There is no one in the world who is incapable of learning how to cook. Some people just need a little more practice than others. Lots of people make the mistake of giving up learning to cook after failing to get a recipe right the first time but cooking requires knowledge to really succeed. Here are some tips to help you on the right track.
Damp paper towel and a plastic bag can extend the life of your greens. If you wrap your fresh herbs or fresh greens with a damp paper towel and then place them in a plastic bag, they will last longer. They will normally stay fresh three to four days longer if you do.
Your cake can be ruined if the baking powder is too old. In most cases, you don’t remember when you bought the box you have just found in the cupboard. Don’t gamble with it, test it. Put one tablespoon of baking powder in one third cup of water. If it fizzes, it’s good to use. If not, throw it away and buy a new box because what you have is too old.
Before you start cooking or baking make sure you have all the ingredients gathered together. This will save you time and prevent cooking mishaps. You’ll have a better product in the end.
Cooking a big meal? Do the preparations the day or night before! This way, you will have less to do on the day you are going to make your meal. For instance, if a salad will be part of your meal, make it the night before.
Ginger roots can be used for several dishes so it’s worth learning how to store them. For a few days you can just put them in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer. For a much longer storage, freeze the unpeeled ginger root and cut the piece you need while it is frozen.
If you are going to be making chicken stock, it is best to go big or not at all. Instead of making a single serving, make a whole stock pot and save the leftovers so you can freeze them. Stock is perfect for many dishes like stew, soup, and even casseroles. Allow the stock to cool before freezing it in durable, Ziploc bags.
You need to remember to poke holes in a pie crust before you put it into the oven. A pie crust made from scratch can be very delicious, but if tiny holes are not poked with a fork, it will cause the crust to bubble in places which can make it difficult to fill with yummy ingredients.
You should cook chicken stew if you need to make a quick meal. Take a carton of chicken broth and put it in a large stock pot. Add cooked shredded chicken, diced potatoes, carrots, green beans and onions to the pot. Season to taste and cook for three hours on low. It is a tasty meal that does not take a lot of work.
Without an education in cooking and an understanding of techniques and ingredients, cooking will be difficult. Cooking is both an art and a science and there must be a foundation for both, in order to succeed. Take these tips and get yourself into the kitchen and start getting those pots ready to boil!