Cooking is something that you can never really master; there’s always more to learn. Even the most experienced cooks are always looking for new things to try out. New cooks should know the little tricks that make cooking easy. You will make mistakes and that’s the best way to learn.
Follow the instructions on the packaging to the letter anytime you prepare macaroni and cheese. The macaroni will be perfection if you choose to cook it in this manner. After the cheese has melted on the noodles, you will be able to enjoy macaroni that is divine. A regular serving spoon is a perfectly good way to serve your macaroni and cheese. Add some extra flavor with pepper.
Add chicken broth to vegetables when you cook them. Chicken broth is a great way to add flavor to your vegetables while keeping them from sticking to your pan. Broth can be found at nearly any grocery store, and is very inexpensive.
It is important to cook your meat properly, so always have a meat thermometer on hand. Every meat type has a different recommended temperature in order to be safe for eating. Bacteria thrive on meats, and unless the meat is properly and thoroughly cooked, these bacteria can remain and cause you sickness if consumed.
Are you planning to use freshly picked basil in a recipe? Store the basil in a jar. Next, fill the glass so that the stems are fully submerged. This will allow it to stay fresh for weeks! By changing the water every so often, your basil will develop roots. Picking the leaves from time to time will cause the basil to put out new growth, so you will have a constant supply!
Try baking rather than using the microwave when you want to reheat a dish that contains oil. Microwave radiation heats oil faster than the rest of the leftovers, which means the oil starts separating from all other ingredients involved. Baking will heat the dish evenly, causing it to keep all of its flavor.
Try not to under or over cook your cake. The recommended cooking times can give beginner bakers a general idea of how long to bake the cake, but these guidelines can be inaccurate because elevation and other factors have to be taken into account when determining how long to leave the cake in the oven. A better idea is to insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. The cake is ready if the toothpick comes out clean; if not, let the cake bake some more.
When making a meal that needs milk or water, try a different substitute to make the dish taste different. For example, you might try chicken broth or beef broth instead of water in a meat dish. You might even try fruit juice when cooking certain veggies. Instead of milk, try sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk. A simple switch like changing a liquid in a recipe can improve the nutritional quality while giving the dish a whole new spin in taste.
You feel the need to wow your guests by cooking something fancy, though if it is a recipe that you have never tried before, now is not the right time. The night you meet your in-laws is not the time to experiment, and the way to impress a date or your boss is to serve something you know they’ll enjoy. Find out what kind of food they like and prepare something you are comfortable with.
Cooks with experience can learn new things about making the time they spend in the kitchen more fun and simple. It is important to learn as much as possible when you are a new cook. You should try doing these tips to improve your cooking and you will see how much more enjoyable it is spending the day in the kitchen.