Have you ever been at a restaurant and wondered how the food was made? Have you tried to recreate this dish in your own home? You can use these suggestions to cook your favorite meals, or make new ones. All kinds of people find cooking a form of relaxation and even a good time.
Keep a few pointers in mind if you plan to attempt cooking with skewers. Using metal skewer types will increase your chances of success when compared to wooden options.
It is essential that you are prepared before you start to cook a meal to serve to your loved ones. Make sure you have everything you need to make your food. Get everything set to cook the next day. Determine if you have you got the right utensils, etc. This process will reduce your stress level and help manifest a more positive outcome.
Lots of recipes for fresh basil? If you want to keep it fresh, first place it in a glass. The stems should be thoroughly covered in water. This will allow it to stay fresh for weeks! If you change the water occasionally, the basil will even grow roots in the water. Trim or cut the basil from time to time for additional growth. Now you can enjoy your fresh basil anytime!
To give your food vitality, prepare meals using fresh ingredients instead of frozen or dried ingredients whenever possible. You will save plenty of money by buying fresh vegetables and other ingredients, and your food will also taste more flavorful.
A lot of preparatory work can be done ahead of time in order to speed up time spent cooking. Check the recipe you're using to see if some preparation can be done without the partially prepared dish spoiling. It is often possible to prepare your ingredients as much as 24 hours ahead of time. This can make it even easier to cook complicated dishes and make them more enjoyable.
When you do this, the mushroom will become absorbent and soak up the water. A better option is to use a clean, damp cloth to hand-wipe each mushroom.
Have you had trouble trying to figure out exactly how long to grill your meats? Use a meat thermometer to tell when it is cooked properly. If the meat is any thicker than one and a half inches, you can reduce your grill time by closing the lid.
To prepare a pumpkin for baking, you should first prop up the pumpkin so that it is upright. Next, use a large knife to bisect it evenly. Place both halves cut side down on separate baking sheets. Sprinkle the baking sheets with a little water and allow the pumpkin to bake for an hour at 350 Fahrenheit.
You will have fresh fruits all year long. Another great benefit is that you will have certain fruits on their off season.
Try different liquids in recipes calling for water or milk to add some new flavors to your meals. Substitute plain water with juice, broth, or the water that you cooked your vegetables in. Instead of milk, try sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk. You can increase the nutritional and wow factors of any dish, simply by trying different substitutions for liquids that recipes call for.
Some ingredients can leave a rather strong odor on your cutting board. Mark one end, or side, of each cutting board so that you know which is which.
You have just read everything you need to know to become a great cook. Be creative and experiment with a wide variety of recipes and meals. Because there are so many different foods from so many different cultures, the possibilities are endless!
Friday, January 23, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
What You Need To Know About Cooking Great Food In Your Kitchen
You will have to develop some level of skill however! Whatever the reason is for your desire to learn to cook, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment once you acquire this skill. Read some great tips on how to become a better cook.
Always store your spices in a cool and dark place. Exposure to excessive heat, humidity, or light will affect the flavor of dried seasoning. Ground herbs and spices will retain their flavor for about a year. Whole spices last longer, possibly as long as five years. When stored in the correct place, they will keep their freshness for longer.
Get your ingredients squared away ahead of time. It is quite important that the preparation is done well in advance of the cooking process. If you are cooking a complex dish, take some of the stress out of it by having your needed ingredients lined up and ready. Get everything prepared at least a day ahead of time.
If you are just starting out with cooking, consider doing your research at your local library. There are plenty of cookbooks with simple recipes available. Experiment with several recipes, and give yourself the time in perfecting your cooking skills.
Store your spices in a cool, dark place. Your spices will not last as long if they are exposed to light, heat or humidity. Your spices will have a longer shelf life and retain their good taste if stored in a dark, cool spot. Using fresh spices makes meals even more delicious.
In order to make it easier to slice meat into thin strips, you should first marginally freeze the meat. This technique is especially useful for the meat slicing styles typically used in Asian cuisine. When you freeze the meat, fibers stretch less making it cut easier. To keep your meat cooking evenly, make sure you let the slices thaw completely before you cook them.
During cooking, it's essential that you have sharp knives accessible. Dull knives don't get the job done, but in addition, are actually dangerous. Use a sharp knife and it will glide right through the items you wish to cut, without you having to put a great amount of force behind the blade.
They are known to soak up water like a sponge. Wipe the mushrooms off by hand with a cloth that is damp.
Although garlic is a great flavor booster that compliments a wide variety of foods, it can unfortunately stick to your hands. One tip is to utilize the stainless steel feature of your sink; swipe your hand across it when you've been handling garlic or other ingredients with strong odors. This removes the scent from your hands; it also prevents the odor from being transferred to other foods.
Be sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using. If you do this, the skewers won't burn on the grill. You can make sure that food stays on your skewers by skewing the food with parallel skewers.
By doing this, you will find that you will have fresh fruit for a much longer time. Another great benefit is that you will have certain fruits on their off season.
So, are you going to put that apron on and get into the kitchen to put these tips into practice? Use this advice to start you on your way to cooking like a pro. No matter the reasons why you want to cook, you should take great pleasure in creating a meal that you have made on your own. It is a reality that skills are necessary to be a great cook. The effort requires just makes the result all the more worth it.
Always store your spices in a cool and dark place. Exposure to excessive heat, humidity, or light will affect the flavor of dried seasoning. Ground herbs and spices will retain their flavor for about a year. Whole spices last longer, possibly as long as five years. When stored in the correct place, they will keep their freshness for longer.
Get your ingredients squared away ahead of time. It is quite important that the preparation is done well in advance of the cooking process. If you are cooking a complex dish, take some of the stress out of it by having your needed ingredients lined up and ready. Get everything prepared at least a day ahead of time.
If you are just starting out with cooking, consider doing your research at your local library. There are plenty of cookbooks with simple recipes available. Experiment with several recipes, and give yourself the time in perfecting your cooking skills.
Store your spices in a cool, dark place. Your spices will not last as long if they are exposed to light, heat or humidity. Your spices will have a longer shelf life and retain their good taste if stored in a dark, cool spot. Using fresh spices makes meals even more delicious.
In order to make it easier to slice meat into thin strips, you should first marginally freeze the meat. This technique is especially useful for the meat slicing styles typically used in Asian cuisine. When you freeze the meat, fibers stretch less making it cut easier. To keep your meat cooking evenly, make sure you let the slices thaw completely before you cook them.
During cooking, it's essential that you have sharp knives accessible. Dull knives don't get the job done, but in addition, are actually dangerous. Use a sharp knife and it will glide right through the items you wish to cut, without you having to put a great amount of force behind the blade.
They are known to soak up water like a sponge. Wipe the mushrooms off by hand with a cloth that is damp.
Although garlic is a great flavor booster that compliments a wide variety of foods, it can unfortunately stick to your hands. One tip is to utilize the stainless steel feature of your sink; swipe your hand across it when you've been handling garlic or other ingredients with strong odors. This removes the scent from your hands; it also prevents the odor from being transferred to other foods.
Be sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using. If you do this, the skewers won't burn on the grill. You can make sure that food stays on your skewers by skewing the food with parallel skewers.
By doing this, you will find that you will have fresh fruit for a much longer time. Another great benefit is that you will have certain fruits on their off season.
So, are you going to put that apron on and get into the kitchen to put these tips into practice? Use this advice to start you on your way to cooking like a pro. No matter the reasons why you want to cook, you should take great pleasure in creating a meal that you have made on your own. It is a reality that skills are necessary to be a great cook. The effort requires just makes the result all the more worth it.
Monday, January 5, 2015
No Too Good At Cooking? Follow These Simple Kitchen Tips
For most people, cooking is nothing more than a daily chore they have to take care of. However, cooking can be an enjoyable activity. It's also a good step toward a more healthy lifestyle. A good cook will always continue to learn new and innovative methods, and the following information will help you learn more about cooking as well.
When you decide to cook with skewers there are a few strategies to keep in mind. Regarding metal skewers, square or twisted varieties are preferable to round ones, as the round ones do not hold food items as well as the other two types.
Cool, dark and dry places are ideal for keeping herbs and spices. Warmth, humidity and light will make them stale and unflavorful. Herbs and spices that are ground usually remain flavorful for a year. Whole spices might retain their flavors for three to five years. When stored in the correct place, they will keep their freshness for longer.
It's very important to have good, sharp knives for cooking. A dull knife will not only make it more difficult to slice and chop your ingredients, but it will also be a hazard to use. The chance of accidentally cutting yourself while using a dull knife to cut steak is way higher than using a sharp knife to cut the same steak.
If you are having guests over for dinner, cook a meal you are confident making. You don't ever want to try new ingredients or recipes that you don't have experience with. This will ensure that your cooking experience is stress-free.
One way to make mashed potatoes retain their taste but contain a little less fat and calories is to replace some of them with equal amounts of cauliflower. Cauliflower blends perfectly with your potatoes without changing the taste of your mashed potatoes. Your mashed potato dish will also look the same if you add cauliflower, allowing it to retain its color and texture while taking the calories out of your potatoes.
Cook your vegetables quickly to preserve flavor. The longer you cook vegetables, the less flavor and nutrition they have. These quick cooking techniques will produce generally, healthier vegetable sides. Cooking vegetables as quickly as possible is key to preserving their nutrients.
When you are cooking, it is important to remember that a fresh ingredient is always better than a frozen or dried ingredient. Try to use as many fresh ingredients as you can, because they will bring out a lot more flavor in your dish, and they can be a lot less expensive in the long run as well.
As was stated at the beginning of the article, good cooks never stop learning. Cooking in enjoyable because you will be able to learn about new and fun foods, as well as great methods for preparing them. In addition, it provides you with the pleasure of teaching others the wonderful things you have learned. Cooking is not just a task to be mastered, but a gift that was meant to be shared with others.
When you decide to cook with skewers there are a few strategies to keep in mind. Regarding metal skewers, square or twisted varieties are preferable to round ones, as the round ones do not hold food items as well as the other two types.
Cool, dark and dry places are ideal for keeping herbs and spices. Warmth, humidity and light will make them stale and unflavorful. Herbs and spices that are ground usually remain flavorful for a year. Whole spices might retain their flavors for three to five years. When stored in the correct place, they will keep their freshness for longer.
It's very important to have good, sharp knives for cooking. A dull knife will not only make it more difficult to slice and chop your ingredients, but it will also be a hazard to use. The chance of accidentally cutting yourself while using a dull knife to cut steak is way higher than using a sharp knife to cut the same steak.
If you are having guests over for dinner, cook a meal you are confident making. You don't ever want to try new ingredients or recipes that you don't have experience with. This will ensure that your cooking experience is stress-free.
One way to make mashed potatoes retain their taste but contain a little less fat and calories is to replace some of them with equal amounts of cauliflower. Cauliflower blends perfectly with your potatoes without changing the taste of your mashed potatoes. Your mashed potato dish will also look the same if you add cauliflower, allowing it to retain its color and texture while taking the calories out of your potatoes.
Cook your vegetables quickly to preserve flavor. The longer you cook vegetables, the less flavor and nutrition they have. These quick cooking techniques will produce generally, healthier vegetable sides. Cooking vegetables as quickly as possible is key to preserving their nutrients.
When you are cooking, it is important to remember that a fresh ingredient is always better than a frozen or dried ingredient. Try to use as many fresh ingredients as you can, because they will bring out a lot more flavor in your dish, and they can be a lot less expensive in the long run as well.
As was stated at the beginning of the article, good cooks never stop learning. Cooking in enjoyable because you will be able to learn about new and fun foods, as well as great methods for preparing them. In addition, it provides you with the pleasure of teaching others the wonderful things you have learned. Cooking is not just a task to be mastered, but a gift that was meant to be shared with others.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Cook Up A Storm With These Handy Kitchen Tips
If you are trying to achieve a wonderful eating experience, there are countless cuisines and techniques to help you reach your goal. Some are easy to pick up, while others require study and practice. Here, we will give you some handy kitchen tips to help you improve your cooking skills.
When you are making stir-fry dishes, make certain the meat is thinly sliced on the bias. However, this can take a lot of time while also being very tricky. Remove the meat when it is firm but before it freezes, and cut at an angle of 45 degrees against the grain.
A sharp knife is indispensable for efficient cooking. Dull knives make cutting very difficult, and this makes them much more dangerous than sharp knives. Use a sharp knife and it will glide right through the items you wish to cut, without you having to put a great amount of force behind the blade.
Long cooking processes, like boiling, can "zap" nutrients from foods, like vegetables. Use quick cooking methods instead to maintain their healthy quality. Examples of these methods are steaming, sauteing, or the best one is to eat them raw.
Store your apples correctly so you can use them to cook during the winter months. Air that is warm or dry will cause apples to spoil, so it is important to place them in a plastic bag, knotted loosely and keep them in a cool place. One rotten apple will spoil the bunch so keep a close eye on them while stored.
Cooking vegetables quickly improves their overall quality. Vegetables that have been slow-cooked are not as nutritional or tasty as vegetables that are cooked in other ways. Vegetables cooked in these ways make healthier side dishes and ingredients in recipes. The key to improving your vegetables is learning how you can cook them in the minimum amount of time.
Do you love to cook with fresh basil? Store the basil within a glass. The stems will then need to be covered with water. It will remain fresh for a good amount of time just sitting on the kitchen counter! If you occasionally change its water, it will sprout roots. Occasionally trim the basil in order to promote more growth so that you can have fresh basil for a while.
Always soak skewers in water for 30 minutes before loading them with food and cooking. This will help to prevent burning when they are cooking. You can keep food on the skewer when you use two parallel skewers instead of one.
Keep in mind that tofu and beans are excellent sources of protein when you want to add more protein to your diet. They are also easily located at almost every grocery store. Tofu can be seasoned and pan-fried, and then served in lieu of a meat dish. Likewise, beans cooked with herbs can also be a flavorful dish.
Over-complicating recipes is often the source of a ruined meal. You can make healthy, tasty meals without a lot of hassle, by sticking to what you understand clearly. You can use the tips that have been provided to improve your cooking skills and make improve every meal that you cook in the future.
When you are making stir-fry dishes, make certain the meat is thinly sliced on the bias. However, this can take a lot of time while also being very tricky. Remove the meat when it is firm but before it freezes, and cut at an angle of 45 degrees against the grain.
A sharp knife is indispensable for efficient cooking. Dull knives make cutting very difficult, and this makes them much more dangerous than sharp knives. Use a sharp knife and it will glide right through the items you wish to cut, without you having to put a great amount of force behind the blade.
Long cooking processes, like boiling, can "zap" nutrients from foods, like vegetables. Use quick cooking methods instead to maintain their healthy quality. Examples of these methods are steaming, sauteing, or the best one is to eat them raw.
Store your apples correctly so you can use them to cook during the winter months. Air that is warm or dry will cause apples to spoil, so it is important to place them in a plastic bag, knotted loosely and keep them in a cool place. One rotten apple will spoil the bunch so keep a close eye on them while stored.
Cooking vegetables quickly improves their overall quality. Vegetables that have been slow-cooked are not as nutritional or tasty as vegetables that are cooked in other ways. Vegetables cooked in these ways make healthier side dishes and ingredients in recipes. The key to improving your vegetables is learning how you can cook them in the minimum amount of time.
Do you love to cook with fresh basil? Store the basil within a glass. The stems will then need to be covered with water. It will remain fresh for a good amount of time just sitting on the kitchen counter! If you occasionally change its water, it will sprout roots. Occasionally trim the basil in order to promote more growth so that you can have fresh basil for a while.
Always soak skewers in water for 30 minutes before loading them with food and cooking. This will help to prevent burning when they are cooking. You can keep food on the skewer when you use two parallel skewers instead of one.
Keep in mind that tofu and beans are excellent sources of protein when you want to add more protein to your diet. They are also easily located at almost every grocery store. Tofu can be seasoned and pan-fried, and then served in lieu of a meat dish. Likewise, beans cooked with herbs can also be a flavorful dish.
Over-complicating recipes is often the source of a ruined meal. You can make healthy, tasty meals without a lot of hassle, by sticking to what you understand clearly. You can use the tips that have been provided to improve your cooking skills and make improve every meal that you cook in the future.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
All About Cooking: Tips And Tricks For The Home Chef
While we all need to eat, not all of us can cook food that is worth eating...yet. Make the most of your cooking efforts by trying the tips offered here. Do not allow yourself to be intimidated by the idea of preparing a fine meal with a variety of ingredients. Cooking can be a very good skill to have. Have fun cooking and don't stress if you go a bit overboard and make a mess occasionally.
Cooking vegetables for a long time in a boiling liquid will remove nutrients that are found in them. To keep them nutritious, try quickly cooking them, like sauteing or steaming. You can also enjoy them raw.
Be careful when using garlic because the flavor and aroma can be transferred to a variety of surfaces, including your hands. By rubbing your hands inside a stainless sink after handling pungent smelling foods. This serves to both clean your hands thoroughly and prevent the odors from seeping into any other food you are going to handle.
If you have made sauce, put the leftovers into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then, at a later date, it is a simple process to reheat the cubes on your stove top in a pan. Nothing to worry about as the sauce will be fine even after it's been sitting in ice cube trays.
When cooking vegetables, try cooking them in chicken broth. Add extra flavor to your vegetables and keep them from sticking by using chicken broth instead of water. There is not a lot of expense when buying chicken broth, and most grocers carry it.
Using less fats, like extra virgin oil or butter, when you cook will help you to lose weight and keep your heart healthy. These include fatty substances like oils and butter. A smart alternative is to switch to a nonstick cooking spray, it gives similar results with less of the unhealthy ingredients.
Before cooking pumpkins, cut them up and place them on a baking sheet flesh side up. On different baking sheets, place a half face down on each one. Sprinkle the baking sheet with water, and bake the pumpkin for an hour at 350 degrees.
Always measure your cooking oils! To lower the amount of fat in your cooking, be sure to carefully measure the amount of oil that you use when you cook, instead of simply pouring from the bottle into a pan. If you know exactly how much oil you're using, you know exactly how much fat has been added.
If you want to cook a roast but don't have enough time, you should keep the bone in. It will cook faster because the bone will evenly distribute the heat inside your roaster. Once your roast is done, just cut the meat from the bone, then serve.
Cooking doesn't have to be scary. Home made food is cheaper and healthier than eating out, and making it can be fun. Use the tips we have given you and let them lead you to the grocer's, back to your kitchen and then to your happy family! Enjoy your cooking adventure!
Cooking vegetables for a long time in a boiling liquid will remove nutrients that are found in them. To keep them nutritious, try quickly cooking them, like sauteing or steaming. You can also enjoy them raw.
Be careful when using garlic because the flavor and aroma can be transferred to a variety of surfaces, including your hands. By rubbing your hands inside a stainless sink after handling pungent smelling foods. This serves to both clean your hands thoroughly and prevent the odors from seeping into any other food you are going to handle.
If you have made sauce, put the leftovers into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then, at a later date, it is a simple process to reheat the cubes on your stove top in a pan. Nothing to worry about as the sauce will be fine even after it's been sitting in ice cube trays.
When cooking vegetables, try cooking them in chicken broth. Add extra flavor to your vegetables and keep them from sticking by using chicken broth instead of water. There is not a lot of expense when buying chicken broth, and most grocers carry it.
Using less fats, like extra virgin oil or butter, when you cook will help you to lose weight and keep your heart healthy. These include fatty substances like oils and butter. A smart alternative is to switch to a nonstick cooking spray, it gives similar results with less of the unhealthy ingredients.
Before cooking pumpkins, cut them up and place them on a baking sheet flesh side up. On different baking sheets, place a half face down on each one. Sprinkle the baking sheet with water, and bake the pumpkin for an hour at 350 degrees.
Always measure your cooking oils! To lower the amount of fat in your cooking, be sure to carefully measure the amount of oil that you use when you cook, instead of simply pouring from the bottle into a pan. If you know exactly how much oil you're using, you know exactly how much fat has been added.
If you want to cook a roast but don't have enough time, you should keep the bone in. It will cook faster because the bone will evenly distribute the heat inside your roaster. Once your roast is done, just cut the meat from the bone, then serve.
Cooking doesn't have to be scary. Home made food is cheaper and healthier than eating out, and making it can be fun. Use the tips we have given you and let them lead you to the grocer's, back to your kitchen and then to your happy family! Enjoy your cooking adventure!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Smooth Chickpea Tahini Hummus Recipe
1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas, rinsed and drained well
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 Tbsp natural roasted sesame tahini
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 to 1 tsp olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Put the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, broth, lemon juice, and olive oil in a blender and pulse until smooth. Add more vegetable broth or olive oil if needed to get a smoother hummus. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
Remove to a bowl and serve immediately either on a crudite tray or with bread or crackers.
Will make at least 1 cup of finished hummus.
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 Tbsp natural roasted sesame tahini
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 to 1 tsp olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Put the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, broth, lemon juice, and olive oil in a blender and pulse until smooth. Add more vegetable broth or olive oil if needed to get a smoother hummus. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
Remove to a bowl and serve immediately either on a crudite tray or with bread or crackers.
Will make at least 1 cup of finished hummus.
Sweet Potato And Turnip Bake Recipe
1 medium sweet potato
1 medium turnip
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/4 cup finely diced flat leaf parsley
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Peel the sweet potato and turnip and dice them both into 1 inch cubes.
Put a steamer basket in a large pot, fill with just enough water to come up to the bottom of the steamer, and set the veggies in the steamer. Cover the pot, bring water to a boil, and allow the veggies to steam until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Watch the water to make sure it doesn't boil dry; add more hot water to pot if necessary.
In a skillet, add the olive oil and onion, place over medium heat and cook until onion softens; set aside.
When the sweet potatoes and turnips are tender, remove from the pot and place in a large bowl. Smash together with a potato masher or pastry cutter or a large fork. Add the onion and olive oil from the skillet along with the fresh parsley and stir together to combine well, taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Spoon the mixture into a broiler-safe dish and top with shredded Parmesan cheese. Place under broiler and heat just until cheese melts and slightly browns, about 2 minutes. Remove and serve hot.
Will serve 2 to 4.
1 medium turnip
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup finely diced onion
1/4 cup finely diced flat leaf parsley
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Peel the sweet potato and turnip and dice them both into 1 inch cubes.
Put a steamer basket in a large pot, fill with just enough water to come up to the bottom of the steamer, and set the veggies in the steamer. Cover the pot, bring water to a boil, and allow the veggies to steam until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Watch the water to make sure it doesn't boil dry; add more hot water to pot if necessary.
In a skillet, add the olive oil and onion, place over medium heat and cook until onion softens; set aside.
When the sweet potatoes and turnips are tender, remove from the pot and place in a large bowl. Smash together with a potato masher or pastry cutter or a large fork. Add the onion and olive oil from the skillet along with the fresh parsley and stir together to combine well, taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
Spoon the mixture into a broiler-safe dish and top with shredded Parmesan cheese. Place under broiler and heat just until cheese melts and slightly browns, about 2 minutes. Remove and serve hot.
Will serve 2 to 4.
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