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Learn Some Great Helpful Cooking Tips And Tricks
By Cheap Electric Cookware
January 31 ,2012
Cooking is a vital skill that everyone should have. But it doesn't
always come easily to everyone. So below are a few tips that've been
accumulated to help you become a better cook. With these tips, you won't
have to worry about producing a meal that nobody wants to eat again.
When it comes to cooking, be sure that you are not using ingredients
that are obviously bad for your health or the health of others. This is
important because your diet is one of the most important ways that you
can help to control your own health and well being.
If you are out of bread crumbs you can try these simple substitutions in
your recipe: cracker crumbs, matzo, crushed cornflakes, grounds oats, or
even potato chips. Simply substitute an equal amount of the replacement
food for the bread crumbs. You can also make fresh bread crumbs by
finely chopping four slices of bread per cup you need.
To avoid burning food, when you cook on the stove or in the oven, use a
loud timer to help you remember to check on your food. Also, set the
timer a little early so that it will give you extra time to grab the
potholders and the cooling racks. If you need extra cooking time, don't
forget to reset your timer.
Use pita crisps in place of tortilla chips. Rather than using store
bought tortilla chips, try making your own pita crisps. Simply split 6
pita pockets, making 12 rounds. Combine 2 cloves of minced garlic with
1/4 cup of olive oil and a little salt and pepper. Brush the mixture
over the top of the split sides. Stack and cut into 6 to 8 wedges. Place
in a single layer on a baking sheet, and bake at 400 degrees until
golden brown and crispy (about 5 minutes). They are absolutely delicious
with guacamole, salsa or hummus!
To avoid sticky rice, wash it before cooking. This is a simple trick to
use if you want fluffy rice. Put the rice in a large pot, fill it with
water, and stir. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Repeat this once more. Let all of the water drain before cooking.
Don't let extra eggroll and wonton wrappers go to waste! They are great
for making simple homemade baked chips. Cut the wrappers into chip size
shapes and place on a greased cookie sheet. Spray the wrappers lightly
with cooking spray or oil. Top with your favorite flavoring such as
savory garlic salt, or sweet cinnamon sugar, and bake until crisp.
To have meat stock on hand, freeze it in ice cube trays. Homemade stock
is delicious and cheaper than ready made. Two large cubes is equal to
1/4 cup of liquid stock. By freezing your stock, you can make large
batches of your own and then it will be on hand when you need it.
Be careful when adding oil to a pan in which you are already cooking. If
you just pour oil anywhere in the hot pan, it will not only lower the
temperature of the food you are cooking, it may also splatter. To avoid
this, you should slowly add oil to one spot away from the food.
If a dish seems flat and boring, consider what kind of acidic component
you could add. A dash of zest or squeeze of juice from a lemon or lime
may be just what your dish needs to wake up. Or, try balsamic, white or
apple cider vinegar, buttermilk, or sour cream to add a bit of tang.
Before one is about to cook something in a pan they should grease the
pan with real butter if they are not worried about what they are eating.
Using real butter to cook with will give your food a nice additional
flavor that can make a big difference to the meal.
Using fresh ingredients can greatly improve the flavor in ones cooking.
The freshest ingredients possible can add a richness and new level of
flavor to an old favorite or whatever one is going to be cooking. If one
wants to make a salad, then they should obtain the ingredients the day
that they are going to make it to ensure freshness.
While it is very convenient to cook meats in a slow cooker, it is
important that you are very careful or you can be at risk. Any meat that
you plan on adding to a cooker needs to be browned first so that it
reaches food-safety standards for temperature.
Have you ever tried to do a "tri-tip" roast. The beef tri-tip roast is a
lean, boneless roast from the bottom part of the sirloin. Due to its
unique triangular shape, it cooks unusually - from well done at the
corners, to medium rare in the center. It is very tender, and doesn't
require marinating. This cut is ideal for roasting or grilling. With its
short cooking time, it is an excellent choice for a mid-week meal.
To keep lettuce fresher longer, do not wash it until you are ready to
use it. When the leaves are refrigerated wet, they hold in the excess
moisture, which speeds up the decomposition process. By keeping it dry
when in the refrigerator, the lettuce will keep better and remain fresh.
When roasting a whole chicken, remember to season well and separate the
breasts from the legs. The legs need a longer cooking time than the
breasts, if you don't take out the breasts they will overcook.
Splurge a little on a higher quality of olive oil than you usually buy.
A tiny splash of a good olive oil can really enhance the flavors of some
foods like meat, fish, pasta, pizza and some cheeses. You can also use
it in place of butter when you cook pasta or mushrooms, and you will
have a healthier dish.
These are only a fraction of the tips that're out there to help you
become a better cook. Hopefully you've learned some valuable information
and are on your way to becoming a great cook. Even if you're only
cooking for yourself, it's always nice to be able to make a good tasting
meal!
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