Cooking is something that you can never really master; there’s always more to learn. Even the most experienced cook can better their abilities through learning new techniques. There are some great tips that new cooks can learn to make cooking easier. Check out the following paragraphs to increase your cooking knowledge.
Make sure to keep your spices and herbs sealed in airtight containers, protected in a dark, cool place. The flavor of herbs and spices will be diminished if they are subjected to humidity, heat, or light. Spices and herbs that are ground usually retain their flavor for close to a year. Spices that are not ground can keep their flavors for 3 to 5 years. Spices that are stored correctly remain fresher for longer.
Partially freeze meat to make slicing into thin strips easier. This technique is suited for meats used in many Asian dishes. When you slightly freeze the meat, the fibers don’t extend as easily, and therefore slicing is much cleaner. However, be sure to allow the meat strips to thaw before cooking them, for even cooking.
Make sure you are using sharp knives to prepare your food. Only the dull-witted use dull knives, as they are both ineffective and dangerous. You could easily cut yourself if you are trying to cut something up with a dull knife.
Mushrooms will absorb the water like a sponge. Instead, you want to wet a clean cloth and use that to wipe the mushroom off.
Garlic can add a tremendous amount of flavor to your food. However, when you are cutting and chopping fresh garlic, it can also leave its odor on your hands. Rub your hands thoroughly on the interior of a stainless steel sink after working with garlic or other odoriferous cooking ingredients. This will clean your hands, while preventing any odors from being transferred to the next food item you touch.
If your burgers seem to be sticking to the surface of your grill, it may be hard to take them off without breaking them. To prevent this, brush the grill with a bit of vegetable oil to keep your foods from sticking.
Chicken Stock
When you are making chicken stock, think big. Instead of making a single serving, make a whole stock pot and save the leftovers so you can freeze them. There are a variety of recipes that call for chicken stock, so having it on hand is always a good idea. After the liquid has cooled you can store it in heavy-duty freezer bags.
To saute vegetables, use chicken broth in place of oil or butter. The chicken broth adds to the taste of the veggies and, you will not have the extra fat. This is a delicious and healthy way to easily cook vegetables.
Prepare some of your food the night before to save time and headaches. Chop your onions, slice your vegetables, make the sauce or marinate your meat before bed. You will be more relaxed and better prepared to cook the following day.
Even an experienced cook could stand to pick up a few handy culinary skills to improve upon their signature dishes. It is important that you have access to detailed information when you wish to try something new. Try these tips and see if you have a new love of cooking.
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