Have you ever wondered how the chef prepared your meals at your favorite restaurant? Maybe you’ve already tried to repeat the dish in your own kitchen. Use the tips in this article to create your favorite meals at home and make new ones for any occasion. You’ll love the results you taste after using these tips, and you will have found a new hobby to enjoy too!
Try lowering the amount of oil you cook with if you are trying to lose weight and eat healthier. 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.
Try setting the oven timer, along with your watch’s timer. By having a watch set up to beep when food is done, you do not have to worry about under or overcooking your foods.
When cut and exposured to the air, many fruits will turn brown. Apples, bananas, pears and avocados are good examples of fruits that brown after being cut. If you sprinkle some lemon juice or salt water on them it might slow down the process, but dipping the fresh fruit in pineapple juice is a tastier alternative. A small amount of juice is all that you need to keep your fruit looking fresh.
Use ketchup in batters for fried foods. Dip the food in ketchup immediately before covering it in seasonings and bread crumbs. By using ketchup as a base for your fried foods you will add another unexpected layer and tang to your food.
When you are making chicken stock, think in terms of high volume. If you make a large pot of stock, you can freeze it and store it for future use. That tasty chicken stock is very versatile and can be perfect for your next stew, casserole or soup. Once your stock is finished, cool it and put it in heavy freezer bags.
When you make boxed mac and cheese, closely follow the directions. The macaroni turns out perfect this way and is to die for once the nice velvety cheese is melted over the noodles. A solid-faced spoon should be used to serve macaroni and cheese. A little bit of pepper can add surprising dimension to this simple dish.
Prepare things the day before if you cannot handle doing everything in one night. For example, you can chop any vegetables and herbs you will need and store them in the refrigerator, as well as marinating whatever meat you will be preparing the next evening. By completing a few basic steps the day before, you can save yourself time and energy when it is time to prepare your meal after a long, hard day of work.
When it’s time to mash the potatoes for that good ole home-cooked taste, try using hot milk. As opposed to cold milk, hot milk will help make your mashed potatoes lighter and fluffier. Nobody really wants lumps in their mashed potatoes!
If you want to add flavor to your dishes, use a liquid other than milk or water. If the recipe calls for water, switch it up by using a broth, juice, or cooking liquids. You can try out buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream instead of milk. Changing up the liquids in your recipes can add nutrition, while livening up a standby dish.
Including recipes from different cultures will expand your menu options. Experiment freely, imagine wildly, and make bold attempts at using new recipes and new ingredients. There is no limit to how creative you can be with your cooking, and there are so many options when you combine foods from many cultures.