10 Efficient Cooking Tips You Should Memorize
Have you ever thought at some point why the Spaghetti Bolognese that you made at home doesn’t taste like the one you had at the local restaurant? What have you done wrong?
Aside from the ingredients, the preparation and actual cooking also affect the result of any recipe. Take note that even the top chefs had to learn the basics of cookery, and so, you must also master some skills in order for you to be successful in every dish that you make. With that said, here are efficient cooking tips that you should memorize:
Read Through the Entire Recipe
Before you do anything, it is very important that you read the whole recipe first and understand it. This way, you will know what the needed ingredients, as well as the right cooking equipment and tools, are. This will also give you an idea of the steps that you need to take.
As you read the recipe, make it a habit to take down notes.
Gather Everything That You Need First
When cooking, being organized would help a lot, too. So after you have read the recipe, start gathering everything that is needed, from the ingredients to the tools and equipment. Measure the ingredients, too. Make sure that everything is there so that you can work and cook more efficiently later on.
Get the Right Equipment
Culinary tools and equipment are vast. But if you have the right tools, you would feel at ease and you will be able to focus on cooking. If the task requires stir-frying, you need a wok. If the recipe requires peeling lots of vegetables, then you might as well invest in a y-shaped peeler. If you are slow cooking, then get a slow cooker that is big enough to accommodate the ingredients.
The bottom line is, having the right equipment would save you from frustrations later on.
Sharpen Your Knives
Kitchen knives have to be honed constantly. If you can do that every after use, that would be great. Knives can cut you, that’s a given. But believe it or not, dull ones are more prone to slipping and, therefore, more dangerous. And besides, you need sharp knives in order for you to make the right cut for the meat and vegetables that a certain dish requires.
Master Basic Knife Skills
Depending on the dish that you are going to make, you may need to score, shear, slice, and many more. You then have to master some basic knife skills so that you can make the necessary cuts for the ingredients be it meat, fruits, or vegetables.
Dry Meat and Vegetables
Not too many people are aware that cooking wet meat and vegetables prevent them from browning. This right here could be very frustrating. The secret is, you should dry them beforehand. For meat, pat it dry with paper towels before tossing it into the pan. Legumes should also be drained in a colander and then dried with a towel. You can do the same thing with fresh vegetables.
Control the Seasonings
Be it salt, pepper, or any other seasoning, it is essential that you control the amount. You can add a little bit, taste, and add some more if needed. Do not stir in a huge amount right away. Otherwise, that could ruin the taste of the dish.
Measure the Ingredients Correctly
Measuring tools, which include liquid and dry ingredients measuring cups, measuring spoons, and scale, are a necessity in every kitchen. If you take a look at cookbooks or recipes online, the ingredients always come with measurements, and so, it is essential that you have the right tools. This is another thing that can help you cook more efficiently.
Never Crowd the Pan
Crowding a pan with the thought of completing the task faster is never a good idea. Yes, the meat or vegetables may look cooked on the outside, but really, they are not on the inside. If you have to invest in a bigger pan or perhaps work in batches, so be it.
Clean as You Go
I know some recipes require a lot of ingredients and tools. This could cause a mess in your kitchen. But if you clean as you go, you would have a cleaner space. You won’t have to worry about taking care of a pile of dirty pots or pans once you are done cooking.
Cooking should not be that hard. If you memorize the things that we have highlighted above, you’d definitely have more fun in the kitchen. Plus, you can efficiently make any recipe that your heart desires.
Thank you for all the tips!!😄
My mother was the best cook ever, and now I know why. When she went shopping at the Department Stores in Philadelphia, Gimbles. Lit Bros, Wanamakers, Macy’s or others, the first place she headed to was to housewares. Our house had a cooking/baking center plus a refrigerator room and a pantry. And she had every gadget imaginable’….even in those days she even made her own baby food and everything was frim fresh vegetables.
Years ago I read an article entitled C.Y.A.G. which stood for Clean As You Go, and I have followed that advice ever since. It really makes things go much easier and you don’t have a big mess to clean up when you get done.