Being an excellent chef can be simpler than you probably realize. Part of the process is being willing to experiment and discover your own style. By using these techniques, you will learn how to be a better cook and give you the opportunity to experiment with new ideas. Use this information to enhance your cooking abilities quickly and efficiently.
Use sharp knives to prepare your favorite meals. Dull knives make cutting difficult, but in addition, they are dangerous. You can cut yourself so easily trying to force dull knives through something than it is to make a simple cut with a sharp one.
Chicken Stock
When you make chicken stock, a good piece of advice is to make it in a big quantity. If you cook a big pot of stock, you can freeze it for later. Excellent chicken stock that is homemade is a great base for use in stews, soups, casseroles, and more. To preserve your stock for future use, just simply make sure that it is stored in heavy duty freezer bags and frozen solid. This way the stock should keep for several months or so.
When boiling or sauteing veggies, use chicken broth instead of water. Not only will the chicken broth stop the vegetables from getting stuck to the pan, but it will also make the dish more tasty. Chicken broth is dirt cheap, and can be bought at any supermarket.
When serving salad to guests, you should never put salad dressing directly on it. You should have it to the side so that each person can use as much or as little as they want. Some people prefer more dressing than others; let guests pour their own dressing. Make sure you have a selection to choose from.
Don’t use a type of wine in your meal that is a kind you wouldn’t drink regularly. Wine that you don’t like or haven’t tried can ruin the way you feel about the food. There is wine available that was made specifically for cooking.
If you use herbs and spices when cooking, be sure to retain the flavor and freshness by keeping them in an area of the kitchen that is cool and dark. Do not keep your spices in a warm place or where they would be exposed to the sun because they could lose their flavor.
Apply these tips in your kitchen and watch yourself become much better at cooking. Give each suggestion a shot at least one time. Figure out the ideas that work best for you. Come up with a few tricks of your own. You can quickly improve your culinary skill by utilizing these suggestions.