Saturday, February 11, 2012

Doing Better In The Kitchen Is Just A Matter Of A Few Simple Tricks

By John Dorian


There is always room for improvement when it comes to cooking. Even the best chefs can learn new ideas to make their dishes turn out better. There are some great tips that new cooks can learn to make cooking easier. The advice listed here can help you learn more about cooking.

Prepare for your outdoor cooking by starting your barbeque grill so that it's at optimum temperature when you are ready to cook. Plan to start preparing the grilling surface about half an hour before you place food on it. The coals should have an ash covering and should emit medium heat. This is the best temperature for grilling.

Think about how you are going to layer a salad that will be taken to a potluck or severed several hours later. Items like tomatoes, which are juicy, should be on the bottom, while other ingredients that may be more delicate and prone to wilting should go on top.

In order to ensure your meats are being cooked properly, you should make use of a meat thermometer. Meats have a specific internal temperature schedule that determines they are cooked and safe for human consumption. If meat is under cooked, the bacteria in the meat can be consumed, which could result in illness.

When it's time to mash the potatoes for that good ole home-cooked taste, try using hot milk. Using hot, rather than cold, milk results in more fluffed-up and lighter mashed potatoes. Would anyone prefer boring mashed potatoes lacking in smooth texture?

Keep all spices stored out of the sunlight. Your spices will not last as long if they are exposed to light, heat or humidity. Try to find a cool, dark cupboard if you want to increase the flavor and lifespan of your favorite spices. Your food will be even more delicious if your spices are fresher.

You can add new flavors for your meals by trying different liquids when recipes ask for milk or water. If the recipe calls for water, switch it up by using a broth, juice, or cooking liquids. Instead of using milk, you can substitute yogurt, buttermilk or sour cream. Using liquid substitutions in your cooking can increase nutrition and give a standby dish a new flavor.

If you want to make chicken stock, you might as well make a lot of it. Make enough so that you can freeze it and use it in your recipes. Homemade chicken stock makes a great base for casseroles, soups, stews, and many other wonderful dishes. To store your homemade stock, let it cool, pour it into a freezer bag, and stick it in the freezer.

It's fun to learn how to cook more complicated meals. You may even enjoy eating more when you cook the food yourself. Take the tips that you have read here and use them in your cooking regimen, adding personal touches along the way. Your cooking skills will get so good that everyone will ask you to bring these delicacies wherever you go.




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