Do you love to eat different foods? Do you have a sweet tooth? Is there a regional or cultural dish that drives you wild? Have you ever wished you could cook exotic dishes? Time to wonder no more, it’s cooking time! You’ll be well on your way to doing your own delectable cooking if you make use of the following tips.
When you cook, wash dishes as you go along. Have full sinks of wash and rinse water at the ready. Just after use is the best time to wash up bowls and utensils. So clean as you go and you will always be ready with your next part of food preparation.
If you plan to use wooden skewers when cooking, soak them in water for about thirty minutes prior to use. If you do not do this, your food may cook faster than you want, causing it to burn. Also, use two skewers through your food to help secure it, so it doesn’t end up on the ground.
Baking mixes, flour and sugar should all be stored in airtight packaging. Keeping your food in sealed containers will keep them fresher longer as the air can’t reach them. A variety of plastic containers, bags and decorative canisters will protect your food.
For those that enjoy cooking fish, they need to try catching them for themselves when they have time. If you catch your own fish, you will experience the great taste of fresh fish and you will also feel the joy in providing for your own.
Crispier fries come from potatoes that have been left to soak in ice cold water for about 30 minutes. Soaking the potatoes helps to make the fibers within them stronger, which makes them better able to handle the heat during frying.
Instead of chopping them on a cutting board, a better way to cut herbs is to hold them in a bunch and cut them with sharp scissors. This works especially well for dill and parsley. This will keep the herbs drier and lighter than chopped with a knife.
Cool, dark and dry places are ideal for keeping herbs and spices. When exposed to light and heat, spices will lose their sharpness and flavor. Ground herbs and spices can retain full flavor for about a year. Whole spices can keep their flavor for up to five years. Proper storage can extend their shelf life even longer.
Get only the freshest garlic from the grocery store when you’re preparing a recipe that calls for it. Fresh garlic tastes much sweeter than does garlic that is not fresh. Stale, or old, garlic may be bruised, shriveled or soft.
Reserve some pasta water for use in your pasta sauce. Take about a quarter cup of the water and set aside. Before adding the sauce to the pasta, mix in the cooking water. Starch in pasta water has a thickening effect on your sauce, making it seem creamier.
Incorporate different colors into the the dishes you make. You will increase the visual appeal of your dishes and vary the beneficial nutrients found in different colored foods. Pick nice looking garnishes as well; try tomatoes, cilantro, carrots, or parsley. Have fun with colorful food, and the food you serve will eaten right up.
If you consider these suggestions, you will be a bit closer to making meals that you can enjoy. Unleash your adventurous side and start experimenting with exotic flavors and spices today. You might even discover a new food that turns out to be your favorite! Follow the tips presented above, and with the help of your taste buds you can discover your inner chef.