Cooking is so easy, a caveman could do it. Are you able to purchase food and follow directions? Do you have the use of
basic cooking utensils and equipment? Then, you can cook! To elevate your culinary abilities to the next level, keep reading. You will find a handpicked selection of
cooking tips and tricks that are sure to please.
Make it a habit to cook with fresh seasonings and herbs whenever possible. Dried herbs, such as oregano and basil, are suitable for complex dishes with a lot of flavors. Keep in mind that the fresh ones are better and will have a fresher, stronger, and much better taste overall. Small herb gardens can be wonderful to make sure that fresh, natural herbs are always available.
Try mixing some flavors into your butter for a bit more complexity with familiar food items like corn and dinner rolls. Set out butter to warm up to room temperature; you can also quickly soften it in the microwave. Then, give it some zing by adding spices, herbs or sauces. Try BBQ, chipotles, lemon juice or honey.
Applying some salt on a cutting board when chopping fresh herbs is a good idea. Salt will not only add flavor to your herbs, but it will keep the herbs on the cutting board. To avoid serving a dish that is too salty, do not add extra salt to the meal you are preparing. The salt will stick to the herbs, adding some extra flavor to your dish.
In order for herbs and spices to remain fresh and flavorful, they need to be kept in an area that is cool and dim. You should never store herbs and spices above a stove or in any other warm location because that will cause them to lose their flavor, and of course you will be out the money.
Many veggies and herbs have a scent that remains on cutting boards even after they are washed. Mark the end of your cutting board with indelible ink to remember which side is which.
It's important to keep breakfast foods like waffles and pancakes heated until you are ready to serve them. First, warm your oven to about 300 degrees. While you are cooking, put what is already finished on an oven-safe plate, and stick them in oven to stay warm.
If you are going to be making chicken stock, it is best to go big or not at all. When you prepare stock, make a large amount, so it can be frozen for later use. There are a variety of recipes that call for chicken stock, so having it on hand is always a good idea. To store your homemade stock, let it cool, pour it into a freezer bag, and stick it in the freezer.
To ensure the freshest fish, go fishing and catch your own. When you catch fish on your own, it can provide a fresh meal and give you that feeling of gratification that comes along with providing for yourself.
Fix your pie crust! If you have handled your dough too much it may crack. Sprinkle cold water on the cracks and spread the dough. If the top of the crust cracks, brush some milk on it and sprinkle it with sugar. After it gets baked, the crust will be beautifully glazed and the cracks will be hidden.
Utilize other types of timers in separate sections of the house. Timers can be found anywhere, ranging from your watch to your phone, so you probably have one available, and you can always get a simple stopwatch to carry with you.
If you already know that the following day is going to filled with a busy schedule, get some of your meal preparations ready the previous evening. If you have a labor intensive meal planned, such as a stir-fry or lasagna, do a little of the preparation work beforehand to lessen the stress a little.
It is important to only use wine that you typically drink when you are cooking. Wine that you don't like or haven't tried can ruin the way you feel about the food. Look for wines that are specifically used for cooking.
If you use skewers for any of your dishes, be sure to soak skewers made of wood in water for a minimum of a half hour before using them. This will prevent them from burning while you are cooking. If you have issues with food falling off skewers, make it a double. Food is much more stable when you use two skewers parallel from one another instead of one.
Bake pie and tart crusts for a longer time than you think is really necessary. Your objective is to cook them past the point of being pale blonde, to the point where they become a golden caramel color. The darker color results when the sugar from the crust has started to caramelize and will have a much sweeter and crisper flavor.
If you are making a roast and you need to cook it quickly, do not take out the bone. The roast will get done sooner because the bone will direct the heat right to your roaster. After it is finished, simply avoid the bone as you cut the meat.
You can reduce the stress of preparing a large meal for family and friends by doing some of the work well before you begin cooking. Don't leave it all to the last minute, do some of the preparations in advance. Put together everything you'll need, chop veggies, marinade ingredients and get bowls and utensils ready.
Quality cutting utensils are a good investment for the kitchen. Sharp knives are less time consuming, easier, and safer to use. Dull blades are the cause of more accidents than sharp blades.
The art of cooking can be a hobby, an asset and even a source of income. The only limit to what you can make is your imagination, but you need to learn some of the principles of good cooking from the masters in order to make your perfect dish a reality. The next time it is your turn to shine in the kitchen, remember these tips!
