Have you ever been at a restaurant and wondered how the food was made? Perhaps you have even tried to recreate the dish at home. Here are some pointers that may not make you a master chef right away, but can guide you toward creating meals to be proud of. You’ll love the results you taste after using these tips, and you will have found a new hobby to enjoy too!
Herbs and spices should be stored in an area of your kitchen that is cool and dark. Herbs and spices can quickly lose their flavor if exposed to continuous light or heat. Usually herbs and ground spices tend to stay fresh for about a year. Whole spices can stay fresh for up to five years. As long as they are stored properly, they will hold onto their flavor for several years.
Oil should be added to the side of the pan. When it reaches the food, it will already be heated up. Your food will taste better, and you will not have a lull in the cooking process waiting for the oil to heat up.
If you need to slice meat into thin strips, then partially freeze it beforehand. This technique is suited for meats used in many Asian dishes. When meat is slightly frozen, it becomes simpler to slice because the fibers won’t stretch and tear that easy. However, you must allow the sliced meat time to thaw out before the cooking process, so it cooks evenly.
Before frying raw potatoes, allow them to soak for half an hour in a bowl of cold water; this will result in crispier fries. The soaking process will reinforce the vegetable fibers, and they will be better able to withstand heat when you fry them.
These seasonings work equally well on other foods. Experiment with adding it to roasted seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin, or even sprinkle into salads and egg dishes. All your guests will be left wondering where the delightful flavor came from.
While garlic is excellent for cooking, it can also be absorbed into your hands. If you have a stainless steel sink, simply rub your hands vigorously on the inside of it, when you are finished handling the garlic. While ridding your hands of the garlic odor, it will also have the added benefit of preventing its transfer to other foods, as you cook.
It is vital for cooks to have their supplies organized when cooking. If you are disorganized, you won’t know where to find the cheese grater or the spatula when you need them. Put like items with other like items. For instance, put all your spices together in one cabinet.
Now you can become a better chef with these tips in hand. Use your imagination to make some delicious meals when you are cooking and using new recipes. The variety of meals you can cook is completely unlimited, given the vast array of ingredients to use and the number of cultural traditions to draw on.