How many times have you dreaded going into the kitchen to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner? You might need a new perspective. Cooking can be enjoyable and relaxing if you try to see it in another way. Here are a few cooking tips that are sure to get your taste buds tingling and entice your inner chef to come out.
Try going to a library or buying a cook book if you are wanting to cook different foods. Pick a few simple, interesting recipes and work up to more elaborate dishes as your skills increase.
Bake pie crusts a little longer than you would think they should be baked. The color should be a darker caramel instead of the pale blond so many people do. The golden color is a sign that the sugars in the crust have finally caramelized.
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 give more flavor to what you are cooking.
If you want to slice meat into thin strips, freeze it partially before bringing it to the cutting board. Asian inspired dishes such as Chinese and Thai will particularly benefit from this technique. Freezing the meat prior to slicing immobilizes the fibers and makes for cleaner, more efficient slices. After slicing the meat, allow it to completely thaw to ensure that it cooks evenly.
When seasoning meats, try a little piece before cooking the entire thing. Dishes like meatballs, meatloaf and hamburgers need to be seasoned carefully. Never prepare the entire amount immediately after seasoning it. Try cooking a small patty first. You can then cook the entire piece, or change the seasoning as needed.
If you want to reduce the amount of calories and fat in a mashed potato dish, substitute cauliflower for some of the potatoes. The bland cauliflower taste will make it so that you do not notice much difference in the taste, while accentuating the taste of some of the other ingredients. Cauliflower also matches the color and texture of the potatoes. This is a great way to add veggies and eliminate calories from a favorite dish.
Fresh Ingredients
To give your food vitality, prepare meals using fresh ingredients instead of frozen or dried ingredients whenever possible. Fresh ingredients will give your dish extra flavor, and can turn out to be less expensive over time.
When you do this, the mushroom will become absorbent and soak up the water. Get a wet cloth instead, and wipe off each mushroom by hand.
It can be difficult to figure out how long you need to keep meat on the grill. A good quality, digital, meat thermometer is a good investment for your kitchen as it can tell you precisely the internal temperature of the meat, and this will let you know when it is cooked to perfection. If you are cooking meat thicker than 1.5 inches, close the lid of the grill to help it cook more quickly.
Chicken Stock
When you make chicken stock make as much as you can. Instead of making just what you need, make a huge pot so you have some to freeze and use later. Many great recipes including soups, casseroles and stews call for a base of chicken stock. Freeze premeasured amounts of your stock in freezer proof containers or bags when cool.
Disperse spices and seasoning to your favorite food in small, equal increments over time. This way, you’re giving the food most of the flavoring and are making the best from your ingredients.
You should try and dry your tomatoes on your own. Cut Romas tomatoes in lengthwise halves, or slice ripe regular tomatoes into half inch slices for drying. Put the sliced tomatoes onto a cooling rack, and lightly salt the cut-side. Heat your oven to 190 degrees and place the tomatoes inside for as long as ten hours. Keep the tomatoes fresh by storing them in freezer bags. Dried tomatoes may also be stored in a jar containing fresh herbs and olive oil. Put your canned tomatoes in the fridge and be sure to use them in the next two weeks.
Unripened fruits should be placed into a plastic bag with holes in it. When fruits go through the ripening process, they release ethylene gas. When air is allowed to reach the fruit, the gas will not escape, thereby maintaining its flavor and freshness for a longer period of time.
Use these tips when you are cooking your meals. Once you eat some of your meals, you will know you did the right thing. Consequently, you may wind up craving it and, eventually, you might enjoy experimenting with a variety of recipes and foods. Don’t be afraid to try your hand at cooking.
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