Have Fun In The Kitchen With These Simple Tips

Kimberly Olsen Oct 14, 2012 · 6 min read

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Many people consider cooking a very rewarding and relaxing hobby. A very aromatic kitchen with plenty of fresh ingredients is almost certain to brighten your day. Yet, sometimes finding the right advice and recipes can be difficult. Below, you will read some good tips that you can apply the next time you decide to cook a meal.

TIP! Don’t try out a new recipe on important guests or a special occasion. Whether you are looking to impress a boss, the in-laws or a potential mate, it is not the time to be daring.

When food is being sauteed, make the pan is not overloaded. The moisture from the large pool of oil will douse the food you planned to saute and make a greasy, limp mess. Do not raise the temperature too much.

TIP! Always read the labels of the ingredients you buy. Many common items contain unhealthy hidden ingredients.

Winter Greens

TIP! Store unripened fruits in a plastic container that has holes in it. When fruits go through the ripening process, they release ethylene gas.

Enjoy hardy winter greens. Once the first frost occurs, winter greens like kale, collards and broccoli rabe taste a lot sweeter. Pick the greens that have a really bright strong color, and stay away from those that seem yellow or a little limp. Make sure you wash all the dirt off these greens. Place the greens in cool water and rinse them until the water is clear.

TIP! To make your cooking less stressful, get all of your ingredients ready before you start. That way, you won’t be halfway into a recipe and lack something you require.

To avoid burning your food, stay organized. When your station is organized, you will be more productive. Being unorganized when you are cooking can lead to you wasting a lot of money and food.

TIP! When cooking ground meat, blot it dry before cooking. The reason for the blotting is to remove the surface moisture.

Try cooking with saffron if you are all about trying new spices. You can give your cooking a great flavor from the spice saffron. Saffron is a very old herb that is still used today. This spice is expensive, but its flavor can drastically improve most of your dishes.

TIP! When you are making chicken stock, think big. Make enough stock so that you can freeze the excess and use it later.

While cooking or baking, wash the dishes as your sauce simmers or your cookies bake. Put some hot soapy water in a fresh sink on one side and keep clear water you can use as a rinse on the other side. Utensils and mixing bowls are easiest to cleaned directly after their use, and can be used again during the same meal preparation.

TIP! To maintain nutrients and color in your vegetables, quickly steam them until just crisp-tender. Vegetables which are cooked slowly can lose their taste and valuable nutrients.

Don’t eat your meal right away. It is often overlooked, but it makes a difference when you let the food sit and allow the flavors to be absorbed. You may be tempted to serve people as soon as the meal comes out of the oven. However, you will miss out on great food if you do. Give your meal enough time to cool, and new flavors will appear.

TIP! All of the prep work can be done ahead of time. It is important to have all the prep work done before you start cooking.

Consider mixing flavored butter for a simple method of adding some additional flavor to your corn or rolls. Soften the butter in the microwave, or leave it on the kitchen counter for a while. Next, blend your butter with garlic, fresh herbs or sauces. You can always add a little honey, lemon juice, or hot spice.

TIP! Being properly prepared is key to success in cooking for your family and friends. Always have all ingredients before starting to cook.

Fix a broken pie crust! Sometimes when you’re rolling out pie dough it will end up with places that are showing cracks. Sprinkle a little water on the crack, then use your index finger to rub the dough together. If the cracks happen to be on the top of the crust, just brush a little milk on it, then sprinkle with sugar. After it gets baked, the crust will be beautifully glazed and the cracks will be hidden.

TIP! If you enjoy fish, try catching your own to save money. If a person can catch and cook his or her own fish, the family will enjoy a fresh seafood dish that has been truly earned.

Many liquids are interchangeable within a recipe; try replacing the water or milk with something new. Use chicken broth, beef, or juice in places where you would normally use water. Instead of milk, try sour cream, yogurt or buttermilk. Using different liquids can add nutritional value, while at the same time punching up bland, old recipes.

TIP! If you are cooking a meal that is meant for a big family gathering, there is a good chance that you will be stressed by the idea. Cut vegetables and fruit, measure ingredients, and marinate meat up to 24 hours before cooking.

You can dry out your own tomatoes. Prepare by cutting ripe tomatoes into half-inch-thick slices or slicing Roma tomatoes in half down their long axis. Put the tomatoes, cut-side up, onto a cooling rack and give them a light salting. Place the rack on top of a cookie sheet, and bake the tomatoes in an oven set at 190 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 10 hours. Keep the tomatoes fresh by storing them in freezer bags. Dried tomatoes could also be put in a jar with fresh herbs and topped up with olive oil. Place in the refrigerator and consume within two weeks.

TIP! Don’t mix unfamiliar wine into your food. Wine that you don’t like or haven’t tried can ruin the way you feel about the food.

Cutting Board

TIP! Fresh apples can be a delicious ingredient for a wide variety of recipes. Apples need to be kept loosely in plastic bags while in your refrigerator or basement because they rot in dry, warm air.

When chopping fresh herbs, sprinkle a small amount of salt on the cutting board. This keeps your herbs on the cutting board and can add a bit of flavor, as well. Do not add more salt as you are cutting the herbs. If you put salt on your cutting board it will give your herbs a little more flavor.

TIP! Before you begin to cook, you must make sure that your kitchen utensils are clean. Bits of food on your utensils could contaminate the dish you are cooking.

One good way to store extra sauce is to freeze it using ice cube trays. This way, the next time you want some sauce, all you need to do is saute it in a pan. Don’t worry; the sauce will taste delicious after being frozen in an ice cube tray!

TIP! Buy your fish or meat on the bone. You can stash raw or cooked bones in zippered freezer bags and place them in your freezer until you have enough for a batch of stock.

Cooking vegetables for a long time in a boiling liquid will remove nutrients that are found in them. Quick cooking methods like steaming and sauteing will retail flavor and nutrients better. You can also enjoy vegetables in their raw state to get a boost of natural energy!

TIP! Spices should be stored in a cool, dark area so that they stay as fresh as they can for as long as possible. If you keep spices above the oven or in hot places, they will lose their flavor.

As this article has discussed, cooking is revered by many as an excellent and enjoyable hobby. However, some people don’t know where to start, in terms of picking the right recipes or using the proper techniques. Follow this article’s advice and you will be on your way to cooking great food.

TIP! Be considerate to those who will be consuming your meals by reserving many spices for later addition. There are many great spices, such as salt, cayenne, or garlic powder.

Ron & Kimberly Olsen
Blogging to the Bank

PS – Learn how I dropped 50 pounds in 6 months with the Body
By VI 90 Day Challenge.