Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Preparing the same meals from the same recipes day after day can get dull fast. This is why you need to learn more knowledge about cooking so that you can mix things up. Cooking is great for nourishment, but it can also be something fun. You can get off to a great start by taking a look at the cooking tips below.

Do not keep your herbs or spices in a place that is not cool and dark. Shelf life can be significantly decreased for those spices which have been exposed to too much light, dampness and heat. Keep spices fresh by storing them away from light and humidity. Using fresher spices can make tastier meals.

When you shelve an herb or a spice, make sure it's dark and cool. Heat, light, and a large amount of humidity can ruin spices and herbs. Herbs and spices generally keep their taste and flavor for about one year. Spices that are raw, or whole, can keep the original flavor for as long as five years, though it usually falls somewhere between three and five. Their changes at longevity increase with proper storage.

Have you had trouble trying to figure out exactly how long to grill your meats? It is always a good idea to use a quality meat thermometer (preferably a digital one for precise reading) to make sure the inside is also cooked properly. Meat that is thicker than an inch and a half should be cooked with the lid of the grill closed.

When adding seasonings to meat, test a small amount before seasoning the whole batch. Certain foods require very careful seasonings, especially dishes like meatballs, meatloaf and burgers. After you season the meat, do not cook all of the batch. Cook a small, seasoned patty and taste the result. Doing this allows you to test the seasonings and make appropriate adjustments.

Fresh ingredients are much better to use in all of your cooking than those that are frozen or dried. Fresh ingredients can really enhance the flavor of your meal, as well as be more economical to prepare.

Be sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using. If you do not do this, your food may cook faster than you want, causing it to burn. Use two parallel skewers instead of one skewer to avoid food falling off.

When cooking vegetables, try cooking them in chicken broth. Not only will chicken broth help to keep vegetables from getting stuck to the pan, but they will add some nice flavors to the dish. Chicken broth can be found at almost all local grocery stores at a very cheap price.

If you want to cook a pumpkin, cut it vertically in half. On a baking sheet, put one of the halves face down. Use a different baking sheet for the other half. Sprinkle your baking sheets with a little water, and roast the pumpkin halves for an hour at 350 degrees.

Disperse spices and seasoning to your favorite food in small, equal increments over time. It is easier to add more seasoning to taste than to take some away, and you'll more evenly divide your ingredients.

If you're using wooden skewers to cook, try soaking them in water for half an hour first. By soaking, you can prevent the skewers from burning while cooking your food. Use two parallel skewers as opposed to a single skewer to keep food intact.

Creating wonderful meals from a large group of ingredients is an exciting adventure. You might just enjoy it as much as you enjoy consuming the meal! This article has hopefully provided you with some practical advice which will enable you to improve your cooking skills and maybe even inspire you to experiment with new flavors and spices in the kitchen. When it comes to being passionate about developing your cooking stills, stay hungry!


paleo , fat burning foods