Not everyone knows how to cook, but everyone eats! Make the most of your cooking efforts by trying the tips offered here. Don’t let the thought of cooking intimidate you. Cooking can be fun and a source of great joy. Pick up your fork and dig in! This article is filled with tips on becoming a more productive part of your kitchen.
If you keep herbs and spices handy, make sure you are keeping them in a dark, cool area. If your spices are exposed to moisture, heat, or light they may lose their flavor. Generally, ground spices and herbs keep most of their flavor for a year. 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. When stored in the correct place, they will keep their freshness for longer.
Preparation is key when cooking for family or friends. Save yourself time and trouble by having all your ingredients ready. Set all of the non-perishable ingredients and utensils out the day ahead. This will help to alleviate your anxiety and maximize your potential.
Meat should always be thinly sliced and cut on the bias if you are adding it to a stir-fry. Some people find it difficult to cut the meat thin, but it is very important. When the meat is firm, not frozen, slice it across the grain at an angle of 45 degrees.
A good tip when cooking with oil is to put it on the sides of the pan so it’s already hot when it slides down into the food. Hot oil adds more flavor to the food, giving you the tastiest results when you’re finished.
Corn Starch
Try this quick trick to salvage your efforts. Try mixing two tablespoons water and a tablespoon containing corn starch in a bowl. In order to create a thicker sauce, add the mixture to the sauce, while it is cooking on low heat. To prevent the sauce from getting overly thick, pour the corn starch and water mixture into the sauce very slowly and be sure that you are stirring it constantly.
For crispier French fries, put raw potatoes into cold water and let them sit there for about half an hour before frying. Vegetables fibers can breakdown under high heat conditions. Soaking reinforces these fibers to produce better results.
Replacing some of your mashed potatoes with equal amounts of cauliflower is a healthy alternative, reducing fat and calories. Because cauliflower has a pretty bland taste, it blends well with the potatoes and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. Your mashed potato dish will also look the same if you add cauliflower, allowing it to retain its color and texture while taking the calories out of your potatoes.
Learning to cook is not a scary endeavor. Making food on your own is cheaper, fun and more nutritious. Take what you have learned from the tips in this article to the grocery store, your kitchen, and finally to your plate. Cheers to home cooking and enjoy your meal!