Want To Learn How To Cook Better? Read These Easy Tips

You need to get educated if you want to become a five-star cook. This article is full of helpful advice for all kinds of cooks. Read on and take note of these tips so that you can cultivate your cooking prowess.

Prepare as much of your recipe as you can ahead of time. Having everything prepared before you begin cooking is important. If you are cooking a complex dish, take some of the stress out of it by having your needed ingredients lined up and ready. Having as much prep work done as possible will save you both time and frustration!

A great starting point when looking to expand your cooking repertoire is your local library or bookstore. Look for cookbooks which contain basic and simple recipes for you to practice and have fun preparing. Experiment with a few, and be patient; remember, you're learning new skills.

If you are making stir-fry meals, you should slice the meat as thin as possible and cut it on the bias. This can be a bit difficult, and it takes some time to do it right. Wait for the meat to get slightly firm and remove it from the freezer, then slice diagonally, cutting across the grain at an angle of roughly 45 degrees.

Did you ever feel bad for throwing old, moldy fruit away? Is it a good practice to save them by cutting out the rotten, moldy part? Never try to salvage fruit that is past its prime. You need to throw them away, as mold tends to grow deeper than the eye can see, and eating moldy foods can make someone quite ill.

Are you aiming to reduce the amount of fat and calories you consume in your mashed potatoes without having to give up taste or texture? If so, consider replacing a certain amount of the potatoes with cauliflower. Their bland flavor blends effortlessly with the potatoes while taking flavor from the other ingredients. Additionally, mashed cauliflower has the same texture and color as mashed potatoes, so no one will know that you've boosted the veggie content of the dish while removing calories.

Do you enjoy flavoring your food with fresh basil? Place several sprigs of fresh basil into a glass container. Put enough water into the glass to cover the stems but not the leaves. It will remain fresh for weeks, just sitting on the kitchen counter! By changing the water every so often, your basil will develop roots. Trim your basil plants once in awhile to promote more growth, and enjoy your fresh basil for quite a long time.

Whenever you have a meal to cook, if you do your all your prep work ahead of time, it will be much less stressful and quicker. Check recipes to find out what can be prepared ahead of time without risking spoilage. Many of the preparatory steps can be taken a day before cooking. Completing half the work ahead of time makes cooking time quicker and more enjoyable.

As stated before, there are some tricks and secrets you have to learn in order to be a good cook. Some of the tips that were found in this article can even help well-established cooks become better. The information found in the article should have helped you learn what you need to do to be a great cook.