Tips For How To Be A Better Cook

There are a lot of different ways you can cook and ways to do it, and you can have a good experience. Some cooking methods are simple while others are more complex. The following article will provide you with some easy and quick tips on how to be a better cook, no matter how skilled you are.

If you keep herbs and spices handy, make sure you are keeping them in a dark, cool area. Their flavors are weakened significantly by things like heat, light and humidity. Do not expect your spices to last more than a year. Spices that have not been ground have the potential to last upwards of five years. The length of time that they stay fresh depends on how they are stored.

If you are baking crusts for a pie or tart, you will probably need to bake them for a while longer than you thought. They should be a light golden brown instead of pale in color. When you see the golden color it indicates carmelization, which lends a crisp, sweet flavor to the pie crust.

Sharp knives are imperative when being used in the kitchen. 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. You are more likely to get cut exerting force on a dull knife to slice a vegetable than you are when using a sharp knife.

If you have little time to cook each day, you can partially prepare certain foods to break up the cooking process into several steps. Look through your recipes and determine whether or not certain steps can be completed beforehand. Much of the preparation can be done the day before it is needed. Even if you are faced with a challenging recipe, it can make everything go quickly.

While garlic is excellent for cooking, it can also be absorbed into your hands. After you have finished doing your prep work with the garlic, run your hands along the stainless steel interior of your sink. This handy trick cleanses your hands so the smell will not be transferred to what you are going to touch next.

When it's time to cook your meat, has it ever been an issue trying to decide how long to grill it for? Use a good meat thermometer (a digital one is more accurate) so that you can ensure the inside is cooked correctly. Put the grill lid on to reduce cooking time for cuts that are more than an inch and a half thick.

When you are making chicken stock, think in terms of high volume. If you make a large amount of stock you can freeze it for future use. Many great recipes including soups, casseroles and stews call for a base of chicken stock. To preserve your stock for future use, just simply make sure that it is stored in heavy duty freezer bags and frozen solid. This way the stock should keep for several months or so.

Usually, meals that are not up to par is the result of changing a simple recipe into something more difficult. Try to keep it simple and you can create wonderful, tasty meals that are fast and healthy! Use the tips presented here and come up with a few cooking ideas of your own. Happy eating!