Many people see cooking as quite a troublesome chore. The following article will give you ideas to make your cooking experience a fun and enjoyable.
All of the prep work can be done ahead of time. It is quite important that the preparation is done well in advance of the cooking process. Of course, cooking under a strict deadline can really increase stress levels. Do the prep work as early as you can to avoid stress later.
If you are looking for new ideas for meals to prepare for yourself or your family two great places to look are the library and the internet, try the library for cookbooks that offer a variety of easy recipes that will be fun to prepare. Try different recipes and be patient as you develop your skills.
When making a stir-fry dish, the meat needs to be cut into very thin slices, always on the bias. It is possible that you may have a little trouble doing so in a time efficient manner. When the meat is firm, not frozen, slice it across the grain at an angle of 45 degrees.
Cut your meat thinly across the grain when you are stirfrying.This can be a lot of time and be hard to do.
Sharp knives are essential in any kitchen. Blunt knives are frustrating to use and they can also be very hazardous. 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.
Have you ever felt sorry for throwing away moldy fruit away? You may have wondered if it’s okay to salvage them by trimming away the moldy parts. You can’t save a piece of fruit that has any mold on it. Mold grows inward to places that you can’t even see and it can make you ill.
Boiling and other lengthy cooking processes remove some of the vital nutrients contained in vegetables. Rather than boiling, quickly steam or sauté your vegetables to retain nutrients. Even better, eat them raw!
Fresh Basil
Do you enjoy cooking with the flavors of fresh basil? Take the basil and place it in a glass. The stems should be thoroughly covered in water. You can put it on the kitchen counter and keep it for weeks. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh, and you might even see your basil leaves sprouting some roots. Encourage new growth by occasionally pinching back or trimming your basil.
Are you using fresh basil in your cooking? Put a some of fresh basil in a glass. Make sure the the stems are covered in water. You can keep it on your counter and it will stay fresh for several weeks. The basil can actually grow roots if you keep the water regularly. Trim or cut the basil once in a while so it grows even more and stays fresh.
This seasoning not only goes well with meat, but it can also work with other foods. Add it to seeds and nuts, or even scramble it with eggs. Seasoned salt is a wonderful secret weapon to your spice rack.
Fresh ingredients are often inexpensive, as well as be more economical to prepare.
By doing any prep work the day before a big meal, you can make the actual cooking process faster and less stressful. Look at your recipe ahead of time and draft up a list of what you can do to get ready, but don’t risk spoiling any ingredients. There are a lot of things you can prep the day before you need to cook. This is a great time saver, and can make that complex recipe into something that is quick and fun.
Ice cube trays can be a great tool for freezing sauces. This makes it easier for you to make a quick meal by reheating the sauce using a later time. The sauce will be very edible after it comes out of the next time you need it!
If you are intending to use skewers when you cook, do not forget to soak them in water for at least half an hour before you use them if they are wooden. That way, they will not burn during the cooking process. Try using two skewers parallel to one another instead of just one skewer.
Chicken Broth
When buying ingredients to cook with, always read the label. Some cooking supplies will contain unhealthy ingredients. Look for products with a low level of sodium, fat and sugar to make sure you are cooking a healthy dish.
Add chicken broth to your pan when cooking vegetables. Chicken broth is an excellent base to use when preparing vegetable dishes that helps keep them from sticking of vegetables and incorporating some flavor.
If you have a recipe that requires water or milk, you can change out the liquids to create a whole new flavor. You could use chicken broth or juice, instead of water. Instead of milk, try sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk. Using different liquids can add nutritional content to certain dishes and improve their flavor.
To prepare pumpkins for baking, cut an upright pumpkin in half vertically. Place the two halves on separate baking sheets.
When serving a salad for guests that accompanies a meal, avoid pouring dressing on it. Leave the dressing on the side instead. Let people put on their own dressing. Give them a choice of salad dressings.
Leave the bone in a roast when you are pressed for time. Your roast will cook faster because the bone transfer heat to your roaster.
Try drying your own fresh tomatoes. Prepare by cutting ripe tomatoes into half-inch-thick slices or slicing Roma tomatoes in half down their long axis. Using a cooling rack, lay the sliced tomatoes with the side that is cut facing upward, and then sprinkle them lightly with salt. Put the rack on a baking sheet, and slow-bake in an oven that is set to 190 degrees for about 10 hours. They can then be stored in plastic freezer bags in your freezer. For flavored olive oil add some dried tomatoes and fresh herbs in a good quality extra virgin olive oil and store out of direct sunlight. Refrigerate and use within 2 weeks.
Storing these items in warm location will cause them to lose their flavor.
Always make sure that the cooking utensils you are about to use are clean before starting any cooking. This is a basic but very important rule for any cook. Any food particles left on a utensil could get into the food your are cooking, ruining the taste. Beyond that, dirty utensils allow bacteria to grow which could make you ill.
Hopefully this article has conceived you that cooking everyday does not have to equal a life spent chained to the stove. Using the advice in this article will enable you to add a creative flair to an activity that is commonly seen as drudgery.
To make pasta sauce even more delicious, save some of the water you boiled the pasta in. Save approximately 1/4 cup of water after cooking your pasta. When you are going to mix your pasta and sauce together, add some of the saved water. The addition of the starchy water will bulk up your sauce and make it creamier.
