Cooking is an invaluable skill to possess. Learning how to do it well will benefit you in many ways. There are a variety of bonuses in eating a meal cooked at home. It is healthier than takeout, generally more tasty, and you’re saving money by remaining at home.
Spices should be stored in a cool and dark place. Your spices will not last as long if they are exposed to light, heat or humidity. Keep spices fresh by storing them away from light and humidity. You can prepare tastier meals if you use fresher spices.
If you are cooking for someone you want to impress, cook something you already know how to make. Never try to cook a new recipe or use a new ingredient that you have not tried before. This will help to make cooking more enjoyable and less stressful.
If you want to reduce the amount of calories and fat in a mashed potato dish, substitute cauliflower for some of the potatoes. Since cauliflower is bland, it will mix right in with the potatoes along with the other ingredients. Cauliflower has the same texture and color as potatoes, offering you a perfect way to add another vegetable to your dish while cutting calories.
Are you using basil? Try putting a bunch of basil that is fresh inside a glass. Submerge the stems in water. Place it on your kitchen counter to keep it fresh for weeks! If you occasionally change the water, the basil will eventually grow its roots under water. Trim or cut the basil regularly to encourage growth and you will be able to enjoy fresh basil!
Fresh Ingredients
It is always better to choose fresh ingredients for your recipes instead of dried or frozen ones. Fresh ingredients can really enhance the flavor of your meal, as well as be more economical to prepare.
Always make sure that your flour, sugar and baking additives are stored in airtight containers. These sorts of containers will help keep all of your foods fresh and safe from bugs. Airtight containers are a good investment, inexpensive, and readily available.
Make a lot of stock if you are going to make it ahead of time. If you make a large amount of stock you can freeze it for future use. You can use the stock as a base for all kinds of soups or even casseroles. Allow the stock to cool before freezing it in durable, Ziploc bags.
You will have fresh fruits all year long. This also gives you the advantage of having fruits available off-season.
Try adding seasoning over the entire cooking process instead of putting on all your seasoning on at the beginning. Add a little spice every few minutes. This adds a more subtle and deep flavor to your food and enhances the flavors of other ingredients to the utmost.
Whenever you have cooked a whole turkey, never throw away your leftovers. Instead of tossing out the leftovers, store them in a container that is airtight and place in the freezer. The turkey will stay fresh for several weeks, and you can use it for sandwiches or salads.
By applying the tips in the above article, learning to cook food from home is very easy to do. As you practice your culinary skills, you will learn that home cooking saves you money and allows you to prepare tasty food exactly the way you like it. Also, good home cooked meals will give not only you, but your entire family, a much healthier lifestyle. Start now with a simple recipe and have fun while you create good food.