Cooking is one skill that you can always improve. There are always new methods, tips, and techniques that can improve a recipe, expand a chef’s repertoire, and increase the pleasure of time spent in the kitchen. New cooks also need to learn the little tips that make cooking easier. Read on for some tips that can help you improve your cooking adventures.
Give pie and tart crust a little longer baking time than you normally would for the best results. They should be golden caramel in color instead of pale blonde. That deeper color shows that the sugar has caramelized. This creates a crisp crust, which is also sweeter.
Make sure you are using sharp knives to prepare your food. Dull knives are more dangerous to use and they are less productive as well. Forcing dull knives through foods can result in personal injury, whereas a sharp knife will quickly and easily cut right through.
Don’t overcook your vegetables. They will lose a lot of food value and won’t taste good. To keep the nutrients in tact, consider steaming or sauteing your food, or even serving them raw.
Popular French fried potato recipes suggest soaking the potatoes in water for 30 minutes before cooking them. Doing this increases the strength of the fiber in the potatoes, which means that they don’t break down as quickly during the deep frying phase.
Mushrooms will soak up a large amount of water. Instead, you want to wet a clean cloth and use that to wipe the mushroom off.
You should think big when preparing chicken stock. If you make a large amount of stock you can freeze it for future use. A rich chicken stock makes a savory base for soups, stews and other dishes. Allow your stock to cool, then put portions in heavy-duty Ziploc bags made for freezing.
Using less fats, like extra virgin oil or butter, when you cook will help you to lose weight and keep your heart healthy. Lots of unnecessary, and unhealthy, fats sneak into meals made with oils and butter. To achieve the same results as oil without the unhealthy fat, try using a nonstick spray.
When you are purchasing ingredients to make something read your labels. Cooking staples can be full of not-so-nice things that can spoil your health. Look for hidden amounts of sodium and sugar that will contribute over time to reduced health.
Do not use any kind of wine in your cooking that you haven’t tasted on your own. You risk the final flavor of any dish if you make it with an unfamiliar wine or one with an off taste. There are wines available that are used just for cooking purposes.
If you purchase unripened fruits, place them in a perforated plastic bag. Some fruits, like apples, produce ethylene gas as they ripen. With holes fitted in the bag, the gas is allowed to escape. The air will circulate, and the gas will not harm the fruit’s natural taste.
Clean cooking utensils are an absolute necessity when you start any cooking project. Bits of food on your utensils could contaminate the dish you are cooking. Another concern is the potential cost to your health, as you could possibly be exposed to bacteria.
Stay organized in the kitchen to avoid easy mistakes, like overcooking or burning your food. A well-organized cooking area is conducive to great results. You can lose track of your things and waste your food and money if you’re unorganized.
Always follow the directions on the box when making a simple mac and cheese. The macaroni will be perfect and delicious because the great looking cheese is melted on top of the noodles. Use a solid spoon to serve your macaroni and cheese. Use some black pepper as the spice on your mac and cheese.
No cook can boast they know every secret there is to cooking. There is always something new to learn or find out. Read up on the subject of cooking so you can get as much as you can out of your learning experience in the kitchen. Try out the tips you’ve just read and see if you can’t make your kitchen endeavors a little more enjoyable and a little more rewarding.