Just like there are many ways to skin a cat, there are many ways to cook a good meal. These range from simple to complicated. This article will provide you with easy and efficient tips which will help you to become a better chef with a broad knowledge of techniques.
If you have a recipe that requires water or milk, you can change out the liquids to create a whole new flavor. When you cook vegetables you can use chicken broth or add beef instead of water. Some great replacements for milk are sour cream, yogurt and buttermilk. Mixing up the base of your sauces and soups is a great way to liven up old recipes.
Do you tend to have minor catastrophes with pie crust? Simple repairs can be made to hide flaws in the crust. If you have kneeded your dough too much, it can get cracks in it. Spread cold water on the cracks before rubbing the dough. If your cracks are located towards the top of your pie, use some milk and sugar. When your pie is done baking, the top crust will have an appetizing golden glaze that will conceal any minor imperfections.
When you are cooking, a good habit to get into is to wash the dishes as soon as you are done with them. Keep soapy water on one side of the sink and use the other side to rinse your dishes. Since the easiest time to clean bowls and other implements is right after you have finished with them, you will save yourself a lot of time and effort since you won’t have to scrub them so much.
Whenever you are spicing up your meat, consider starting off with a small portion before you cook the whole piece. Particularly meats such as ground beef will need to be seasoned carefully. You should not cook the whole dish after it has been seasoned. Cook a small piece of it first. After you do this you can either completely cook it or add more seasoning as you see fit.
If you know that you are going to be having a busy day, get some of the ingredients ready for dinner a head of time. If you chop your vegetables or put together a casserole before hand, you will be saving yourself a lot of time and effort and still make a great meal.
A great way to spice up foods is to cook with new sauces and herbs. Tastes can be drastically altered by simply adding some new spices or using other sauces for marinating. You can easily find exotic spices and sauces at your local ethnic store.
Airtight Containers
When storing sugar, baking mixes, or flour in your kitchen, use containers that are airtight. These airtight containers can keep your food fresher for a longer period of time, as well as protecting your food safe from insects and pests. Airtight containers are available practically everywhere and are well worth their cost.
If you are trying to eat smarter to lose weight, it is vital to use less oil when you cook. Most oils, and butters, too, contain a very high fat content, and this fat is neither necessary or always the good kind. Try using nonstick cooking spray instead: this product does not contain anything unhealthy and works just like oil.
It has a wide variety of cooking uses, even outside the combination with meat. You can use it when you roast pumpkin or sunflower seeds or in any number of egg dishes. Everyone at the table will be asking for your recipe!
While leafy, dark greens are quite nutritious, it can be inconvenient to prepare them. The tough stems just don’t want to come off. To make it easier try folding it in half and then break the stem. Or slice the folded side to remove the stem. Your green is expertly relieved of its stem when you unfold the leaf again.
Pungent foods such as garlic, onions, and fish can leave an offensive odor on your hands. You can effectively remove this scent by rubbing your hands on a stainless steel object before you wash them. Rub your hands on a spoon, or on the sink for instance. Wash your hands with soap afterward.
Take a look at the nutrition facts when you buy ingredients to cook with. Though they seem innocent enough, many of the components of everyday cooking items can be loaded with secret things that hinder your overall health. Make sure that an item does not contain too much salt or sugar. Both of those substances can damage the body and lead to serious health issues.
When you are grilling burgers, they sometimes lose their shape when they stick to your grill and become hard to remove. Try brushing a thin coating of vegetable oil on the grill or pan to keep food from sticking.
If you wish to have crispy French fries, then you should soak the potatoes in cool water for 30 minutes and then fry them. When potatoes are allowed to absorb cold water, the texture is able to withstand the extreme heat of cooking without breaking down and becoming mushy.
Even on simple dishes like mac and cheese, going letter by letter on the directions always gets you the best results. By following the instructions closely, you are far less likely to overcook your noodles. Mushy noodles make for an unappealing dish. A solid spoon should be used when serving the macaroni masterpiece. You can add more flavor to your dish with pepper, a spoonful of mustard, or additional cheese.
If you love fish and you have time, catch your own fresh fish for your next meal. Not only does this make for a tasty meal, but it is a great way to be self sufficient.
Potentially great meals can be ruined by complicating the recipe or method of cooking. Keeping things simple is always a winner taste wise. Heed the advice given here to create better meals with a finer understanding of the principles involved.