Thursday, June 26, 2014

Better Cooking With Less Effort - Quick Ways To Brush Up On Your Kitchen Skills

Great cooking skills don't happen naturally, and even those who possess them are capable of learning more. Cooking is a life skill that everyone works on, every day. If you want to be on your way to making that foie gras, then this article is the place to start. These tips can really help you become a better cook.

When storing your herbs and spices, they should be kept in a cool, dark spot. Herbs and spices can quickly lose their flavor if exposed to continuous light or heat. Usually, ground herbs and spices retain their flavor for 12 months. It is possible for whole spices to hold their flavor for several years. When stored properly, spice stay fresh for longer periods of time.

bake tart or pie crusts longer that you think they should be baked. Wait until the crust turns golden rather than pale blond. This golden color means that the sugar has caramelized, leaving a sweet flavor.

When preparing stir-fry dishes, slice meat as thinly as possible and on its bias. Very often this is difficult to master and takes a lot of time. When the meat is stiff but not frozen, take it out and slice immediately across the grain at a slight angle.

If you put your meat in the freezer to make it a little hard, it will be easier to cut into thin strips. This works especially well for meats to be used with Asian recipes. Partially freezing meat keep the fibers in meat from stretching and tearing resulting in perfectly sliced strips. Though before cooking the meat strips, make sure you let them thaw completely. This allows for even cooking.

If you are making a meal for someone that you want to make a good impression on, be sure to make something you know how to make well. You should never attempt to cook some new dish or even a new ingredient you've never attempted. Doing this will decrease the stress that you feel, which is always a good thing.

Are you preparing a dish with fresh basil? Take some fresh basil and put some of it in a glass. Pour water into the glass so that the stems are covered with water. You could let it sit on your counter and it will stay fresh for weeks. If you change the water occasionally, the basil will even grow roots in the water. Trim or cut the basil periodically to provide for added growth so you can partake in some fresh basil for a while!

By completing some food preparation ahead of time you can simplify your cooking process. Peruse your recipes and look for things you can do ahead of time. Choose items that will not spoil. You can make a lot of your preparations a day or more in advance. In this manner, even complicated recipes become simple and easy meals.

As the above article has demonstrated, learning new methods of cooking is very exciting! In fact, learning to prepare delicious meals is almost as enjoyable as eating them. Other useful hints and techniques are available in cookbooks, magazines and websites to help you continue improving your cooking abilities. Learning how to cook is something you should always strive to do.

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