You can always learn new things about cooking, even for your family. A few secrets can turn a simple dish into a great dinner your friends will remember. This article will give you some great tips for livening up your meals.
Do you feel bad for getting rid of fruits that are moldy? Is it alright to cut out the rotten part and save them? Unfortunately, there’s no safe way to save a piece of fruit that is partially rotting. Toss it in the trash; you may not be able to see all of the areas that are affected by the mold, and if you eat any of it, you can become very ill.
People mainly use plenty of apples in cooking during the winter and fall months, but if not stored properly they quickly go bad. Keep your apples in a cool and humid place and avoid dry hot areas. But remember that one bad apple really does spoil the bunch; check on them regularly.
By doing any prep work the day before a big meal, you can make the actual cooking process faster and less stressful. Examine recipes and identify which preparations can take place well in advance without risking spoilage. The majority of preparation can be done the day before the cooking begins. This is a great time saver, and can make that complex recipe into something that is quick and fun.
If you’ve made sauce, you should place any that is leftover in an ice tray and freeze it. This makes it easier for you to make a quick meal which you can reheat at a later time. Sauce cubes made this way are safe and will taste great!
Add some chicken broth to your pan when cooking vegetables. Not only will chicken broth help to keep vegetables from getting stuck to the pan, but they will add some nice flavors to the dish. There is not a lot of expense when buying chicken broth, and most grocers carry it.
Do not use any kind of wine in your cooking that you haven’t tasted on your own. If you mix random wines into your food, you may find that the wine you have chosen spoils the dish. You could try wine that is specifically formulated for cooking purposes.
Store any spices you might use in a dark, cool place to help maintain their flavor and freshness. If you put them above the oven, or in another warm place, the spices and herbs will not retain their flavor.
Every cook needs some method for organizing his cooking supplies. If your kitchen supplies are not organized, this can cause confusion in the kitchen because you will be running around looking for the items. Keep certain similar tools in one area. Keep your herbs and spices together and follow this grouping rule with other supplies as well.
Leftover flavors and scents can remain on your cutting board, even after repeated washing. Use a permanent pen to make a mark so you know which side you are using.
When you are cooking, wash the dishes as you use them to reduce clean-up time later. If you have a two-bucket sink, put soapy water on one side and keep the other side for rinsing your dishes. Just after use is the best time to wash up bowls and utensils. So clean as you go and you will always be ready with your next part of food preparation.
Prior to cooking ground meat, blot it with a paper towel. Before cooking ground meat it is always important to blot away moisture. Any moisture left on the meat will be released when it’s cooked. The moisture will cook before your meat does. This can steam the meat, which will make it difficult to sear it.
Be creative in your cooking. You do not have to follow a recipe to the “T”. By adjusting the amounts of various ingredients, you can change the taste slightly, and improve upon the original recipe. Now that is a real cook!
Becoming a good cook is a lifelong learning process. This article provided an array of tips that will make cooking for yourself and others that much easier.
