There are people who see cooking as nothing more than a chore. Yet, cooking can be an enjoyable activity. It is a great way to lead a healthier lifestyle, by improving your diet. The best cooks are those who are always willing to learn new techniques. Furthering your knowledge also makes the cooking experience far more pleasurable; use the following tips to help you grow as a cook.
TIP! Bake pie and tart crusts for a longer time than you think is really necessary. They need to be a golden caramel color rather than pale blonde.
Keep herbs and spices in a location that is cool and dark. 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. Whole spices may keep their flavors, possibly, three years or longer. They’ll remain fresh longer if stored properly.
Bake pie crusts a little longer than you would think they should be baked. They should be a light golden brown instead of pale in color. When you see the golden color it indicates carmelization, which lends a crisp, sweet flavor to the pie crust.
TIP! Do not keep your herbs or spices in a place that is not cool and dark. When they are stored in the sun, they lose shelf life because of exposure.
To make a delicious beef stir-fry, slice your meat thinly and across the grain. Very often this is difficult to master and takes a lot of time. Once the meat has become more firm, you should slice against the grain at 45 degrees.
Keep all spices stored out of the sunlight. Storing them out exposes them to light, excessive heat and humidity, which can reduce their shelf life. To keep your spices spicy and fresh, store them in an area that is cool and dark. Keeping your spices fresh can improve the taste of every recipe you prepare.
TIP! To reduce the calories and fat of mashed potatoes, and to avoid sacrificing taste or texture, replace some potatoes with the same amount of cauliflower. Since cauliflower is bland, it will mix right in with the potatoes along with the other ingredients.
If you are cooking with oil, do not pour it directly into the middle of the pan. Instead, pour it on the side of the pan, so it will heat before it reaches the food. The already heated oil will do a much better job at cooking and flavoring your food.
To make slicing thin strips easier, you need to freeze the meat slightly first. This method is especially useful when preparing Chinese or Thai entrees. Partially frozen meat is easier to slice as the cold temperature prevents the meat fibers from stretching and tearing. Having said that, you must be certain to let the meat strips thaw out prior to cooking them to ensure even cooking.
TIP! By doing any prep work the day before a big meal, you can make the actual cooking process faster and less stressful. Look at your recipe and decide which steps you can do in advance without worry of food spoilage.
Many apples are purchased for cooking in winter and fall, but they will rot in a short period of time if they are not properly stored. To avoid rotting, store apples in open-mesh bags or baskets in a cool basement or in the produce drawer of your refrigerator. If one of the apples in a bag begins spoiling, the rest will soon follow.
This type of seasoning is commonly used on other foods besides meat. Put in on pumpkin seeds or in scrambled eggs to add a new flavor. The interesting flavor will leave everyone wondering what the secret ingredient it.
TIP! If you are watching your weight and trying to eat healthy, it is essential to reduce the amount of oil you use when you cook. There is a lot of unnecessary fat in butter and oil.
If your burgers tend to stick to your grill, it might be hard to cook them while preserving their shape. To prevent your burgers from sticking, brush the grill with oil prior to cooking.
Chicken Stock
TIP! Saute vegetables with chicken broth to cook them in a healthy way. The chicken broth will add a dimension of flavor, and let you cut down on how much oil you use.
A useful tip when making chicken stock is to think big! If you cook a big pot of stock, you can freeze it for later. You can use that delicious chicken stock in stews, casseroles, and soups. Let your stock come to room temperature before you freeze it.
In conclusion, a great cook is constantly learning. Joy that comes from cooking comes not just from preparing a meal, but also from learning about various foods, and acquiring new cooking skills and techniques. Cooking is also about sharing your knowledge with others. Cooking should be shared so it can delight others.
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There are people who see cooking as nothing more than a chore. Yet, cooking can be an enjoyable activity. It is a great way to lead a healthier lifestyle, by improving your diet. The best cooks are those who are always willing to learn new techniques. Furthering your knowledge also makes the cooking experience far more pleasurable; use the following tips to help you grow as a cook.
Keep herbs and spices in a location that is cool and dark. 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. Whole spices may keep their flavors, possibly, three years or longer. They’ll remain fresh longer if stored properly.
Bake pie crusts a little longer than you would think they should be baked. They should be a light golden brown instead of pale in color. When you see the golden color it indicates carmelization, which lends a crisp, sweet flavor to the pie crust.
To make a delicious beef stir-fry, slice your meat thinly and across the grain. Very often this is difficult to master and takes a lot of time. Once the meat has become more firm, you should slice against the grain at 45 degrees.
Keep all spices stored out of the sunlight. Storing them out exposes them to light, excessive heat and humidity, which can reduce their shelf life. To keep your spices spicy and fresh, store them in an area that is cool and dark. Keeping your spices fresh can improve the taste of every recipe you prepare.
If you are cooking with oil, do not pour it directly into the middle of the pan. Instead, pour it on the side of the pan, so it will heat before it reaches the food. The already heated oil will do a much better job at cooking and flavoring your food.
To make slicing thin strips easier, you need to freeze the meat slightly first. This method is especially useful when preparing Chinese or Thai entrees. Partially frozen meat is easier to slice as the cold temperature prevents the meat fibers from stretching and tearing. Having said that, you must be certain to let the meat strips thaw out prior to cooking them to ensure even cooking.
Many apples are purchased for cooking in winter and fall, but they will rot in a short period of time if they are not properly stored. To avoid rotting, store apples in open-mesh bags or baskets in a cool basement or in the produce drawer of your refrigerator. If one of the apples in a bag begins spoiling, the rest will soon follow.
This type of seasoning is commonly used on other foods besides meat. Put in on pumpkin seeds or in scrambled eggs to add a new flavor. The interesting flavor will leave everyone wondering what the secret ingredient it.
If your burgers tend to stick to your grill, it might be hard to cook them while preserving their shape. To prevent your burgers from sticking, brush the grill with oil prior to cooking.
Chicken Stock
A useful tip when making chicken stock is to think big! If you cook a big pot of stock, you can freeze it for later. You can use that delicious chicken stock in stews, casseroles, and soups. Let your stock come to room temperature before you freeze it.
In conclusion, a great cook is constantly learning. Joy that comes from cooking comes not just from preparing a meal, but also from learning about various foods, and acquiring new cooking skills and techniques. Cooking is also about sharing your knowledge with others. Cooking should be shared so it can delight others.