Although lots of people dream of becoming great chefs, all the hard training that is required can be extremely overwhelming. The great thing about cooking is that you can take it one step at a time, and by following the tips in this article, you will be cooking with the best of them in no time.
In your journey to cook more meals yourself, utilize the library or local bookstore in acquiring cookbooks. Target simple books with simple recipes that make you comfortable. Try your hand at some of the recipes, remembering that patience is key during the learning process.
The prep work is a very important part of assembling a home-cooked meal for family or friends. Make sure you have everything you need to make your food. Put everything you need to cook the dish out the night before. Make sure you have all the cooking equipment and ingredients required. Having everything ready will take some of the stress off and increase the chances of your success.
Sharp knives are an essential tool. Dull knives, in addition to being ineffective, are actually very dangerous. You’re less likely to cut yourself chopping up a vegetable with the clean, fast strokes of a sharp knife, than when you are forcing and wiggling a dull knife.
Cooking Methods
Many of the most important nutrients present in vegetables are removed or destroyed with lengthy cooking methods such as boiling. To retain these nutrients, rely on cooking methods that don’t take a lot of time, including steaming or sauteing. You can even eat them raw if you have the taste for it.
Let raw potatoes soak in some cold water for a half hour prior to frying them to increase the crispiness of French fries. The fibers of raw cut potatoes that have been soaked in cold water prior to hitting the deep fryer, are stronger and can handle the heat better without breakage.
Are you partial to using fresh basil in your cooking? Put a bunch of fresh basil in a glass. Make sure the basil’s stems are covered in water. Next, place the basil and glass on the kitchen counter; the herb will remain fresh for a week or more. Change the water regularly and roots will grow. Also trim the basil every now and then to facilitate growth. Enjoy fresh basil on a regular basis.
Chicken Stock
When you make chicken stock, a good piece of advice is to make it in a big quantity. If you make a large pot of stock, you can freeze it and store it for future use. There are a variety of recipes that call for chicken stock, so having it on hand is always a good idea. Allow the stock to cool before freezing it in durable, Ziploc bags.
Whatever reason for becoming a good cook, knowing how to cook will always prove beneficial. Eating with family and friends is a custom that transcends place and culture. If you implement the tips in this article, it won’t be long before you are an accomplished cook and your dinner parties are the talk of the town.