Let these tips inspire you to pursue new culinary heights.
You should keep your spices and herbs in a space that is cool and away from light. Warmth, humidity and light will make them stale and unflavorful. Herbs and ground spices usually retain their flavor up to a year. Spices that are whole will retain flavor longer, closer to 3-5 years. As long as they are stored properly, they will hold onto their flavor for several years.
The prep work comes first. Try to have the prep work completed before cooking; this is important. Trying to cook a meal that has to be on the table by a certain time can be stressful. Get everything prepared at least a day ahead of time.
Soaking raw potatoes for 30 minutes prior to frying will produce the crispiest French fries. Soaking the potatoes helps to make the fibers within them stronger, which makes them better able to handle the heat during frying.
Flour, baking mixes and sugar should be stored in airtight containers. Keeping your ingredients in airtight containers will stop them from spoiling or being infected with bugs. They can be bought in lots of places, and it is an investment worth making.
When adding seasonings to meat, test a small amount before seasoning the whole batch. Burgers, meatloaf and meatballs require proper seasoning to taste their best. Avoid cooking all of it after it’s been seasoned. Instead, make a little piece into a patty and cook it first. This is a good way to find out if you got the seasoning right.
If you’ve made a big pot of sauce, freeze the leftovers by pouring the extra sauce into ice cube trays. When you feel the need to create another meal, you will have them handy to heat up. Freezing the sauce into cubes in the trays is safe and convenient!
If you want to make chicken stock, you might as well make a lot of it. Make enough stock so that you can freeze the excess and use it later. You can use that delicious chicken stock in stews, casseroles, and soups. Put the stock into freezer bags and put it in your freezer.
If you want to make chicken stock, you might as well make a lot of it. Fill a large pot of stock and freeze it for later. Good homemade chicken stock is a wonderful base in soups, stews, casseroles and more. Freeze premeasured amounts of your stock in freezer proof containers or bags when cool.
If your recipe calls for a liquid, try using something other than water or milk. This will add a spark to that tired old dish. If the recipe calls for water, switch it up by using a broth, juice, or cooking liquids. You can substitute buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream in place of the milk. Changing up the liquids in your recipes can add nutrition, while livening up a standby dish.
As this article has discussed, cooking is revered by many as an excellent and enjoyable hobby. However, some people don’t know where to start, in terms of picking the right recipes or using the proper techniques. Follow this article’s advice and you will be on your way to cooking great food.
My Daily Resources 