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

Some people feel intimidated by cooking, especially if there is already an expert cook in the family. The truth is that anyone can be a good cook with the right knowledge and a desire to learn. Read the following tips on cooking if you need some help in the kitchen.



To successfully cook a meal you should always follow the recipe. This will assure you use the correct amount of each ingredient. Cooking is a science and each ingredient has its job. Leaving out an ingredient, putting too much of something, or cooking for too long can turn your dish into a disaster.



If you are planning to saut& garlic, you will want to slice it instead of mincing it, which will reduce the chance for it to burn. Following certain procedures will not only improve the taste of your dishes in the kitchen but will increase your effectiveness and efficiency in getting the job done.



When you broil a steak, heat your broiler to the appropriate temperature before putting the steak in. The result will be a seared steak on the outside, with a very juicy inside. The broiling process should also be quick, but will vary depending on how well done you want your steak to be. Over cooking can lead to http://www.longfordleader.ie/news/home/225020/top-quality-racing-and-catering-at-enjoyable-point-to-point.html dried out end result.



Save your butter and margarine wrappers to use when baking. The wax paper that butter and margarine is wrapped in just happens to be the perfect size for greasing pans or rubbing onto a potato before popping it in the oven for baking. Save wrappers butter-side to butter-side in a closed storage container, so it stays fresh for your baking needs.



It is not always easy to remember the proper grilling times for all meats. Use a good meat thermometer (a digital one is more accurate) so that you can ensure the inside is cooked correctly. A good rule of thumb to reduce the total cooking time is to always close the grill lid whenever the thickness of the meat exceeds 1.5 inches.



Make sure to measure the amount of cooking oil you use! Measure how much oil you use to make your dish less rich in fat. Do not simply pour the oil directly in the pan. By doing this, you will know exactly how much oil you use.



One of the best ways to store green vegetables so that you can increase the lifespan that they have, is to store them in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag. This will keep the nutrients in them and retain the freshness that they need to remain tasty.



When baking, here is a tip for eggs and butter. Let your eggs and butter set out overnight at room temperature. Doing so will soften the butter which will make it easier to spread, melt, and mix with other ingredients. The eggs will be easier to beat, and foaming egg whites will be easier as well.




<img src="http://greenfigcateringcompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/buffet.jpg" />



Instead of approaching cooking as an analytic process, you should try to maximize the amount of fun that you have in the kitchen. Put the music on loud and dance from time to time to enjoy what you are doing. Keeping something fun and casual will reduce errors from anxiety.



Ice trays can be a great tool for freezing sauces. This way, when you want to make an easy meal another night, all you have to do is reheat it in a saute pan. Freezing the sauce into cubes in the trays is safe and web page !



This is a great tip to use when making salad dressings. If you want to make a dressing that is creamy and rich, but without adding all of the fat, simply use a mixture of half mayonnaise and half greek yogurt. The greek yogurt is a healthy alternative to using all mayonnaise as there is less cholesterol.



Start your sear in a cold pan when searing duck breasts. Duck can turn very dry very quickly if not properly cooked. Using the cold pan technique for searing allows the fat to render slowly which will keep your duck moist and juicy. It will also give you more time to develop flavors and take care of some side dishes.



When preparing a pasta dish, you should add salt to the boiling water before adding the noodles. Seasoning will impregnate the pasta more efficiently while it cooks. Salting after boiling your pasta will not give the same effect of absorption.



Use a paper towel to blot dry, any meat that you are browning before you put it in the hot oil. This prevents the release of moisture when your meat hits the hot oil. When you are browning meat, you want it to sear, not steam. Moisture-rich meats will steam and the brown crust that you seek from browning, will prove elusive.



Do not over-season foods before you cook them. Often seasonings intensify as a food item cooks. Adding too much seasoning early on, even if visit this site right here seemed to be good at first, may cause the food to become overly salty or spicy. Instead, add just a little bit of seasoning and taste while cooking. You can always add more seasoning later if you feel the flavor is not strong enough, but you can't take seasoning away if there is too much.



Take chances when you want to become a better cook. Do not be intimidated by recipes that seem complicated. Usually if you break the process down, and only focus on one item at a time, you will get through any recipe fine. Make sure you read the whole recipe once before you begin.



In conclusion, if your cooking has a lot to be desired it is time to turn that situation around. As long as you apply yourself, you can pretty much do anything. Hopefully the tips and tricks provided in this article will help you to make that delicious meal and have everybody talking about your great meal.