6 Culinary Tips For The Home Cook

Working in the kitchen for the first time can be thrilling. And while cooking is something that should be taken seriously, it can still be enjoyable.

If you're looking for ways to improve upon your own cooking style, this article is for you. Here are six cooking tips and tricks directly from the pros. These secrets will help to ensure your meal comes out perfect every time!

Prep your meal


Prepare what you need for your meal before you start cooking. Purchase all the ingredients that you need and make a checklist of the equipment you will use. The pros do it and it simplifies the process when you are putting together a big meal. It also leaves less room for error if you prepare all the ingredients ahead of time.

Baking


Before you begin, make sure that all ingredients are pre-measured. Temperature is very important, always follow temperature recommendations as indicated in the recipe. Follow the mixing process precisely. Over-mixing or under-mixing can adversely alter the taste of your finished product. Do not overcrowd your oven and avoid opening the oven door frequently.

Store spices appropriately

While a decorative spice rack conveniently situated above the stove may look nice, it’s not doing your spices any favors. Instead, you should store spices in a cool, dark place. Humidity, light and heat will cause herbs and spices to lose their flavor. The best place to s tore your spices in inside a cabinet door. Keep your top ten spices handy in a cupboard at eye level and stash others out of the way.

Salt the pot, not the pasta

The idea is to salt the water in the cooking pot just as it begins to boil. This way the salt will dissolve into the water. The pasta absorbs the salt along with the water as it cooks. Essentially, you’re salting from the inside out. If you wait to add salt, the pasta will taste bland no mater how delicious your sauce may be. Remember that fresh pasta cooks quickly.

Defrost meat quickly

Letting meat thaw in the refrigerator is always the best option. However, some nights we are in more of a hurry than others. Therefore, you can thaw meat quickly using water. Simply put the frozen meat into a bowl and run cool water over it until it has completely thawed. Never use warm or hot water, as it will start to cook the surface of the meat. Also, don’t leave meat out for more than four hours.

Grilling

Before you put anything on the grill, make sure it is clean. Next, be sure the grill is hot enough before cooking. Grill meat and vegetables about four inches from the heat source. Chicken should be about six to eight inches away. To prevent your food from sticking lightly coat grid with oil. The key to good grilled food is the marinade.


About The Author:

Jackie Ryan is a freelance writer and passionate home chef. Jackie knows that all ovens are inaccurate. She uses oven thermometers to help her more accurately monitor the temperature inside her oven while she's cooking.

Image Credit:
Francisco Antunes