Food is necessary for survival. But plain “survival” foods can lead to boredom in the kitchen. Believe it or not, cooking a meal is even more satisfying than eating it. Below is some valuable information that you can use to become the culinary expert you want to be.
Spices should be stored in a dark and cool place. If they get exposed to any light, humidity or heat, their flavor will begin to weaken. A lot of the time, you can expect an herb or a space to retain flavor for about a year. Spices that are kept whole can keep their flavor for about three, four or five years. Store your spices correctly to make them last.
Preparation is one of the most important things that you will have to do before you cook a meal for your friends or family. Gather all the ingredients beforehand. Plan your meal a day in advance to make sure you have everything you need. This will allow you to cook without having to worry.
Always keep your spices away from light in a cool place. Putting them in a warm, lighted area can reduce their useful life, due to light and heat exposure. Store spices in a dark, cool location to keep them flavorful and fresher for longer. Keeping your spices fresh can improve the taste of every recipe you prepare.
Try to add the oil into your pans from the sides, so that by the time it touches the food, it will be hot. This will make your food more flavorful when it is ready to serve.
When trying a new seasoning for your meat, season one small piece and sample prior to cooking the entire batch of meat. Foods like meatballs, hamburger and even meatloaf may require careful seasoning. You should not cook the whole dish after it has been seasoned. Rather, cook a small portion first. Once you have tried your sample you can correct the seasoning or proceed with the cooking.
Keep your kitchen knives sharp. Dull knives don’t get the job done, but in addition, are actually dangerous. A cut is more likely when you push down hard on a dull knife that when you cut easily with a sharp one.
You can boil away all of the health benefits of many vegetables. Allow your vegetables to keep their nutritional benefits by cooking them quickly, or eating them raw!
Do you find yourself throwing away molded fruits a lot? Do you think it’s a good policy to cut off any moldy, rotten parts and save the rest of the fruit? It’s a shame, but partially rotten fruit can’t be saved without being unhealthy. It must be discarded because mold spores that you cannot see may be present on other areas of the fruit. If eaten, you could become ill.
Apples are used a great deal to cook in the winter and fall months, however it is important to store them properly to prevent spoiling. Air that is dry and warm tends to make apples rot, and you can slow down this process by loosely placing them in plastic bags that are tied shut. Store them in a cool area, such as a refrigerator, garage or basement. However, you will still need to keep a watchful eye on your apples. Even properly stored apples can spoil. They’re a fickle fruit.
When roasting a joint of meat, make sure you leave it boned if you are struggling for time. The meat cooks faster this way due to the fact that the bone carries the heat right to the interior of the roasting pan. It is easy enough to cut the meat off the bone once the roast is cooked.
Any time you are faced with a large amount of leftover turkey, don’t be tempted to throw it in the garbage. Cut it up, put it in an airtight container, store it in the freezer and use it later. The turkey will remain fresh this way for a couple weeks, and you can use it for sandwiches and salads.
You should let your meat rest prior to serving. It is a little known fact that foods should rest for a short period after the cooking process. This is especially true of meats. You may think it is best to serve your meat right off the grill so it is piping hot. However, your meal could be much more enjoyable if you wait. Therefore, it is always best to allow the juices to redistribute by allowing for a cool down period.
Preparing a meal can be as rewarding as sitting down and eating one. These fabulous tips will broaden your cooking knowledge and help you tap into your creativity as you cook. You will become a better cook, and this will get noticed by friends and family alike.
