Some people don’t like to cook and see it as nothing but a chore. That said, cooking can be fun, as well. Good cooking can also improve health. In order to be a good cook, you should continue to learn. The following article will help you learn some things you may not have known about cooking.
Store your spices and herbs in a cool and dark spot when you decide where to keep them. Light, heat, and humidity will cause their flavor to weaken. When stored correctly, your spices can stay spicy for up to a year. Whole spices can keep their flavor for up to five years. When stored properly, they will stay fresher longer.
For a delicious take on pie crusts, bake them for longer than the recipe calls for. They need to be a golden caramel color rather than pale blonde. When you see the golden color it indicates carmelization, which lends a crisp, sweet flavor to the pie crust.
Quickly cooking vegetables makes them crispier and more nutrient-filled. If you slow cook vegetables they will lose nutritional value and taste. These cooking techniques make the vegetables more healthy overall. Adapting the principle of faster cooking times is a crucial element in serving better quality vegetables to your family and friends.
It is possible to do a lot of preparation beforehand in order to speed up the cooking process and make it easier. Check recipes to find out what can be prepared ahead of time without risking spoilage. A lot of the preliminary work can be done a day before you cook the meal. This takes a lot of the stress out of even the most complicated recipes and dishes.
Garlic is just one of many tasty ingredients whose flavor has a downside; it transfers to your hands. Rub your hands thoroughly on the interior of a stainless steel sink after working with garlic or other odoriferous cooking ingredients. Not only will your hands smell better, but the next food you touch won’t have a garlicky smell.
It is sometimes difficult to determine when your foods are thoroughly cooked on a grill. A reliable meat thermometer can help you ensure that the meat is properly cooked on the inside. For the most accurate readings, invest in a digital thermometer. If you have thick meat, more than a inch and a half, close the grill to make cooking time shorter.
If you are looking for a nutritionally beneficial way to cook your vegetables, try sauteing them in a small amount of chicken broth. The broths adds some additional flavor, and reduces or eliminates the need to use cooking oil to prepare them. This is an easy, delicious way to prepare veggies for you meal.
In order for herbs and spices to remain fresh and flavorful, they need to be kept in an area that is cool and dim. Storing spices and herbs in cabinets above the stove or in other warmer locations will result in a loss of flavor and a loss of money.
After a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving or any other occasion, do not discard the leftovers. Instead, cut the turkey into smaller pieces, store it in a container that’s airtight, and freeze it. Cooked turkey that has been frozen can be enjoyed for weeks by defrosting and using for soups, salads and sandwiches.
When using fresh herbs in your meal, including dill and parsley, place the herbs together in bunches, and cut them with scissors. This is preferable to chopping the herbs because they will be less moisture laden, making them lighter and fluffier.
In conclusion, a great cook is constantly learning. The best part about cooking is not simply meal preparation, but learning about all the kinds of foods, ingredients and techniques. Sharing your cooking skills with others is also part of being a good cook. Cooking is not just a skill to learn, but a gift that is meant to be shared with others.