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Many people dread mealtimes as they usually mean another unadventurous trip to the kitchen to place a ready meal in the microwave is required. To improve your outlook, you should consider some options, such as learning more about cooking. Cooking is great for nourishment, but it can also be something fun. To get you started, some good ideas are offered here.

Always have your spices stored in a dark and cool place. Shelf life can be significantly decreased for those spices which have been exposed to too much light, dampness and heat. Storing your spices in a dark location with a lower temperature will help preserve them longer. Fresh spices offer better taste profiles than stale ones.

International Cooking Recipes

Give pre-cut, raw potatoes a cold water bath for a half-hour prior to frying for crispier French fries. By leaving the potatoes to soak up cold water, the fibers are reinforced. This makes it so when you fry them, they'll withstand the heat better and won't break down completely.

Are you preparing a dish with fresh basil? Try placing clumps of fresh basil into a clear, glass container. Make sure the basil's stems are covered in water. Keep on the kitchen counter so it'll be fresh for weeks! If you occasionally change the water, the basil will eventually grow its roots under water. Occasional pruning of the basil might instigate even more growth, which means you can have a steady supply of fresh basil even longer.

You can sprinkle it on many other foods besides meat. Try spreading it on some roasted pumpkin seeds and enjoy the savory flavor by itself, or with some eggs. Just be sure not to use too much seasoning, because you don't want to completely overpower the natural flavor of your food.

One good way to store extra sauce is to freeze it using ice cube trays. When you do this, making a quick meal can be accomplished by simply reheating by using a saute pan. Not to worry, it freezes well and is perfectly edible when stored this way.

Sometimes, your burgers can stick onto the grill. This makes removing them extremely difficult or impossible without compromising their shape. Before you put the burgers on the surface of the grill, you should brush it with some oil.

When preparing chicken stock, it is best to make a large batch. Instead of making a single serving, make a whole stock pot and save the leftovers so you can freeze them. You can use your homemade chicken stock for soups, casseroles and stews. First, cool the stock and then stick it in the freezer.

Beans or tofu are excellent sources of protein that you may not have yet considered adding to your diet. The vast majority of grocery stores stock both of these products. Try pan-frying tofu with some interesting seasonings and you will have a tasty alternative to meat. Beans may be boiled with herbs for a delicious protein source.

By doing this, your fruits will remain fresh for the entire year. This also gives you the advantage of having fruits available off-season.

Make the most of your holiday feast by reusing the leftover turkey. The meat can be cut up, stored in separate bags, and kept in the freezer. Cooked turkey that has been frozen can be enjoyed for weeks by defrosting and using for soups, salads and sandwiches.

If you are going to cook a complex meal, doing the prep work a day before can ease some stress. Get everything together beforehand; ensure you have all the ingredients, and chop or measure anything you can in advance. The next day when you have to cook your meal, all you need to think about is assembling and cooking the dish.

Impress your loved ones or guests with great sandwiches by spreading the mayo evenly across the corners of the bread slices. People often spread the mayonnaise too quickly, resulting in uneven tasting parts. Make sure they get the flavor of your spread in every bite for the optimal sandwich experience.

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Before engaging in cooking, be sure to prepare everything ahead of time. This way, you prevent yourself from using too much gas or heat when cooking, and you also provide a certain amount of safety when working with hot oil on a pan or other potential dangers when distracted.

Sauteing with too much food in the pan can lead to unwanted issues. Too much moisture can cause food to steam rather than saute, affecting the crispness of the meal. Always saute over a low flame or low setting on your stove-top.

It is important to maintain a wooden cutting board properly. Excess moisture, heat and dryness may cause a wooden chopping board to split and warp. It is never smart to immerse your board in water. Instead, sponge clean it with soapy, warm water. To repair a damaged cutting board, use an oil designed to restore this type of board. Allow your board to dry completely between uses.

Make sure that you take care with the cooking time for a perfectly baked cake. The recommendations on the package are only guidelines, because many factors, including oven variations, can impact the finished product. A better idea is to insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick is clean and dry, your cake is done. If it is covered in batter, leave it in a little longer.

When you are cooking for someone for the first time, always stick with a recipe that you are comfortable with. Whether you are preparing a meal for your boss, a new date or your in-laws, your cooking is most impressive when you prepare great dishes you feel very confident with. Be certain that you will make them happy by preparing a dish that is always a success.

Putting the advice you just learned into practice is a great way to get started in an exciting new hobby. It is actually fun to cook when you know how to do so. It can even be quite an eye-opener about you when you become aware of your cooking loves. As you get more and more into cooking, you will have more and more fun as well as your meals will be delicious.