How many times have you dreaded going into the kitchen to make breakfast, lunch, or dinner? You might need a new perspective. Cooking can be enjoyable and relaxing if you try to see it in another way. Here are a few cooking tips that are sure to get your taste buds tingling and entice your inner chef to come out.
To make slicing thin strips easier, you need to freeze the meat slightly first. This method is especially useful when preparing Chinese or Thai entrees. There’s less tearing of the semi-frozen meat as it’s cleanly sliced. However, the meat strips should be thawed to assure even cooking.
Spices should be stored in a cool and dark place. Your spices will not last as long if they are exposed to light, heat or humidity. Keeping your spices in darkened, cool areas will lend extra longevity and flavor. Using fresh spices makes meals even more delicious.
Always have your spices stored in a dark and cool place. By storing them in excessive light and heat, their shelf life will decrease. Your spices will have a longer shelf life and retain their good taste if stored in a dark, cool spot. If you use fresh spices, your food will taste better.
Beans or tofu are excellent sources of protein that you may not have yet considered adding to your diet. Both can be found at any grocery store. Make a yummy meat alternative by pan frying the tofu with some seasonings. Beans may be boiled with herbs for a delicious protein source.
Substitute water for other more flavorful liquids, in order to spice up your meals. Broth is a great substitute for water, and milk adds delicious flavor and extra nutrition to soups and stews. Try to use buttermilk, yogurt, or sour cream in place of milk. Using liquid substitutions in your cooking can increase nutrition and give a standby dish a new flavor.
When you make chicken stock, a good piece of advice is to make it in a big quantity. Fill a large pot of stock and freeze it for later. That tasty chicken stock is very versatile and can be perfect for your next stew, casserole or soup. Once your stock is finished, cool it and put it in heavy freezer bags.
This way, you have fruits that stay fresh throughout the year. An added bonus is that you are going to be able to eat fruit that is not in season and is therefore unavailable elsewhere during certain periods.
Take a look at the nutrition facts when you buy ingredients to cook with. A lot of items you purchase at the grocery store will have a laundry list of unwanted substances in there. Too much salt, sugar, and those dreaded unpronounceable chemicals can really alter the flavors of dishes and be generally unhealthy for you.
Do not forget to replace your spices twice a year. The flavors of spices fade just a few months after opening the container. If you know you can’t use as much as is in the package, give some to a family member or friend to keep from wasting it.
Use these tips and see how much they help your cooking skills. Use each idea at least once. You will certainly benefit from putting these ideas into practice. If you are committed to learning these tips, you can quickly become a much better cook.
My Daily Resources 