Everyone needs to know how to cook. Eating home cooked meals can be delicious while also saving you money over restaurant meals.
Buy fish and meat on the bone. All of the bones can be stored in freezer bags, so you can use them at another time.
Try putting some cauliflower in with your mashed potatoes to cut some calories and fat. Cauliflower tends to have a bland taste, so this will blend nicely with the potatoes, and will pick up other ingredients, as well. Cauliflower has the same texture and color as potatoes, offering you a perfect way to add another vegetable to your dish while cutting calories.
When trying to cut strips of meat, partially freeze it for a more firm cut. This works well for Asian dishes, like Chinese or Thai. Freezing the meat prior to slicing immobilizes the fibers and makes for cleaner, more efficient slices. The strips should be allowed to fully thaw before they are cooked so that they can cook evenly.
Stick to recipes you are comfortable with when you are cooking for important company. Don’t try to create a new dish when you’re not experienced in cooking it already. When you always strive to follow this, your time in the kitchen will result in less stress.
Cutting Boards
You need to properly care for a wooden cutting board. To keep your wooden cutting board in top shape, avoid exposing it to excess moisture. Cutting boards should never be immersed in water, but cleaned with a soapy sponge and rinsed off. Bring a damaged wood board back to life with regular oiling, using only oil made for cutting boards. Let the board dry thoroughly before you use it.
After purchasing fruits that are not quite ripe, store them in a plastic bag that is perforated with holes. Fruit produces ethylene gas as it ripens. In the perforated plastic bag, the ethylene gas will stay trapped, allowing the fruit to ripen deliciously.
Fresh Herbs
You should utilize fresh seasoning and herbs when you are cooking a dish that is simple. Applying dried herbs, such as oregano or basil, to your dish is fine as long as the dish contains many flavors and is complex. However, fresh herbs will brighten any dish and improve its flavor. A successful method in ensuring a constant supply of fresh herbs available is to have a tiny herb garden.
Consider creating your own stock, in order to add some customized flavor to your dishes. Made in large batches, it’s easy to store in the freezer, if you use resealable plastic bags. This way you will always have flavorful homemade stock on hand when you want to make soups or other dishes. By making and having your own stock on hand, you will know it doesn’t contain preservatives.
By following these tips, you’ll be cooking homemade meals in no time. As your skills improve, you will see how simple it is to prepare healthy and delicious meals, while also saving money. If you cook for your family, your new-found skills can even improve all of their lifestyles. There is no better time to start preparing your own meals than right now.