While many people would like to pursue a career as a chef, the time and training required to achieve this dream can seem monumental. Cooking is so accessible because you can go at your own pace, and if you try applying these tips, you can be a master chef faster than the blink of an eye.
Keep your spices and herbs in a dark, cool place. Herbs and spices can quickly lose their flavor if exposed to continuous light or heat. As a general rule, most of your ground herbs and spices will stay fresh for about a year if stored correctly. Spices that are raw, or whole, can keep the original flavor for as long as five years, though it usually falls somewhere between three and five. Proper storage will enhance the flavoring for a longer time.
If you are just beginning to cook more of your meals, go straight to the nearest bookstore or library to find a cookbook that has simple, fun recipes. Work your way through a few different recipes, but do not allow yourself to become discouraged during the learning process.
Whenever you are spicing up your meat, consider starting off with a small portion before you cook the whole piece. Certain foods like meatballs, hamburgers and meatloaf could require very careful seasoning. Never cook your whole meal without testing the seasoning. Just make a small piece and try it. Once you see how it tastes, you can determine to either cook the remaining meat or adjust the amount of seasoning.
In order to have plenty of fresh fall apples for cooking, store them properly to keep them from spoiling. Apples will be ruined if they are stored in a warm place, make sure you store them in the fridge or in a cool place. Make sure to check on them regularly, as one rotten apple means the rest are soon to follow.
Cook Vegetables
Cook your vegetables quickly to preserve flavor. The longer you cook vegetables, the less flavor and nutrition they have. You have an added bonus, because these certain techniques make vegetables healthier in general. When you know how to cook vegetables in the least amount of time possible, you will enjoy better tasting and nutritious vegetables.
Have you ever wanted to cook a meal using fresh basil? Place some basil in a clean glass. The stems will then need to be covered with water. Keep it on the kitchen counter and it should stay fresh. If you are sure to add fresh water, your basil will even form roots and become a plant. By cutting or trimming the basil on occasion, it will grow even further, so you can have fresh basil for quite a while.
Learning how to cook an amazing meal will help you throughout your life, whether it’s to impress a date or your boss. All around the world, people sit down with family and friends to share a meal. You can become a great cook by just following the advice from this article.