Cook Great Food Like Your Mama Used To Do
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>> Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Many of us would jump at the chance to become a great chef, but the process involved can be totally overwhelming. Fortunately, you can learn to become a great cook step-by-step. This article is a perfect starting point for your journey!
If you make sauce, freeze it into ice cubs to use later on. All you need to do next time you want to use it, is reheat in a saucepan. The sauce will be very edible after it comes out of the trays.
If you are just beginning your adventure with home cooking, look online, at a bookstore, or at the library for a cookbook that has simple, easy recipes that you'll take pleasure in both preparing and eating. Be as patient as you can be when you are learning how to cook.
Tomatoes can be easily dried. Start by slicing a ripe tomato one-half inch thick, or you can cut Roma tomatoes in half lengthwise. You should place them on cooling rack, and salt them lightly with the cut side up. Place the cooling rack on a cookie sheet and dry in a 190 degree oven for up to 10 hours. Once done, you can store them in your freezer in plastic bags. Another option is to store dried tomatoes in a jar that contains fresh, flavorful herbs and olive oil. This will be good for up to two weeks, and should be refrigerated during that time.
To use up odds and ends of veggies and meats lingering in your fridge before shopping day, throw together a tasty wok of fried rice. While cooking a wok of rice is best with day-old rice, fresh rice with less added water can also work. Fry up your veggies and meat in a little bit of oil, then add rice, and season your dish with garlic, soy sauce, ginger, white pepper and any other seasonings you like.
If you are cooking pancakes or waffles in the morning, you can put them in the oven so they will stay warm until you are ready to serve them. A 300 degree oven is an appropriate temperature. Keep the food on a plate in the oven so that it will stay warm.
Make sure you use a thermometer to see if the meat is done. Different types of meat have a certain internal temperature that is considered safe to eat. Meat that has not been cooked sufficiently can have bacteria growing in it, and these can cause illness if eaten.
When cooking, be creative. You don't always have to follow the recipe word for word. Experimenting fearlessly with cooking, adding a new ingredient, cutting one out, and changing amounts is how great new recipes are born. You will not become a real cook by just following what cookbooks say.
Popular French fried potato recipes suggest soaking the potatoes in water for 30 minutes before cooking them. Letting sliced potatoes soak up additional cold fluids reinforces the fibers in the vegetable, so that when you deep fry them, they can better withstand the heat without breaking down completely.
As you are cooking, develop a habit of washing your dishes right after you use them. To make it easy, just have one sink filled with soapy water and fill the other side with rinse water. Washing the dishes as you go along will make the final clean up much easier.
To get a firm shell for twice baked potatoes or potato skins, use a baking potato with a thicker skin. Red potatoes have too thin a skin to hold a thicker filling.
You can use some spices after food has already finished cooking. There are many great spices, such as salt, cayenne, or garlic powder. People differ in their preferences for the amount and types of spice they like on their food. Instead of putting them on your food let the people eating choose. That way each person can make it their own.
A complex, poorly understood recipe is a great way to turn a potentially marvelous meal into a mess. Sticking to simple and easy recipes is the best way to ensure that you will have a tasty, healthy meal in a short amount of time. Use the tips presented here and come up with a few cooking ideas of your own. Happy eating!
If you make sauce, freeze it into ice cubs to use later on. All you need to do next time you want to use it, is reheat in a saucepan. The sauce will be very edible after it comes out of the trays.
If you are just beginning your adventure with home cooking, look online, at a bookstore, or at the library for a cookbook that has simple, easy recipes that you'll take pleasure in both preparing and eating. Be as patient as you can be when you are learning how to cook.
Tomatoes can be easily dried. Start by slicing a ripe tomato one-half inch thick, or you can cut Roma tomatoes in half lengthwise. You should place them on cooling rack, and salt them lightly with the cut side up. Place the cooling rack on a cookie sheet and dry in a 190 degree oven for up to 10 hours. Once done, you can store them in your freezer in plastic bags. Another option is to store dried tomatoes in a jar that contains fresh, flavorful herbs and olive oil. This will be good for up to two weeks, and should be refrigerated during that time.
To use up odds and ends of veggies and meats lingering in your fridge before shopping day, throw together a tasty wok of fried rice. While cooking a wok of rice is best with day-old rice, fresh rice with less added water can also work. Fry up your veggies and meat in a little bit of oil, then add rice, and season your dish with garlic, soy sauce, ginger, white pepper and any other seasonings you like.
If you are cooking pancakes or waffles in the morning, you can put them in the oven so they will stay warm until you are ready to serve them. A 300 degree oven is an appropriate temperature. Keep the food on a plate in the oven so that it will stay warm.
Make sure you use a thermometer to see if the meat is done. Different types of meat have a certain internal temperature that is considered safe to eat. Meat that has not been cooked sufficiently can have bacteria growing in it, and these can cause illness if eaten.
When cooking, be creative. You don't always have to follow the recipe word for word. Experimenting fearlessly with cooking, adding a new ingredient, cutting one out, and changing amounts is how great new recipes are born. You will not become a real cook by just following what cookbooks say.
Popular French fried potato recipes suggest soaking the potatoes in water for 30 minutes before cooking them. Letting sliced potatoes soak up additional cold fluids reinforces the fibers in the vegetable, so that when you deep fry them, they can better withstand the heat without breaking down completely.
As you are cooking, develop a habit of washing your dishes right after you use them. To make it easy, just have one sink filled with soapy water and fill the other side with rinse water. Washing the dishes as you go along will make the final clean up much easier.
To get a firm shell for twice baked potatoes or potato skins, use a baking potato with a thicker skin. Red potatoes have too thin a skin to hold a thicker filling.
You can use some spices after food has already finished cooking. There are many great spices, such as salt, cayenne, or garlic powder. People differ in their preferences for the amount and types of spice they like on their food. Instead of putting them on your food let the people eating choose. That way each person can make it their own.
A complex, poorly understood recipe is a great way to turn a potentially marvelous meal into a mess. Sticking to simple and easy recipes is the best way to ensure that you will have a tasty, healthy meal in a short amount of time. Use the tips presented here and come up with a few cooking ideas of your own. Happy eating!
About the Author:
Tea makes an excellent addition to any meal, hot or cold. If you're looking for a simple way to prepare and serve tea, you should take a look at the Breville tea maker. Other possible options can be seen at this website.
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