Great Cooking Tips That Everyone Should Know

Few things are more enjoyable than sitting down to a well-cooked meal at home. Few things are more appreciated. Here are some tips to help you raise your game a level in cooking. You will find tips here on technique, ingredients, cookware, ethnic dishes, time-saving methods and much more. Bon apetit!

If you are unsure of your boiling potatoes are done it would help if you stuck them with a knife. If the potato comes out of the water stuck on the knife then it means that they are not ready yet, but if they slide off easily then they are done.

Store your spices in a cool, dark place, such as a cabinet or pantry. One of the biggest cooking mistakes people make is storing herbs and spices above the stove. The heat, humidity and light will causes herbs and spices to lose their flavor. For the most flavorful meals, take good care of your spices.

Do not feel as though you must follow every recipe to the letter. While cook times and techniques are less flexible, you can often leave out ingredients that you don’t like, especially spices or other non-essential ingredients. You can also add ingredients that you think will be more pleasing to your or your family’s palates.

When it comes to seasoning fish, less is more. Use simple seasonings that will not overpower the natural flavor of the fish. Pull it off the grill or from the oven and finish it with a splash of lemon. Lemon will always enhance the flavor of the fish, regardless of how it has already been seasoned.

Try parsnips for a change! A lot of people tend to avoid parsnips, as they are not exactly sure how to cook them. Look for a creamy white or beige parsnip with a smooth skin. Cut into 2 inch long ‘sticks’ and roast in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes. They impart an intense nutty flavor that is nothing like the boiled parsnips that you remember from your youth!

Always read a new recipe thoroughly before you begin cooking, preheating, or prepping. This prevents the hassles of running into surprise ingredients, equipment, or techniques and gives you a chance to hunt down substitutions–or a new recipe–if needed. Ideally, read the recipe before you do your shopping to ensure that you grab everything you need.

When you need to package cupcakes individually for bake sales, table decorations, or party favors place each cupcake in a clear plastic punch cup, then wrap the cup–from the bottom–with clear or colored cellophane. Use a twist tie, a piece of twine, or ribbon to secure the wrapping at the top.

When you are cooking pasta the best way to do so is to rely on using at least one gallon of water for every pound of pasta. If you do not use enough water and a pot that is big enough the pasta will surely stick and become starchy when cooking.

These tips have served up a smorgasbord of new delights for you to attempt in the kitchen. They have suggested ways to improve your skills and get great results expeditiously and more economically. With these in hand you can make the food you serve your family more delicious and exciting than ever.