If you know zip, zilch, nada about cooking, you have to begin learning somehow. Most people weren’t natural born cooks. The good news is that everyone can learn how to become a good cook. You must seek out the knowledge necessary for taking your food from boring to amazing. The tips below are sure to prove helpful and put you on the right path in your culinary endeavors.
If you have not yet cooked with skewers you should definitely consider this fact. If you are choosing to use a metal skewer you can choose from round or flattened skewers. Skewers that are not round will better hold food in place on the skewer.
Cooking with skewers can provide very beneficial if you use them properly. For metal skewers, twisted or square types will better hold the food than round ones.
Keep all dried spices in a dark space that stays room temperature. Exposure to humidity, light and heat all affect the flavor of your spices. In general, herbs and spices that are ground will retain their flavor for up to one year. Whole spices can keep their flavor for up to five years. Store your spices correctly to make them last.
If you would like to start cooking more food on your own, take a trip to a local library or bookstore where you can find many cookbooks with recipes you can enjoy making at home. Try a few recipes, and be patient with yourself as you are mastering this new skill.
If you are preparing stir-fry, be sure to slice the meat on the bias and very thin. This technique is somewhat tricky and can take a little time. Once the meat has become more firm, you should slice against the grain at 45 degrees.
When preparing stir-fry dishes, slice meat as thinly as possible and on its bias. Slicing the meat can take a lot of time and be rather tricky. Remove the meat when it is firm but before it freezes, and cut at an angle of 45 degrees against the grain.
Corn Starch
Many people find slicing meat into thin strips very difficult; however, if you partially freeze the meat, the task is much simpler. This is the perfect technique when you are making Thai or Chinese food. The knife can cut the partly frozen meat with less damage than if it were thawed. This is because the partially frozen meat fibers are not as easily stretched or torn. However, to make sure that the meat cooks evenly, take the time to let it thaw out prior to cooking.
Even if you have screwed up in this way, there is a fix that will still let you use it right away. In a medium sized bowl, mix together 1 tblsp water and 2 tblsp corn starch. Continually stir the sauce while adding corn starch slowly. Stir constantly as you pour the cornstarch and water mixture slowly into the pot.
Consider freezing your meat a bit so that it will be easier to slice. This is the perfect technique when you are making Thai or Chinese food. The meat holds a tighter form when the it is partially frozen making the strips clean cut with out any stretching of the meat. Though, before cooking the strips, they must completely thaw.
Apples are used in cooking mostly during the fall, but you must make sure they are properly kept so that they do not rot. Warm, dry air rots apples quickly, so keep them in sealed or tied plastic bags and make sure they are stored in a refrigerator or a chilly basement. One rotten apple can actually spoil the whole bag so make sure you keep an eye your apples.
Ice cube trays are fabulous for freezing and storing leftover sauce. This way, the next time you want some sauce, all you need to do is saute it in a pan. Have no fear, for the sauce will taste great even after being frozen in the trays!
When you store flour, sugar or any type of baking mixes, always use airtight containers. Bugs can creep into your food, and most food items will become stale if exposed to the open air. These are just a couple of solid reasons that you need solid containment. Airtight containers are your best friends in the kitchen. Airtight containers are a good investment, inexpensive, and readily available.
These will work as a sponge and soak up the water. Get a wet cloth instead, and wipe off each mushroom by hand.
If you are trying to lose weight or lower your cholesterol, try to decrease the amount of fat in your diet. Oils and butters generally contain needless fats. Replace them with a nonstick cooking spray and you won’t notice the difference.
You need to soak wooden skewers in water for approximately thirty minutes prior to using them. By soaking, you can prevent the skewers from burning while cooking your food. Keep food from falling off of your skewers by using two parallel skewers instead of a single one.
Always select fresh garlic for your dishes. Usually, fresh garlic has a sweeter taste. Don’t buy garlic that is soft, shriveled or bruised.
If you have a good recipe, the ability to follow directions and fresh ingredients, you can make a delicious meal. Cooking is easier than you think. Apply the tips that you have read here, and nothing will be able to get in your way.
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