Try These Simple Tips And Learn How To Cook Good Food

Have you ever eaten something at a five-star restaurant and wanted to buy the secret recipe? Perhaps you have tried to reproduce your favorite dishes at home. Use the following tips to learn how to make your favorite meals, and create new ones, for all occasions. Cooking can be an enjoyable activity for anyone.

Always store your spices in a cool and dark place. The flavor of the spices and herbs will decrease if they are kept in areas with light, humidity, and heat. Herbs and spices that are ground usually remain flavorful for a year. Spices that are not ground can keep their flavors for 3 to 5 years. Storing spices in glass containers with a tight-fitting lid will keep them best.

When you are baking pastry crusts, try increasing the cooking time a bit. The color should be a darker caramel instead of the pale blond so many people do. This golden color means that the sugar has caramelized, leaving a sweet flavor.

Preparation is key when cooking for family or friends. Be certain that you have every ingredient you will need on hand. Check the day before you start to cook to make sure that you have everything that you need to cook the dish you have planned. This will help to alleviate your anxiety and maximize your potential.

Always have your spices stored in a dark and cool place. Spices will last longer when they are not exposed to warm temperatures and moist air. Storing your spices in a dark location with a lower temperature will help preserve them longer. Make sure that your spices are fresh to add taste and flavor to any meal.

Try this quick and handy trick to salvage your efforts. Take one tablespoon corn starch, and combine with two tablespoons water in a mixing bowl. Thicken your sauce by stirring in this solution. However, it is important that the sauce is stirred often while the mixture is being added so as to stop it becoming too thick.

Slicing meat is easier if the meat is frozen. This is perfect for meals that require really thin meat such as Chinese or Thai dishes. The meat holds a tighter form when the it is partially frozen making the strips clean cut with out any stretching of the meat. Having said that, you must be certain to let the meat strips thaw out prior to cooking them to ensure even cooking.

Longer cooking methods, such as boiling, take out a lot of the healthy nutrients that are found in vegetables. To retain the healthy nutrients, quickly steam or sauté your vegetables, or even better, eat them raw.

Try to cook the foods that you are talented at when you are cooking for a special event. Do not attempt to whip up a new dish or use an ingredient you have never used before. This can keep your stress levels in check while you cook.

You are now beginning your journey to becoming a great at-home-chef. Instead of preparing the same old meals you will be able to expand your knowledge of places around the world by preparing recipes for foods from different cultures. Because there are so many different foods from so many different cultures, the possibilities are endless!