
It is easier to become a great chef than you may think. While cooking, it is perfectly okay to experiment and find your strengths. This information will allow you to become a better cook and give you new things a try. Use this information to enhance your cooking abilities quickly and efficiently.
Do all the prep work ahead of time. This will simplify matters when you are cooking your meals. Trying to prepare a meal without handling the preparation beforehand can get stressful, especially if you need to finish your cooking in a set amount of time. If all of the prep work is completed well before the actual cooking begins, this will help alleviate some stress later.
When not in use, put your spices in an area that receives the lowest amount of light and heat. Putting them in a warm, lighted area can reduce their useful life, due to light and heat exposure. Always keep your spices in a dark and cool location to extend their longevity. Keeping your spices fresh can improve the taste of every recipe you prepare.
Corn Starch
Here’s a trick you can use to save your sauce fast! Combine 2 tbsp. of water with 1 tbsp. of corn starch in a bowl. Thicken your sauce by stirring the mixture into the simmering liquid. Keep stirring your sauce and add the corn starch little by little.
Making a meal for someone important, such as a romantic partner or a boss, is not the time to experiment with new dishes. Avoid cooking with new ingredients or a new recipe that you have never used before. Avert a stressful experience and enjoy the occasion.
People mainly use plenty of apples in cooking during the winter and fall months, but if not stored properly they quickly go bad. Apples will rot if they are stored in warm, dry air, so make sure to keep them in plastic bags in a cool place. Make sure to inspect your apples regularly, as one rotten apple means that the others are soon to follow.
You can use it on other types of food besides meat. You can add it to scrambled eggs or make a tasty snack by sprinkling a bit on some roasted pumpkin seeds. It will add a little bit of mysterious flavor to your meal.
Fresh Ingredients
No matter what you are cooking, fresh ingredients are always much better than dried or frozen ingredients. Use fresh ingredients as often as you can; they offer more flavor and tend to be less expensive as well.
If you are on a diet, try cutting down the amount of oil you use in your food. These oils are often loaded with unhealthy fats. A god nonstick spray is a wonderful substitute for the oils and fats that you are using.
Freezing helps ensure fresh fruit throughout the year. This is also advantageous for those seasonal fruits that you can only find during certain growing seasons.
Twice a year, you should buy all new spices. Many times, spices are kept for too long, and they lose their flavor. If you purchase spices that you know are not used often in your home, give some to a family member or friend.
Use your creativity as much as you can. You do not have to follow a recipe to the “T”. A recipe can be greatly improved upon if you add a little of this, or take away a little of that. Sometimes that’s the best sort of cooking!
Dull Knives
High quality cutlery and knives are worth the expense. Nobody wants to use dull knives, as they can take over twice the time to chop up ingredients, and they are more dangerous than sharp ones. Dull knives cause more accidents than sharp ones.
Utilize these tips to improve your cooking skills. A good rule of thumb is to try each of these tips once. Even if you do not enjoy the results, you are still practicing and acquiring new skills. In a few days, you’ll be a better chef if you are serious about using these tips.