Cooking is one skill that you can always improve. Even a cook with lots of experience can always learn something new in the kitchen to improve their skills and make it more fun. People new to cooking also benefit from learning the things that help tasks go faster and foods cook better. This article is full of tips you will find helpful in getting you started as a cook.
Try putting a little ketchup in the batter when you are frying foods. You can dip chicken into ketchup prior to dipping it into breadcrumbs. This will enhance the moisture and flavor of your chicken. Ketchup will add a spice and dynamic to foods that you never thought about before.
Potatoes should be mixed with hot milk (not boiling) when they are ready for mashing. Using hot milk, instead of cold milk, will make the potatoes much fluffier and less dense. Would anyone prefer boring mashed potatoes lacking in smooth texture?
Always use spoons and spatulas that are designed for the nonstick cookware that you’re cooking with. Metal or wooden utensils could scratch the nonstick coat and cause flakes to fall from the pans. The damaged coating will allow cooking food to stick to the pan, and it will also leach toxins into your food.
When baking a cake, be sure not to over or under cook it. Even though recipes have guidelines for recommended baking times, they can vary due to differences in ovens or elevation. Instead, take a toothpick and insert it into the middle of the cake. The cake will be done when the toothpick comes out without any batter attached; if it doesn’t, bake it longer.
Spices and herbs should be kept in a dark place that is cool and dry. Your spices can become less spicy if you expose them to humidity, heat, or light. These areas are not good because the spices will get exposed to flavor losing elements.
If you should decide to experiment with spices, include saffron in your investigation. Saffron is in a class of its own, with the ability to make dishes bright and flavorful. Saffron is a traditional herb that you should explore. It is actually a really expensive spice, the most expensive as it is the world’s most sought after flavor.
If you are first embarking on a quest to prepare more of your own food, head to the nearest library or bookstore and find a cookbook with simple, basic recipes that you will enjoy preparing. Experiment with several recipes, and give yourself the time in perfecting your cooking skills.
When you slice fresh fruit, it can turn brown if exposed to the air. Examples of such fruits are pears, avocados, bananas, apples and peaches. You can stop the browning by brushing them with lemon or salt water but pineapple juice is recommended because it will not adversely affect the taste. Do not soak the fruit completely.
While engaged in cooking, get in the habit of cleaning dishes as you finish using them. Make sure that one side of the sink always has soapy hot water in it and the other side has clear water for rinsing in it. This will prevent you from mixing clean dishes with dirty ones. This is the best method to clean up quickly after cooking.
Even cooks who have experience are still learning new tips so they are able to have a better day in the kitchen. Inexperienced cooks need to soak up all the information that is out there so they can become better cooks. Use these tips to see if you can better your cooking skills and enjoy cooking in the kitchen more.