Is cooking for the entire family beginning to drive you crazy? Do not get frustrated when cooking. Get inspired. Let me get you some helpful advice that can make cooking meals less stressful and more enjoyable.
I’ve had this happen to myself before. I find that I was so focused on other things that I’m just making the same dish over and over again. And I’m bored of it. But I have no one to blame but myself.
And usually, it’s not healthy cooking. So let’s elevate the style of your cooking.
That’s when I know I have to get reconnected back to what I enjoy. Making healthy meals that help me achieve my goals while providing a fulfilling meal for my family.
Get Inspired
A great starting point when looking to expand your cooking repertoire is your local library or bookstore. Look for cookbooks which contain basic and simple recipes for you to practice and have fun preparing. Try some recipes and be patient as you develop your skills.
There’s also a lot of online classes available now. It’s all the fun of going to a course while being able to hang out at home. Plus, you can back it up and rewatch if you spaced out or got interrupted.
Ideas
There are also a lot of blogs out there depending upon what you’re interested in. And there’s always Pinterest.
Cooking Techniques
Overdo it a little when you bake a pie crust. The crust should have a nice golden color to be fully cooked. The darker color results when the sugar from the crust has started to caramelize and will have a much sweeter and crisper flavor.
When stir-frying meat, it should be thinly sliced on the bias. It can be a tedious, lengthy process. Retrieve the meat after it has firmed a bit, and cut thin slices across the grain, holding your knife at a 45-degree angle to the cutting board.
Here is a way to save your sauce and use it in your recipes. Combine two tablespoons filled with water and one tablespoon filled with cornstarch in a small dish. Add this mix to the sauce little by little until it becomes thicker. The mixture should be added slowly and constantly stirred so that it doesn’t get too thick.
When seasoning meats, try a little piece before cooking the entire thing. It is important not to over-season foods such as hamburger, meatballs and other meat-based dishes. Don’t cook the whole thing after seasoning it. First, make a little patty out of it and cook that first. Once you like the way this piece comes out, you can cook the rest.
It’s vital that you always use sharp knives when cooking. Make sure your knife is not dull when you are cutting something, this is very dangerous. It is very easy to accidentally cut yourself when you’re struggling to cut something with a knife that is dull.
One way to make mashed potatoes retain their taste but contain a little less fat and calories is to replace some of them with equal amounts of cauliflower. You will not even taste the cauliflower in with the potatoes, because it is so bland. Cauliflower also matches the color and texture of the potatoes. This is a great way to add veggies and eliminate calories from a favorite dish.
Cook your vegetables quickly to retain quality and nutrients. Vegetables that are cooked slowly lose a lot of their taste and nutrition. These quick cooking techniques will produce generally, healthier vegetable sides. So in summary, cook your vegetables for the shortest amount of time possible.
Fresh ingredients are much better to use in all of your cooking than those that are frozen or dried. Fresh ingredients can really enhance the flavor of your meal, as well as be more economical to prepare.
And a few more ideas
Much like a sponge, the mushrooms will absorb the water. A better option is to use a clean, damp cloth to hand-wipe each mushroom.
Cook your vegetables in chicken broth. It will keep veggies from getting stuck to the bottom of the pan and add a little flavor. Chicken broth is dirt cheap, and can be bought at any supermarket.
Take the time and steps necessary to accurately measure any oil used for cooking. This will help you reduce how much fat is present in your cooking. By carefully doling out the oil, you will know the true amount of fat you getting when you cook.
A good cook will have their utensils and ingredients well organized. If they aren’t organized, you will waste valuable time getting everything together at the last minute. Consider storing similar things together. For instance, keep your spices in a cabinet, your baking goods in another, and cooking utensils together in a drawer.
Get your cooking utensils squeaky clean before starting a new dish. If your utensils still have food in them, it can ruin what you are trying to cook. This can allow harmful bacteria to spread.
Make homemade stock to create tastier dishes. Store extra stock in bags in the freezer that are resealable. You will have stock on hand for soup and other things. Making the stock yourself will allow you to know that you are using a stock that is not loaded with preservatives. An electric pressure cooker will make this a snap.
Digital pressure cookers are also a great way to make a meal that seems like you’ve been cooking all day. But you get a pot roast in ninety minutes rather than five hours.
Making meals for your family can become a tall order. There are many things that you may do to simplify your cooking process. When you go back into your kitchen, you can relax.
And find the right tools to make your cooking easier so you are enjoying when you are cooking and yet you’re still able to go out and do something fun. And I don’t mean laundry.