Cooking is an invaluable skill to possess. Learning how to do it well will benefit you in many ways. Preparing healthy, homemade meals is not only good for you, it’s good for your budget too!
When adding seasonings to meat, test a small amount before seasoning the whole batch. Foods like meatloaf, meatballs, and even hamburgers can require careful seasoning. You do not want to cook the whole thing immediately after seasoning it. Just cook a small piece formed into a patty. If you are satisfied with the flavor you can move on to the rest of the batch, or, if the flavor is off, you can add more seasonings to get the flavor right.
Many apples are purchased for cooking in winter and fall, but they will rot in a short period of time if they are not properly stored. Apples rot in dry warm air, so store them in loosely tied plastic bags in the refrigerator or a cool basement. Make sure you check them periodically, however, because even one spoiled apple can cause the others in the bag to rot very rapidly.
To maintain a vegetable’s quality, cook it quickly. Though slow cooking is popular in some cultures, the process actually eliminates important nutrients and renders the vegetables tasteless. These cooking techniques will yield vegetables that are healthier and taste great as well. Cooking vegetables for only a short amount of time is essential.
Have you ever wanted to cook a meal using fresh basil? If so, put lots of fresh basil into a glass. Fill the container with enough water to cover the stems. Keep on the kitchen counter so it’ll be fresh for weeks! If the water is changed periodically, the basil may even sprout roots. Cut it on occasion and your plant will continue to provide you with fresh basil for a long time to come.
You should think big when preparing chicken stock. If you cook a big pot of stock, you can freeze it for later. This stock is a popular base that can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups to casseroles and much more. Make certain the stock is cooled, and then you can portion it into heavyweight Ziploc freezer bags and place in the freezer.
Cooking your own meals allows you to control the ingredients you and your family consume. The tips you have learned here can improve your cooking, whether you are preparing traditional, ethnic or fusion cuisines. A home cooked meal will always beat fast food.
