When you want to learn to cook, you have to find a starting point. The fact is that even professional chefs had to start somewhere. Once you start feeling more confident in your abilities, try recipes that are more complex and include unfamiliar ingredients. There are very vital things you must know in order to cook well. Learn the basics before you start trying to cook full meals.
TIP! Apples don’t have to be just for fall or winter cooking. With proper storage they can last for months.
A cool, dark storage area will preserve your herbs freshness for the longest period of time. Their flavors are weakened significantly by things like heat, light and humidity. Ground spices, when stored correctly, can retain flavor for up to a year. Whole spices last longer, possibly as long as five years. If spices are stored properly there is a better chance that they will stay fresher for a longer period of time
If you are preparing stir-fry, be sure to slice the meat on the bias and very thin. It can be difficult to slice the meat, and it takes some time. When you remove the meat from the freezer, it should be firm, not frozen. Slice across the meat’s grain while holding the knife at a 45-degree angle.
TIP! They will act like a sponge and just soak up a lot of that water. Wipe off each mushroom with a clean wet cloth to prepare them for cooking.
Sharp knives will make cooking so much more efficient. Blunt knives are frustrating to use and they can also be very hazardous. When you use a dull knife, you often have to force the blade through whatever you are cutting. Using a sharp knife is much easier and safer.
Did you ever feel bad for throwing old, moldy fruit away? Is it possible to save at least a portion by getting rid of only the bad part? Never try to salvage fruit that is past its prime. Mold goes a lot deeper than you see and it can make you ill.
Mashed Potatoes
It is possible to lower the fat and calorie content of mashed potatoes without impacting the taste or texture by replacing some of the potato content with cauliflower. Cauliflower blends perfectly with your potatoes without changing the taste of your mashed potatoes. You’ll still be able to enjoy mashed potatoes, but with less fat and calories!
TIP! If you want to lose weight or adopt a healthier diet, use less oil when cooking. Butter and oils have fat that you do not need! A great alternative to oils is a nonstick cooking spray.
Are you planning to use freshly picked basil in a recipe? Take some fresh basil and put some of it in a glass. Make sure the the stems are completely covered with water. You can keep basil fresh for weeks on top of your kitchen counter this way. Change the water once in awhile, and before long roots will even form on the basil. Trim your plant on occasion and you will encourage future growth. This means you will have fresh basil in your kitchen for a long time to come!
Try to add some broths or other ingredients to recipes that call for liquid in place of what it asks for. If the recipe calls for water, switch it up by using a broth, juice, or cooking liquids. Substitute sour cream, buttermilk or even yogurt in place of regular milk. You can increase the nutritional and wow factors of any dish, simply by trying different substitutions for liquids that recipes call for.
TIP! If you use skewers for any of your dishes, be sure to soak skewers made of wood in water for a minimum of a half hour before using them. Using this method, you will not burn them when you’re cooking.
Never cook with wine you haven’t tried. Using cheap or unfamiliar wine puts the flavor of your food in danger. You can find wines that are made primarily to cook with.
Many vegetable and herbs give off a smell that tends to remain in your chopping board, even though you scrub it over and over again. Put a waterproof mark on the end of the cutting board so you’ll know which side to use.
TIP! To cook a whole pumpkin, cut an upright pumpkin in half vertically. Put each half with the cut side facing down on their own baking sheet.
Every six months to one year, replace spices that have grown dull. Spices lose their flavor if kept too long. If you have spices that you don’t intend to use any time soon, give it as a gift to someone who will use it.
Keep close watch when baking to avoid under cooking or overcooking a cake. While the recipe or directions are a good starting point in cooking times, they may need adjustment. Factors like what kind of oven is used and elevation play a part in what the optimal cooking time will be. A better way is to test the cake by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. The cake is ready if the toothpick comes out clean; if not, let the cake bake some more.
TIP! Try different liquids in recipes calling for water or milk to add some new flavors to your meals. Substitute plain water with juice, broth, or the water that you cooked your vegetables in.
If you have a good recipe, the ability to follow directions and fresh ingredients, you can make a delicious meal. This isn’t rocket science, after all. Follow the advice from this article, and there will be nothing that can stop you.
KITCHENAID Pro 600 DELUXE 6qt 575 Watt Bowl L...
$365.00
New KitchenAid KP26M1XBS PRO 600 Stand Mixer ...
$359.99
KitchenAid Stainless Steel White 5-quart Pro ...
$360.00
New KitchenAid PRO 500 Stand Mixer 5-Quart Li...
$259.99
New KitchenAid PRO 500 Stand Mixer 5-Quart Li...
$259.99
New KitchenAid 5-Qt KSM500Q2ER Heavy Duty Pro...
$274.99
When you want to learn to cook, you have to find a starting point. The fact is that even professional chefs had to start somewhere. Once you start feeling more confident in your abilities, try recipes that are more complex and include unfamiliar ingredients. There are very vital things you must know in order to cook well. Learn the basics before you start trying to cook full meals.
A cool, dark storage area will preserve your herbs freshness for the longest period of time. Their flavors are weakened significantly by things like heat, light and humidity. Ground spices, when stored correctly, can retain flavor for up to a year. Whole spices last longer, possibly as long as five years. If spices are stored properly there is a better chance that they will stay fresher for a longer period of time
If you are preparing stir-fry, be sure to slice the meat on the bias and very thin. It can be difficult to slice the meat, and it takes some time. When you remove the meat from the freezer, it should be firm, not frozen. Slice across the meat’s grain while holding the knife at a 45-degree angle.
Sharp knives will make cooking so much more efficient. Blunt knives are frustrating to use and they can also be very hazardous. When you use a dull knife, you often have to force the blade through whatever you are cutting. Using a sharp knife is much easier and safer.
Did you ever feel bad for throwing old, moldy fruit away? Is it possible to save at least a portion by getting rid of only the bad part? Never try to salvage fruit that is past its prime. Mold goes a lot deeper than you see and it can make you ill.
Mashed Potatoes
It is possible to lower the fat and calorie content of mashed potatoes without impacting the taste or texture by replacing some of the potato content with cauliflower. Cauliflower blends perfectly with your potatoes without changing the taste of your mashed potatoes. You’ll still be able to enjoy mashed potatoes, but with less fat and calories!
Are you planning to use freshly picked basil in a recipe? Take some fresh basil and put some of it in a glass. Make sure the the stems are completely covered with water. You can keep basil fresh for weeks on top of your kitchen counter this way. Change the water once in awhile, and before long roots will even form on the basil. Trim your plant on occasion and you will encourage future growth. This means you will have fresh basil in your kitchen for a long time to come!
Try to add some broths or other ingredients to recipes that call for liquid in place of what it asks for. If the recipe calls for water, switch it up by using a broth, juice, or cooking liquids. Substitute sour cream, buttermilk or even yogurt in place of regular milk. You can increase the nutritional and wow factors of any dish, simply by trying different substitutions for liquids that recipes call for.
Never cook with wine you haven’t tried. Using cheap or unfamiliar wine puts the flavor of your food in danger. You can find wines that are made primarily to cook with.
Many vegetable and herbs give off a smell that tends to remain in your chopping board, even though you scrub it over and over again. Put a waterproof mark on the end of the cutting board so you’ll know which side to use.
Every six months to one year, replace spices that have grown dull. Spices lose their flavor if kept too long. If you have spices that you don’t intend to use any time soon, give it as a gift to someone who will use it.
Keep close watch when baking to avoid under cooking or overcooking a cake. While the recipe or directions are a good starting point in cooking times, they may need adjustment. Factors like what kind of oven is used and elevation play a part in what the optimal cooking time will be. A better way is to test the cake by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. The cake is ready if the toothpick comes out clean; if not, let the cake bake some more.
If you have a good recipe, the ability to follow directions and fresh ingredients, you can make a delicious meal. This isn’t rocket science, after all. Follow the advice from this article, and there will be nothing that can stop you.