It is common sense that human beings require food in order to survive. But eating for survival alone sounds a means of survival. Cooking a great meal can be even better than just eating the dish. Here are some great tips to bring your cooking prowess.
Protect your spice and herb collection by storing your jars at room temperature in a dark place. The flavor of the spices and herbs will decrease if they are kept in areas with light, humidity, and heat. Generally, ground spices and herbs keep most of their flavor for a year. If kept whole, spices can keep their flavor for up to five years. The freshness can last longer if they are stored correctly.
Partially chill meat is easier to slice into thin strips. This tip is particularly handy for meats served in Asian dishes you may try that call for thin strips of meat. To ensure the meat cooks evenly, be sure it is completely thawed before cooking.
To make your French fries crispier, try leaving the raw potatoes in some cold water for half an hour before you fry them.
The prep work comes first. Before you start making your food, it is a good thing to have everything prepared. Sometimes even when the prep work is done, the deadline for when the meal must be completed can still loom large and become stressful. Prepare early to avoid later stress.
Do you enjoy cooking with the flavors of fresh basil in your dishes? Place some basil in a large glass.Make sure the stems are completely covered by an adequate amount of water. You can put it on your counter and it will stay fresh for weeks. The basil will grow roots if you keep the water. You should also cut the basil so it grows even more.
Fresh ingredients will give your dish extra flavor, and can help bring a lot of flavor out of your dish.
If making stir-fry, meat must be cut on the bias and sliced thinly. This can sometimes be a tricky undertaking and very time-consuming. When the meat is stiff but not frozen, take it out and slice immediately across the grain at a slight angle.
Ice trays can be a great tool for freezing and storing leftover sauce. This makes it easier for you to make a quick meal by reheating the sauce using a saute pan. The sauce will keep extremely well until the trays.
Plan to make a large pot of stock in order to freeze it for storing. Good homemade chicken stock is a wonderful base in soups, casseroles, stews and other dishes.
A great tip to follow if you use oil to cook is to put it on the sides of the pan while cooking, so it’s already heated by the time it reaches the food. Doing this will give you maximum flavor when your meal is finished cooking.
Leave the bone in your roast when you are pressed for time. The bone helps distribute the cooking process by distributing the heat directly to the roast.
Do not use wine when cooking a recipe that you do not think normally tastes good. There is wine available that are used just for cooking purposes.
People often use more apples in fall and winter, but they will spoil if not stored properly. Store apples in a plastic bag in a cool, dry location to keep them fresher longer. Check your stored apples frequently, as one spoiling fruit can quickly ruin the rest in the bag if not promptly removed.
Inch Thick
Try making your own fresh tomatoes.You can do this by slicing your tomatoes about a half an inch thick, or ripe tomatoes sliced about a half inch thick. Dried tomatoes may also be stored in a jar containing fresh herbs and topped up with olive oil. Place in the refrigerator and consume within 2 weeks.
For crispier French fries, you should chill the peeled potatoes in water for 30 minutes or more before frying them. Letting sliced potatoes soak up additional cold fluids reinforces the fibers in the vegetable, so that when you deep fry them, they can better withstand the heat without breaking down completely.
Never trash the leftovers after cooking a turkey. Cut it up and freeze it in airtight containers. Turkey will stay fresh up to three weeks after being frozen.
Place unripe fruits in a plastic bag that is perforated right after you have poked small holes into. If you put them in the bag with holds the air will go through the bag, the air can circulate and assure that the gas is retained, keeping the fruit fresh and tasty.
Do you cook with fresh basil? If so, put lots of fresh basil into a glass. Cover its stems completely with water. Just set it on the counter top, and it will be good for several weeks. If you perform periodic water changes, the roots of the basil will grow in the water. Cut or trim the basil occasionally to encourage additional growth and you can enjoy fresh basil for some time!
Learn to have fun when you cook; you may find that you enjoy it even more than eating. Use the suggestions outlined above and pick and choose what will work for you, and add your own little tricks along the way. Improving your culinary prowess will cause others to beg for your home-cooked snacks at every get-together.