Most people see view cooking as a chore. Cooking can, however, be an enjoyably pastime. It can also lead to healthier living. The best cooks are always expanding their knowledge and skill set, and this article is going provide you with some advice which could help you to improve your own cooking.
Use beef or chicken stock in place of water to give almost everything from soup to mashed potatoes some extra flavor. Use the water required as a guideline, then compliment it with cubes of bouillon. This will ensure that the food you cook is as flavorful and moist as it can possibly be.
Try to fix up your pie crust! You might have cracks in your crust because you’ve overworked the dough. Sprinkle cold water on the cracks and spread the dough. If the top crust of your pie has cracks, brush a thin layer of milk on the entire thing, and sprinkle some sugar on it. The crust will then have a wonderful glaze that will keep the cracks hidden after it’s done baking.
When prepping a salad for a potluck or for serving later in the day, layer it wisely. You should place the ingredients that are the juiciest, like the tomatoes, at the bottom of the bowl, and then place the lettuce and remaining ingredients that are likely to wilt or get soggy on the top.
Preparing dark, leafy greens can be a hassle, but it’s worth it as they are incredibly healthy. Separating the stems can try anyone’s patience. A simple way around it is to lengthwise fold the green in half and try to break the stem at the middle. You could also cut the stem from the folded leaf using a knife. This technique is a simple was to remove the stems from your leafy greens!
Add hot milk to your mashed potatoes instead of boiling it to create a rich, smooth texture. As opposed to cold milk, hot milk will help make your mashed potatoes lighter and fluffier. Nobody wants to eat lumpy, bland mashed potatoes.
Pay attention to the cooking oil amounts when preparing meals! This will help you lower the fat in your foods while cooking. This will give you the ability to know exactly how much oil is going into the pan at a time.
One of the best tips that you can follow when you are using oil is to add it to the sides of your pan upon cooking so when it gets to the food, it is already heated. Your finished dishes will be enhanced and more flavorful if you do this.
A nutritious way to reduce the calories from your mashed potatoes is to replace some of the potatoes with cauliflower. Cauliflower does not have a strong taste and will be virtually undetectable when mixed with the potatoes and other ingredients. Cauliflower has the same texture and color as potatoes, offering you a perfect way to add another vegetable to your dish while cutting calories.
Try to use things that are colorful when you are cooking. Colorful additions to your meals will add both nutrition and visual appeal. Work color into your garnishes by choosing parsley, carrot curls, cilantro, and raw cherry tomatoes. Be creative with color, and people will eat the food in no time.
As was stated at the beginning of the article, good cooks never stop learning. One of the most enjoyable aspects of cooking is learning about the various techniques and interesting ingredients involved in creating meals. It is also important to teach others what you know. Cooking is a skill that is helpful to show others.