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All new cooks have to begin somewhere. Usually, most people are not born to cook, but they acquire skills to do so. However, the ability to master the craft of cooking is something that any person can do. In order to become a good cook, there are certain things you need to know. The below article will provide you some useful advice to help you get on the right track.

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A great tip for using cooking oil is to ensure you pour it onto the sides of the pan, rather than directly in the pan's center, so that it will be sufficiently heated upon reaching the food. Hot oil adds more flavor to the food, giving you the tastiest results when you're finished.

There is a secret to thicken up your weak sauce. Try mixing in 1 tablespoon corn starch and another 2 tablespoons water in a container. Stir this solution into the thin sauce to thicken it. Make sure you add starch slowly and are constantly stirring the sauce so it doesn't get too thick.

Will you be making a meal using fresh basil? Take the basil and place it in a glass. Pour water in the glass until the stems of the fresh basil are completely covered. This will help to keep it from going bad for quite a few days. By changing the water every so often, your basil will develop roots. Cut or trim the basil occasionally to encourage additional growth and you can enjoy fresh basil for some time!

When you are cooking, use fresh ingredients instead of frozen or dried ones for the best results. Use any fresh ingredients that are available. They are not only tastier in general, but they also tend to be cheaper, as well.

Garlic is a wonderful ingredient in recipes, but the smell is quite difficult to remove from your hands. Try rubbing your hands against stainless steel to get the odor of garlic and other foods off your hands. It both cleans your hands and helps to avoid transfer the odor to other foods.

If you have sauce left over after a meal, store the remainder in one or more ice cube trays and let it freeze. When you do this, making a quick meal can be accomplished by simply reheating by using a saute pan. The sauce will be very edible after it comes out of the trays.

You should read the labels when you are buying ingredients for a recipe. Though they seem innocent enough, many of the components of everyday cooking items can be loaded with secret things that hinder your overall health. Avoid ingredients that have high sugar and sodium content, because they can cause health problems.

Freezing helps ensure fresh fruit throughout the year. This process also gives you easy access to seasonal fruits at times when they would not normally be available.

Fresh garlic is ideal when preparing dishes that call for garlic. One rule to remember is that if you want sweet garlic, choose fresh garlic. Fresh garlic is free of bruises and firm to the touch.

When you are planning to prepare a salad for guests, leave the dressing on the side. Everyone likes a different amount of salad dressing. It is a good idea to allow them to control the amount themselves. You should also provide a large variety of dressings to serve your guests.

If you have a tight deadline to cook a roast, leave the bone in the piece of meat. The bone acts as a conduit, transporting heat through the center of the meat. Once cooked, carve the bone out and serve the meat as normal.

Don't use any wine in your meals that you wouldn't drink. Because wine will have a big impact on the flavor of your food, a bad wine can result in a bad meal. If you want a safe bet, most liquor stores carry cooking wines.

Many vegetables and herbs have a smell that has a tendency to remain on cutting boards, despite how many times you wash them. Label the ending of your chopping board by marking it with ink. This will help you to identify the different sides of the board.

Always begin your cooking with utensils that are spotlessly clean. If your utensils are not completely clean, you run the risk of introducing old food residue into whatever you are cooking. This could spread harmful bacteria into your food, and could be detrimental to your health.

Consider creating your own stock, in order to add some customized flavor to your dishes. If you cook large quantities, you could store the leftovers in resealable bags inside your freezer. This way you will always have flavorful homemade stock on hand when you want to make soups or other dishes. If you make your own stock, it will be much healthier and not loaded with preservatives.

When working in the kitchen, make a conscious effort to clean dishes as soon as you have finished with them. If you have a two-bucket sink, put soapy water on one side and keep the other side for rinsing your dishes. Since the easiest time to clean bowls and other implements is right after you have finished with them, you will save yourself a lot of time and effort since you won't have to scrub them so much.

Allow your food to sit for a moment before serving it. A lot of people may be unaware that it is important to allow the meal to rest. It has become almost habit now to serve up a meal as it comes right off the stove. But, you will not enjoy the full flavor and texture of your meal if you engage in this practice. Let the meal be for a few minutes, and give it time it cool off.

Most people do not have a natural talent for cooking but skills can be acquired with time and efforts. It really isn't as hard as some people think. Apply the tips that you have read here, and nothing will be able to get in your way.