If you took a poll, meals would probably rank high as the most enjoyable time of the day for people. When the chef knows what they are doing, eating is even more fun. The information below is meant to offer tips to cooks with any level of experience to improve existing skills or develop new ones that translate into better-tasting meals.
The prep work comes first. Try to have the prep work completed before cooking; this is important. When you have a limited amount of time, cooking can become stressful. Begin your meal preparations as soon as possible to avoid last minute stress.
There is a great trick to thicken up your sauce so it isn’t wasted. Mix two tablespoons of water with one tablespoon of cornstarch in a small bowl. Stir the mixture into simmering sauce to make the sauce thicker. Make sure you add starch slowly and are constantly stirring the sauce so it doesn’t get too thick.
Sharp Knives
Sharp knives are essential to cooking. Dull knives make cutting very difficult, and this makes them much more dangerous than sharp knives. A sharp knife, however, makes quick and clean work of vegetables, meat, and anything else that you’re cutting. You won’t have to force the issue; a sharp knife glides through the task.
Are you preparing a dish with fresh basil? Place the basil in a container that is glass. Put enough water into the glass to cover the stems but not the leaves. Next, place the basil and glass on the kitchen counter; the herb will remain fresh for a week or more. The basil can actually grow roots if you keep the water changed occasionally. Also trim the basil every now and then to facilitate growth. Enjoy fresh basil on a regular basis.
Garlic is a wonderful taste, but not such a wonderful smell to have on your hands. After you have finished doing your prep work with the garlic, run your hands along the stainless steel interior of your sink. Your hands will be free from adding the garlic scent and flavor to other foods.
Avoid cooking with a wine that you ordinarily would not find palatable to drink. If you use a kind of wine you’ve never tasted before, you may mess up the flavor of the dish you’re working on. Look for wines that are specifically used for cooking.
After eating turkey, whether for Thanksgiving or otherwise, do not throw away the leftovers. Chop or slice the leftover meat, store it in a zippered bag or other airtight container, and stash it in your freezer. This will keep the turkey fresh, so it can be reused for salads or sandwiches.
The best justification for learning to cook comes when you take the first tasty bite of a well-prepared meal. You may believe that it can take years to become a good cook, however, you are mistaken. Anyone interested in doing so can. With the insights gained here, you can be prepared to jump in and create a glorious culinary delight.