Most people see cooking as a menial chore. Something that should be enjoyed is cooking. Cooking can also be one of the best ways to be a healthier person. The best cooks are those who are always willing to learn new techniques. Furthering your knowledge also makes the cooking experience far more pleasurable; use the following tips to help you grow as a cook.
There are times when you want to keep food warm, such as a large batch of pancakes or waffles, until you are ready to eat. Heat your oven to 300 degrees. When you are cooking your waffles and pancakes, keep them on a plate in your oven as you finish with them to prevent them from getting cold.
Mashed Potatoes
It is possible to lower the fat and calorie content of mashed potatoes without impacting the taste or texture by replacing some of the potato content with cauliflower. Cauliflower’s bland taste makes it easier for it to blend with the potatoes, so that you can’t taste it, and it picks up other ingredients. Additionally, cauliflower has the same texture and color as mashed potatoes, so it makes it an easy, healthy addition to your dish.
Stacking cooling racks are a baker’s best friend. Especially if you are whipping up big batches of your favorites cookies or other goodies, the results of your baking can take up a considerable amount of space in your kitchen – space you could better utilize. Stacking cooling racks keep all of your finished batches confined to one small space. By using these vertical racks, your treats can cool while you have free space to do some work that needs done.
Organize your materials as best as possible, if you desire to prevent the hazards of burns in the kitchen. Organizing your kitchen cooking area creates a more productive kitchen. When you are disorganized, misplacing items or making food inedible becomes much more likely.
Try different liquids in recipes calling for water or milk to add some new flavors to your meals. In place of water, try adding beef or chicken broth, juice or even water used to cook vegetables. If your favorite recipes call for milk, try substituting with buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream. Adding different and interesting liquids to a recipe can help the dish become more interesting and nutritious.
Keep flour, sugar and other items for baking in tins with seals that keep the air out. Avoid exposure to moisture and insects by sealing food in airtight containers. These are carried in many stores and make a wise investment.
For stress-free cooking, you should prepare all necessary ingredients before you begin. When you do this, you won’t find yourself hunting for an ingredient half way through the cooking session. The process of gathering the ingredients may not be quicker if you do it prior or during, but it will save you time and headaches doing it beforehand since you won’t lose your cooking focus when you are in the middle of a recipe.
Have you felt guilty for throwing out some moldy fruits? Do not cut the rotten part and eat the rest. Never try to salvage fruit that is past its prime. Mold grows deeper than on the surface, and because it can make you sick, you should throw away any partially rotten fruit.
Again, good cooks are always looking for new ideas. The best part about cooking is not simply meal preparation, but learning about all the kinds of foods, ingredients and techniques. A good cook is also one who shares their knowledge to help others become good cooks. Cooking is a skill which should be be developed and sharpened, as well as shared with other people.
