Do you love all sorts of food? Can you never get enough sweets, and find yourself craving them? Do you enjoy certain ethnic foods? Perhaps you have wondered if it’s possible to learn the skills to prepare these dishes in your kitchen. Get out of dreamland and get into the kitchen! You’ll be well on your way to doing your own delectable cooking if you make use of the following tips.
When you shelve an herb or a spice, make sure it’s dark and cool. Humidity, heat, and light all affect the flavor of your spices. Ground spices, when stored correctly, can retain flavor for up to a year. Spices which are kept whole can retain their flavor for between three and five years. If the spices are stored properly, they will stay fresh for a longer period.
When not in use, put your spices in an area that receives the lowest amount of light and heat. Storing them out exposes them to light, excessive heat and humidity, which can reduce their shelf life. You can preserve the flavor and freshness of your spices by storing them in a dark, cool spot. Meals prepared with fresher spices are simply more delicious.
A good tip when using cooking oil is to put some on the sides of the pan while cooking. This way, it will already be hot when it gets near the food. The already heated oil will do a much better job at cooking and flavoring your food.
If you find yourself with leftover homemade sauce, freeze the leftovers in ice cube trays. You will then have it readily available for when you need to make a quick and easy meal. All that needs to be done is to warm it up in a pan. Not to worry, it freezes well and is perfectly edible when stored this way.
When you are making chicken stock, think big. Make a giant pot and store what you don’t use in your freezer. There’s nothing better than homemade chicken stock as a flavorful base for casseroles, stews and soups. Allow your stock to cool, then put portions in heavy-duty Ziploc bags made for freezing.
Beans or tofu are excellent sources of protein that you may not have yet considered adding to your diet. Both of these protein-rich foods are available at most grocery stores. Pan fried tofu, lightly sprinkled with your favorite seasonings, is a delicious substitute to meat. Likewise, beans cooked with herbs can also be a flavorful dish.
Be sure to read nutrition labels when purchasing ingredients. A lot of cooking supplies contain ingredients that could be unhealthy. Check the levels of sodium and sugar, because severe health problems can arise when too much of these are consumed.
What you want to do when cooking pumpkins is to first stand it upright, then slice it in half right down the middle. Put each half with the cut side facing down on their own baking sheet. Sprinkle a little water on to your baking sheets, then you can bake your pumpkins for an hour in a 350 degree oven.
If you are cooking a meal where seasoning gets added, don’t add it all at the beginning, add a little every couple of minutes instead. This results in a better blending of the flavors of the ingredients.
By taking these hints on board, you’ll be that much closer to creating delicious and tasty meals that everyone will enjoy! Be bold; experiment with new flavors and spices. Experimenting with new food will increase your palette and perhaps lead to finding a new favorite dish. Take these tips, bring along your taste buds and travel to the kitchen to discover your inner chef!
