Do you enjoy experimenting with new foods? Is your appetite for sweets never completely satisfied? Have you tried a lot of exotic dishes? Would you like to know how to cook exotic dishes at home? Simply start cooking and stop thinking about where to begin! Take some advice here to make those nutritious and tasty dishes.
Many liquids are interchangeable within a recipe; try replacing the water or milk with something new. Use chicken broth, beef stock or vegetable broth instead. Substitute sour cream, buttermilk or even yogurt in place of regular milk. Using different liquids can add nutritional value, while at the same time punching up bland, old recipes.
For a homemade soup that is very low in fat, use fat-free stock or broth as your base. Your soup should contain mostly vegetables and lean meats to keep it low-fat. Once it is complete, cool the soup in the refrigerator before eating it. The excess fat will float to the top and congeal. Simply discard the hardened fat and the soup is done. For every teaspoon of fat that you remove, you will be taking 100 calories out of the soup.
Brining is a great way to bring out the flavor of meats. Soak your poultry in the brine mixture for at least an hour prior to cooking to enhance the flavor.
Spices should be stored in an area with little light and low temperatures, like a pantry. The shelf life of spices is greatly reduced if they are exposed to heat, humidity, or light. Always keep your spices in a dark and cool location to extend their longevity. Keeping your spices fresh can improve the taste of every recipe you prepare.
Having sharp knives when you are cooking is very important. Dull knives make cutting difficult, but in addition, they are dangerous. The chance of accidentally cutting yourself while using a dull knife to cut steak is way higher than using a sharp knife to cut the same steak.
In order for herbs and spices to remain fresh and flavorful, they need to be kept in an area that is cool and dim. Cabinets located above stoves or other warm corners of your kitchen are bad places to store spices and herbs, as doing so will sacrifice both taste and eventually dollars.
The night before you cook, try to prepare as much as possible. You will save gas or electricity, and you will be able to focus on one thing at a time.
Greens are extremely healthy, especially the dark, leafy ones, but preparation can be difficult. Discarding the touch stems can be time consuming. To turn it into a simple chore, all you need to do is fold the leaf lengthwise, and simply break the stem from the middle. Particularly tough stems can be sliced out of the leaf with a knife. You will have a green with no trace of stem once you unfold the leaf.
For people who like to cook fish, try catching your own so you can have it for free. You can prepare the fish the same day you catch them or if necessary they can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
There are many fresh new ways to enjoy oysters. The most common way to eat oysters is to not cook them at all and sprinkle a bit of lemon juice on them, but there’s no need to stick to that formula. For example, put some shelled open oysters in a pan and coat them with a small amount of cream. Add a touch of Parmesan cheese and freshly grated pepper then broil it until it bubbles. Sauteing your oysters is another great idea. Dredge your oysters in a seasoned flour mixture, then fry them in some hot butter for a couple minutes until they become a warm golden brown. Bake the oysters while they are still in their shells. Use a casserole dish to bake the oysters. Then, dab a bit of butter along with some fresh breadcrumbs on top of each oyster. Set the oven to bake for 5 minutes at 425 degrees. When the juices and butter start bubbling, serve very hot along with a baguette that is toasted.
Enjoy the hardy greens that are typically only available during the winter months. Vegetables such as broccoli, kale or collards taste better after a first frost. You should cook with winter greens that have a bright, deep color. Limp and yellowing greens should be avoided. When preparing the greens it is important to wash them thoroughly as they can be covered in dirt. Put the greens into a bowl, cover them with cool water, shake them off, and then rinse them under running water until all traces of dirt have been removed.
If making stir-fry, meat must be cut on the bias and sliced thinly. This can get a little tricky and does tend to take up some time. Cut your meat as it is still a little frozen and cut it at a forty five degree angle, with the bias.
Make your corn more exciting by adding flavored butter to it. Set out butter to warm up to room temperature; you can also quickly soften it in the microwave. Then, give it some zing by adding spices, herbs or sauces. Give barbecue sauce a try, or mix in peppers, honey or lemon juice.
When your family says “not again” to a side dish of sweet corn, it’s time to add some variety. Your family will love the Thai flavor when you add coconut flakes to the corn kernels.
It is important to have great cutting utensils at your disposal in your kitchen. Dull knives waste time and can mash food instead of cleanly slicing. Sharp knives are safer to use, too. Dull blades are the cause of more accidents than sharp blades.
By following these tips, you will soon be able to make great meals at home. Have an adventurous spirit and include various spices and sauces in your meals. You could even discover a new favorite unexpectedly. The tips in this article can inspire you to be adventurous in the kitchen, releasing your inner chef!