A cook never stops learning new recipes and secrets. Even the most experienced cook can better their abilities through learning new techniques. The quick tips and tricks that make cooking less of a hassle are even more important to cooks who are just starting out. Read on for some tips that can help you improve your cooking adventures.
Cut meat thinly across the grain when you are stir-frying. This can sometimes be a tricky undertaking and very time-consuming. Once the meat has become more firm, you should slice against the grain at 45 degrees.
When you do this, you can enjoy your favorite fresh fruits all year. You also have the added benefit of having fruits out of season whenever you want them.
If you are making salsa that is not going to be eaten within 20 minutes and uses raw onions, make sure to use cold water to rinse the diced onions, and blot them dry thoroughly. Fresh onions contain sulfurous gas. After about twenty minutes, the gas can have an effect on the taste of your salsa. By running water over the onions and then drying them off, you get rid of the gas.
Take care to not overfill your pan when you are sauteing. The excess moisture can steam the food versus sauteing, minimizing the chances that you will get that crispness you want. Use a low temperature while doing this, too.
When you know you will have a busy schedule, prepare your meals in advance the previous night. You can serve a hot, satisfying meal quicker and with less stress if you have it prepared when cooking time rolls around. Mix up a casserole and store it in the fridge, or chop up all the ingredients needed for a stir-fry, for example.
Before cooking ground beef, pat it gently to remove moisture. One good secret should always be blotting away at the built up moisture upon the meat’s surface. If the moisture is left in the beef, it will be released when you start to cook it. Instead, it can sizzle away. As a result, your meat may steam instead of searing.
Don’t waste the leftovers when you cook a turkey, whether it is for Thanksgiving or any other meal. Instead, cut them up and put them in an airtight package and place it in your freezer. Turkey will stay fresh for a couple weeks and you can use it in sandwiches or a salad.
Before purchasing items to prepare any type of dish, it is important that you read the labels of the item. Most cooking supplies have hidden ingredients that could be unhealthy. Look for hidden amounts of sodium and sugar that will contribute over time to reduced health.
Much like a sponge, the mushrooms will absorb the water. You should use a clean, wet cloth and wipe the mushroom off by hand.
When you are making butter and sugar into a cream for cookies, soften the butter, but don’t melt it. If it does melt, put the bowl in the freezer long enough for it harden a little bit, or when you are done mixing the ingredients together refrigerate the dough. When the dough is colder it will not spread as much when you’re making cookies.
Even experienced cooks can learn new tips that make their time in the kitchen easier and more enjoyable. For the neophyte cook, every little bit of information helps cultivate those fledgling cooking skills. Try out some of these tips to see how much more enjoyable and accomplished your cooking becomes.