Cooking is a pastime that brings tremendous pleasure to many and can also provide sustenance to you and your loved ones. Learning as much as possible about cooking is a great way to get the most out of the effort you put into the process. Apply a few of the tips in the article that follows, and you will be creating memorable culinary delights in no time.
Consider recipes to be guidelines rather than rules. Feel free to branch out and switch up the spices or add an extra ingredient. Before long you will be compiling your own personal collection of altered recipes that are better than the original thing. Not only will you will also be able to impress your friends with unique dishes, but you will become a better cook as you experiment with changing recipes.
It is extremely embarrassing to have lumps in your gravy. It happens to everybody from the beginner cook to the master chef. There is a simple trick you can use to eliminate them. Drain the gravy through a fine strainer and discard the lumps. This technique can be used for other sauces or soups too.
Always add oil to the side of the pan when sautéing. If you find that you need more oil in your pan while you are cooking, never put it right in the middle. Add it to the side of your pan. That way, it will be sufficiently heated by the time it reaches the food.
If you are cooking meats that need seasoning, season a small piece first before making the entire meal. Many foods such as hamburgers, meatloaf and meatballs need careful and specific seasoning. Avoid cooking the entire batch immediately after seasoning the meat. Cook a bit of the mixture before you continue to cook the entire batch to ensure that the seasonings are correct. Once you have tried your sample you can correct the seasoning or proceed with the cooking.
Saute tired salad greens. If your salad greens have seen better days, don’t discard them – saute them! Salad greens such as radicchio, arugula and endive make a tasty side dish when sauteed. Cook them quickly in olive oil, chopped garlic and sea salt. Sprinkle with a little bacon and goat cheese, and you will be happy that you didn’t throw away those unused salad greens!
Take the guesswork out of reducing liquids. When a recipe calls for you to cook until the liquid is reduced by a certain amount, dip the handle of a wooden spoon into the liquid to mark the depth. This will leave a line on the wooden spoon. Later, you can dip the spoon again to see how much the liquid has actually reduced.
There are few hobbies as satisfying and rewarding as cooking. Not only can you flex your creative muscles, you can also provide delicious meals for your family. Expanding your knowledge of cooking is certain to enhance your time in the kitchen. Taking these tips and hints to heart is a wonderful way to do just that.