Perhaps you feel that being in your kitchen is a mundane experience. A hobby, such as cooking, will completely revolutionize this. Your kitchen turns into a fun place to be, where you can go to make a meal that everyone in your family can enjoy. Here’s some advice to give you some ideas.
TIP! You should know a few things before you cook anything on a skewer. Regarding metal skewers, square or twisted varieties are preferable to round ones, as the round ones do not hold food items as well as the other two types.
Cooking with skewers can provide very beneficial if you use them properly. If using skewers made of steel or metal, avoid ones with rounded surfaces and try ones with square or beveled designs.
Add oil to the pan on the side so when it reaches the food it is hot. Using this method can help you to boost the flavor of foods.
TIP! If you want to slice meat into thin strips, freeze it partially before bringing it to the cutting board. This is helpful for Asian dishes you may try that call for thin strips of meat.
First, freeze the meat partially. Then you can easily slice it into neat strips. This procedure can be particular helpful when you are preparing Asian dishes. The tissues of partially-frozen meat do not tear and stretch as much; this makes cleaner slices possible. Allow the meat to thaw prior to cooking though, so that it can cook evenly.
People tend to use a lot of apples for cooking in the fall and winter months, but if they are stored incorrectly they will quickly spoil. Apples rot in dry warm air, so store them in loosely tied plastic bags in the refrigerator or a cool basement. However, you will still need to keep a watchful eye on your apples. Even properly stored apples can spoil. They’re a fickle fruit.
TIP! 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.
Texture and taste don’t have to suffer when you are trying to lighten up your mashed potatoes. Cauliflower makes for a great substitute to help drop the fat and calorie content. The taste of cauliflower will blend nicely with the potatoes. When they’re mashed, cauliflowers have the same appearance and consistency as potatoes, too. Adding a little cauliflower can take calories out of your favorite mashed potato recipes and add in a little vegetable goodness, too.
Fresh Basil
TIP! Cook your vegetables quickly to retain quality and nutrients. Vegetables that are slowly and thoroughly cooked, are less tasty and nutritious than vegetables that are cooked briefly.
Would you like to cook with fresh basil? Gather a small bunch of freshly cut basil and place it in a glass. Next, ensure the stems are covered with water. Keep it on the kitchen counter and it will stay fresh for weeks. The basil may even start growing roots if you change out the water regularly. Cut or trim the basil occasionally to encourage additional growth and you can enjoy fresh basil for some time!
When preparing chicken stock, it is best to make a large batch. When you prepare stock, make a large amount, so it can be frozen for later use. Homemade chicken stock adds great flavor to everything from soups to casseroles. First, cool the stock and then stick it in the freezer.
TIP! The ideal way to cook a pumpkin is to first place the pumpkin upright on the cutting surface. Cut the pumpkin in half, then down the middle.
When you prepare a turkey for Thanksgiving or any other time, don’t ever toss the leftovers. Cut it up and freeze it in an airtight container. You can keep it fresh for several weeks, so that you can use the turkey in sandwiches or salads.
Plastic Bag
TIP! Not all fruit freezes well, but this way, you can prolong the freshness of certain fruits and enjoy them later. In addition it will give you access to fruits that aren’t always in season.
If you purchase unripened fruits, place them in a perforated plastic bag. As fruits ripen, they produce a gas called ethylene. By placing them in a plastic bag with holes, air will circulate in the bag, making sure that ethylene gas is retained, and the fruit keeps its great taste.
Get your cooking utensils squeaky clean before starting a new dish. Any residual food matter missed during washing can spoil the dish you intend to cook. This could spread harmful bacteria into your food, and could be detrimental to your health.
TIP! Try making your own dried tomatoes. Just slice them when ripe to about 1/2″ thickness.
Mold these ideas into your own methods and meals and feel free to experiment whenever possible. You can make great meals that your family will appreciate and you can relax while you cook. Cooking as a hobby can enrich not only your diet but your life as well. Make the kitchen the heart of your home.
Perhaps you feel that being in your kitchen is a mundane experience. A hobby, such as cooking, will completely revolutionize this. Your kitchen turns into a fun place to be, where you can go to make a meal that everyone in your family can enjoy. Here’s some advice to give you some ideas.
Cooking with skewers can provide very beneficial if you use them properly. If using skewers made of steel or metal, avoid ones with rounded surfaces and try ones with square or beveled designs.
Add oil to the pan on the side so when it reaches the food it is hot. Using this method can help you to boost the flavor of foods.
First, freeze the meat partially. Then you can easily slice it into neat strips. This procedure can be particular helpful when you are preparing Asian dishes. The tissues of partially-frozen meat do not tear and stretch as much; this makes cleaner slices possible. Allow the meat to thaw prior to cooking though, so that it can cook evenly.
People tend to use a lot of apples for cooking in the fall and winter months, but if they are stored incorrectly they will quickly spoil. Apples rot in dry warm air, so store them in loosely tied plastic bags in the refrigerator or a cool basement. However, you will still need to keep a watchful eye on your apples. Even properly stored apples can spoil. They’re a fickle fruit.
Texture and taste don’t have to suffer when you are trying to lighten up your mashed potatoes. Cauliflower makes for a great substitute to help drop the fat and calorie content. The taste of cauliflower will blend nicely with the potatoes. When they’re mashed, cauliflowers have the same appearance and consistency as potatoes, too. Adding a little cauliflower can take calories out of your favorite mashed potato recipes and add in a little vegetable goodness, too.
Fresh Basil
Would you like to cook with fresh basil? Gather a small bunch of freshly cut basil and place it in a glass. Next, ensure the stems are covered with water. Keep it on the kitchen counter and it will stay fresh for weeks. The basil may even start growing roots if you change out the water regularly. Cut or trim the basil occasionally to encourage additional growth and you can enjoy fresh basil for some time!
When preparing chicken stock, it is best to make a large batch. When you prepare stock, make a large amount, so it can be frozen for later use. Homemade chicken stock adds great flavor to everything from soups to casseroles. First, cool the stock and then stick it in the freezer.
When you prepare a turkey for Thanksgiving or any other time, don’t ever toss the leftovers. Cut it up and freeze it in an airtight container. You can keep it fresh for several weeks, so that you can use the turkey in sandwiches or salads.
Plastic Bag
If you purchase unripened fruits, place them in a perforated plastic bag. As fruits ripen, they produce a gas called ethylene. By placing them in a plastic bag with holes, air will circulate in the bag, making sure that ethylene gas is retained, and the fruit keeps its great taste.
Get your cooking utensils squeaky clean before starting a new dish. Any residual food matter missed during washing can spoil the dish you intend to cook. This could spread harmful bacteria into your food, and could be detrimental to your health.
Mold these ideas into your own methods and meals and feel free to experiment whenever possible. You can make great meals that your family will appreciate and you can relax while you cook. Cooking as a hobby can enrich not only your diet but your life as well. Make the kitchen the heart of your home.