Cooking on a daily basis can become mundane very quickly. Make things more interesting by acquiring new skills. Cooking is not only the way to get your nourishment; it can also be a fun experience that shows you something new every time you go about it. You can get off to a great start by taking a look at the cooking tips below.
Your spices and herbs should always be stored in a cool and dark place. Common kitchen conditions, such as heat, light, and humidity, will destroy the flavor of herbs and spices. Usually herbs and ground spices tend to stay fresh for about a year. Spices in their whole form can be stored for between 3 to 5 years. When stored in the correct place, they will keep their freshness for longer.
When this happens, it’s still possible to salvage it. Combine 2 tbsp. of water with 1 tbsp. of corn starch in a bowl. Add this mixture to the sauce while it simmers in order to thicken it up. Remember to stir your sauce constantly while adding the cornstarch mixture, to avoid it getting too thick.
Partially chill meat so it becomes easier to slice into thin strips. The thin sliced meat is great in many dishes including many Chinese and Thai meals. When the meat is partially frozen, the cuts will be much cleaner as the fibers in the meat are less likely to stretch. Having said that, you must be certain to let the meat strips thaw out prior to cooking them to ensure even cooking.
Longer cooking times and techniques, like boiling, destroys healthful nutrients in veggies. To preserve their vitamins and minerals, cook vegetables quickly by steaming them or frying them. They can also be enjoyed raw.
Fresh foods are always a better choice than frozen or dried ones regardless of what type of food you are cooking. Fresh ingredients can really enhance the flavor of your meal, as well as be more economical to prepare.
Grilling is not an exact science, but you may have encountered some confusion the last time you hit the barbecue. It is always wise to utilize a good meat thermometer (a digital one is best to give you an exact reading) to ensure that the inner portions are cooked correctly. If the meat is thicker than an inch and a half, it may be a good idea to close the lid of the grill to cut down on total grill time.
Burgers will often stick to a grill. Once they are stuck it can be very difficult to get them off of the grill and have them still maintain their shape. To prevent this in the future, brush a bit of vegetable oil onto the grates before adding the food.
All sugars, flours, and mixes should be stored in airtight containers. These containers do two things to keep your food fresher: they keep bugs from entering them, and they keep air exposure to a minimum. They can be bought in lots of places, and it is an investment worth making.
Now that you have the knowledge you need, it’s time for you to practice what you have learned! Cooking is an exciting and tasty way to learn about food. As you figure out what you love cooking, you might even learn more about yourself. As you get more and more into cooking, you will have more and more fun as well as your meals will be delicious.