instead of pouring oil into the pan straight from the bottle. Doing this will make you aware of exactly how much cooking oil you’re using.
A quick way to change up a favorite dish is to experiment with new spices and sauces. If you find some new spices to use it can change the taste of your food dramatically. One easy trick for finding new spices/sauces is to go to foreign grocery stores.
Airtight Containers
Use airtight containers for storing flour, sugar, and baking mixes in the kitchen. Bugs can creep into your food, and most food items will become stale if exposed to the open air. These are just a couple of solid reasons that you need solid containment. Airtight containers are your best friends in the kitchen. You can find these containers in a variety of sizes online or at local stores. Regardless of where you purchase them, using these containers is a choice you are unlikely to regret.
Save time and stress with night-before preparation of ingredients whenever possible. The more ingredients that you can have ready ahead of time, the better. Chop up your veggies, assemble your lasagna or make your sauce, there are so many things you can do to reduce the amount of time your meal will take.
If you and your kids are getting bored with the same old bag of frozen sweet corn every night, mix it up. Mix your corn with coconut flakes for Thai-inspired flavor that everyone will love.
Bouillon Cubes
Using beef or chicken stock in a variety of recipes will add flavor to the meal. Adding bouillon cubes is another simple option that can be used with the recommended amount of water. Bouillon cubes will provide an added level of moisture and flavor to your dish.
Long cooking processes, like boiling, can “zap” nutrients from foods, like vegetables. To retain these nutrients, rely on cooking methods that don’t take a lot of time, including steaming or sauteing. You can even eat them raw if you have the taste for it.
Ladle out some of the extra fat in your soup. If you’re making a stew or a soup that contains too much fat, let the dish cool down all the way so that the fat rises to the top. Place the ice cube on the spoon and lightly rub it across the top. The ice will cause the fat to collect on it. Another option is to absorb the fat off the surface of the soup with a paper towel.
Once your dish is finished, break out the spices. Pepper, cayenne, salt, and garlic are yummy additional seasonings you can add. Be careful though, as people can have very different tastes with regards to spice. Instead of including these spices during the cooking process, make them available afterwards so people can customize their meal. This will make it so everyone can have it their way.
If your meals include fresh herbs like dill or parsley, clump them together and use kitchen shears to cut them. The herbs will be lighter and fluffier this way, and will not be as wet as they would be if you chopped them.
If you are just starting out with cooking, consider doing your research at your local library. There are plenty of cookbooks with simple recipes available. Create at your own pace and allow for patience as you get the trick of cooking down.
Partially chill meat so it becomes easier to slice into thin strips. This procedure can be particular helpful when you are preparing Asian dishes. The tissues of partially-frozen meat do not tear and stretch as much; this makes cleaner slices possible. To keep your meat cooking evenly, make sure you let the slices thaw completely before you cook them.
Using less fats, like extra virgin oil or butter, when you cook will help you to lose weight and keep your heart healthy. Most of the time, the oils you cook with have high amounts of unnecessary and unhealthy fats. This is also true of butter. A great alternative to oils is a nonstick cooking spray. Not only does it provide the same results as cooking with oils, it also contains less unhealthy ingredients.
There are much better ways to heat tortillas. Turn the oven to 350 and place the tortilla straight onto the oven rack, then leave until it is at your desired warmth. You can also crisp your tortilla on the gas burner of your stove-top. Just turn the flame on low and place the tortilla on the burner above the flame. Watch it carefully! It only takes a moment! Any of these methods will reward you with tastier, fresher tortillas.
If you should decide to experiment with spices, include saffron in your investigation. Saffron has a distinctive, slightly bitter taste that you can’t get from any other spice. Saffron is a great ancient spice that is still quite delightful. It is incredibly expensive due to its popularity.
Finish Cooking
It is easy to keep your cooked pancakes and waffles warm while you finish cooking the batch. You need to preheat a 300 degree oven. Once you finish cooking the food, put it on a plate, and then place it in the oven so that it retains its warmth.
As previously mentioned, all good cooks have a few secret tips and tricks up their sleeves. As with any other skill, it will come naturally for some people, while others will need more practice and advice. By carefully applying the knowledge you’ve gained from this article, you’ll be cooking like a pro in no time.