To be a great chef, there are some things you need to know. In this article, you will be given some cooking advice and secrets that can greatly improve your culinary talents! Implement the following tips so that you understand what it is you need to do.
You should only buy meat and fish that are still on the bone. Freeze bones in an air tight container until needed.
If you are making stir-fry meals, you should slice the meat as thin as possible and cut it on the bias. It is possible that you may have a little trouble doing so in a time efficient manner. Take out the meat before it is frozen, but very firm, and cut into it at an angle of 45 degrees perpendicular to the grain.
Do not keep your herbs or spices in a place that is not cool and dark. Exposing spices to heat, humidity, and light will shorten their lifespan. When a spice is placed in a cool area with very little light, its life is extended and it will taste better. Fresh spices can greatly enhance your meals, making this effort well worth your time.
Buy a cooling rack that is able to be stacked. If you don’t have one of these, a few batches of your favorite cookies might take up your entire counter. Therefore, stackable cooling racks allow you to capitalize on your limited counter space. Making use of the vertical space allows your cookies to cool but still give you enough space to continue working.
Do you enjoy the flavor of fresh basil? Place a fresh bunch of basil in a jar or glass. Then cover the stems of the basil with water. You can put it on the kitchen counter and keep it for weeks. The basil will grow roots if you occasionally change the water. Periodically prune the fresh basil; this will stimulate the plant to continue growing for a week or so.
When cooking with oil, add it not to the bottom but to the pan’s sides. This will allow the oil to heat up as it works its way down to the center. Doing so will maximize the flavors of the food you are cooking by keeping them inside the food.
To add interest to to the normal dishes you prepare, add a new sauce or a new spice. By adding new sauces and spices to your dish it can result in a completely different and wonderful tasting meal. Shop at ethnic food stores in your local area to find new spices, seasonings and sauces.
If you want to serve a complicated meal, eliminate much of the stress by completing some tasks the day before. There are a lot of things you can do ahead of time like chopping vegetables, measuring seasonings and gathering all the utensils you will need. Also verify that you aren’t missing any ingredients. You will only have to get everything put together when it’s time for you to cook.
Hold off on using too many spices until your meal is served. Choose from a variety of spices, including garlic powder, salt, cayenne, and pepper. Taste in spice is as varied as the people tasting them. Instead of including these spices during the cooking process, make them available afterwards so people can customize their meal. This way, everyone can adjust the flavor of their meals as they please.
It does take some learning to become a great chef, but it’s well worth the effort. As with any other skill, it will come naturally for some people, while others will need more practice and advice. This article should provide you with the information necessary to become a better cook.