There are people who see cooking as nothing more than a chore. Actually, cooking can be really enjoyable. It can also become your gateway to a healthier life. Great cooks are always looking for new ideas, which is what the following article will provide you with.
If you want to infuse a bit of flavor into your food as you are cooking it, substitute beef or chicken stock for water. If you don’t have stock on hand, go ahead and use the water, but add a bouillon cube or two. Doing this gives your food all the moisture that it needs, but kicks the taste up a notch.
It is important to take proper care of wood cutting boards. Excess moisture, heat and dryness may cause a wooden chopping board to split and warp. Don’t submerge the board in the sink when you clean it. Instead, use warm, soapy water and a sponge. To restore a damaged board, oil it on a regular basis, using a product specifically designed for wood cutting boards. Before using it again, make sure the oil is completely dry.
Before preparing any sort of dish, you must ensure that your utensils are clean. If old, leftover food is stuck on your cooking utensils, it could ruin the meal you are making. This can cost you a lot because it might cause bacteria to spread.
Try making your own dried tomatoes. Slice tomatoes 1/2″ thick to dry. Romas should be cut in two lengthwise. Lay your tomato slices across a cooling rack with the cut-side facing up, and salt them lightly. Heat your oven to 190 degrees and place the tomatoes inside for as long as ten hours. Put the bags of tomatoes in your freezer. Dried tomatoes may also be stored in a jar containing fresh herbs and olive oil. This jar should be used within 2 weeks and kept refrigerated.
Before attempting to prepare food with skewers, take a few things to heart. If you are choosing to use a metal skewer you can choose from round or flattened skewers. Skewers that are not round will better hold food in place on the skewer.
You should buy your fish and meat that are bone-in. Raw or cooked bones can be frozen and stored in durable Ziploc bags.
Creativity in the kitchen can be exciting. You do not have to follow a recipe word for word. You can add a little something, or replace an ingredient you don’t like. It may end up tasting better than the original! That’s the true indication of a skilled chef!
If a recipe calls for milk or water, try some other flavorful liquid to enhance the flavor of your dish. If the recipe calls for water, switch it up by using a broth, juice, or cooking liquids. Sour cream, buttermilk and yogurt make good milk substitutes. Using a variety of liquids can add a bit of zest to a favorite recipe and even make it more nutritious.
Use a fat-free broth if you want to make a fat-free soup or stew. Take advantage of the vast array of colorful, tasty vegetables and lean meats to keep fat content low. Once it is complete, cool the soup in the refrigerator before eating it. This will cause the fat to congeal and rise to the top. Afterwards, simply scoop off this congealed fat. For every teaspoon of fat that you remove, you will be taking 100 calories out of the soup.
In summary, a top-notch cook is always adding to their knowledge. Joy that comes from cooking comes not just from preparing a meal, but also from learning about various foods, and acquiring new cooking skills and techniques. Cooking is also about sharing your knowledge with others. The ability to cook well is a skill, but it is also a treasure that is meant for sharing.