A lot of people think cooking involves a life of drudgery spent chained to the stove, and they try to avoid it as much as possible. The following article will offer suggestions on how you can do that.
If you are baking crusts for a pie or tart, you will probably need to bake them for a while longer than you thought. Let the crust go beyond light tan to a deeper, golden shade. The crust changes to the caramel color only after the sugar has had time to caramelize. This will give the crust the sweet flavor you want.
Preparation is key when cooking for family or friends. Take an inventory to be sure that everything that you will need is available. Get all of the items you need prepared the day before so there will be no rushing. Doing so allows you to focus on the cooking itself.
Your spices should be stored in a place that is cool and dark. If the spices become too hot, or moist from humidity, it can shorten their shelf life. Too much light exposure also does this. Keep spices fresh by storing them away from light and humidity. Make sure that your spices are fresh to add taste and flavor to any meal.
If you want crispier and crunchier French fries, then soak the potatoes in a bowl of cold water for a period of at least half an hour before use. The potatoes need to soak because the fibers will be reinforced through the cold fluids which in turn makes them fry better. They can handle the heat and not break apart completely.
Cooking veggies improves the quality of them. Vegetables that are slowly and thoroughly cooked, are less tasty and nutritious than vegetables that are cooked briefly. Vegetables cooked in these ways make healthier side dishes and ingredients in recipes. Learning to cook them for the minimum necessary time is the key to better vegetables.
When you store some ingredients, like flour, baking mixes, and sugar, use airtight containers. Bugs can creep into your food, and most food items will become stale if exposed to the open air. These are just a couple of solid reasons that you need solid containment. Airtight containers are your best friends in the kitchen. Airtight containers are available practically everywhere and are well worth their cost.
When simmering or boiling vegetables, try adding chicken broth. Using chicken broth will prevent the vegetables from sticking in the pan as well as add some tasty flavor at the same time. Broth can be found at nearly any grocery store, and is very inexpensive.
Rather than using water or milk in a specific recipe, try a different liquid to add a new flavor. Broth is a great substitute for water, and milk adds delicious flavor and extra nutrition to soups and stews. Instead of milk, try sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk. Using different liquids can add nutritional value, while at the same time punching up bland, old recipes.
As you’ve read in the text above, it’s easy to transform what you once thought of as a chore into something rewarding and entertaining. Using the advice in this article will enable you to add a creative flair to an activity that is commonly seen as drudgery.
