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The art of cooking is a very handy skill to have. A dish prepared by your own hands is a dish that will be truly enjoyed. Unfortunately, a lot of people aren't a culinary whiz in the kitchen. Read this article to find out how you can get there yourself.

If making stir-fry, meat must be cut on the bias and sliced thinly. Slicing the meat can take a lot of time and be rather tricky. When the meat feels firm, pull it from the freezer and cut across the grain at a 45 degree angle.

cup cake cups There is a way to save this sauce, and you will be able to utilize it right away. Mix one tablespoon of starch from corn and two tablespoons of water together in a bowl. You can then stir this solution into your sauce to instantly thicken it. Add your starch slowly, then stir constantly to not over-thicken it.

Garlic is delicious; however the pungent aroma will get stuck on your hands. After using garlic or other foods with odors that stick to your hands, all you need to do is rub your hands on a piece of stainless steel, like your sink. This will clean your hands and keep the smells from permeating whatever food you are handling next.

Apples are a popular ingredient during fall and winter, but unless they are stored properly, they spoil quickly. Apples need to be kept loosely in plastic bags while in your refrigerator or basement because they rot in dry, warm air. Keep an eye on them though, because one rotten apple in the bag will spoil the rest of them in no time.

They will soak up a ton of water, just like a sponge. Instead, get a wet, clean cloth and wipe off the mushroom by hand.

Measure the oil you use when cooking! If you take the time to measure how much oil you use when cooking, you can better control how much fat is incorporated into your dishes. Use a measuring cup instead of just pouring straight out of the bottle. Measuring your oil instead of estimating allows you to closely approximate the fat content in your dish.

When preparing a dish that calls for garlic, purchase garlic that is as fresh as possible. Usually, fresh garlic has a sweeter taste. You will want to look for the following characteristics; firm skin, and no bruises or shriveling.

Place any unripened fruit that you buy in a plastic bag that is perforated. As the fruits get ripe, they'll give off ethylene gas. By placing them in a plastic bag with holes, air will circulate in the bag, making sure that ethylene gas is retained, and the fruit keeps its great taste.

Keep those turkey leftovers after the big meal. Instead, get some airtight containers, cut up the leftovers and freeze them. The turkey will stay fresh for quite a few weeks if you follow these tips. It is a great way to ensure you can have sandwiches for weeks to come.

To avoid burning your food, stay organized. When your station is organized, you will be more productive. You can lose track of your things and waste your food and money if you're unorganized.

Reserve some pasta water for use in your pasta sauce. Save about one-fourth of a cup of water after draining the pasta. When you mix your pasta and sauce, also add the water you reserved. The water contains starch from the pasta, and will make your sauce nice and creamy.

As this article has discussed, cooking is revered by many as an excellent and enjoyable hobby. However, some people don't know where to start, in terms of picking the right recipes or using the proper techniques. Follow this article's advice and you will be on your way to cooking great food.