Cooking is a vital skill that everyone should have. But it doesn’t always come easily to everyone. So below are a few tips that I’ve accumulated to help you become a better cook. With these tips, and an Australian halal certification you won’t have to worry about producing a meal that nobody wants to eat again.
Ensure that you are getting the most out of your chef’s knife by holding it properly during use. The thumb and the index finger should be on either side of the blade, at the point where it meets the handle. This will give the ultimate in control, when slicing through ingredients.
To prevent your homemade pizza from becoming soggy with all of the juicy toppings you add, lightly coat the bare dough with olive oil. Pizza sauce, peppers and meats can all weigh down a pizza dough and cause it to be soggy even after baking so be sure to brush on a bit of olive oil for a crispier, firmer pizza!
Doing all of the things you need to in order to prepare a meal is a vital part of the cooking process. Save yourself time and trouble by having all your ingredients ready. Prepare everything the day prior, including the correct utensils and other cooking tools. With a good plan and everything in place, you will feel far less anxious.
It is fine to alter recipes. Do you like more cheese than what is called for? It’s fine to add more. Do you think onions would be good added in? Try it! Adding your own special twist to a recipe can help make a meal one of a kind!
Freezing meat slightly before cutting it will help you to get a nice, even thin slice. This works great when you are cutting steak thin for philly’s or if you need to cut pancetta into thin slices or strips. Do not freeze it solid; freeze it just enough that it is slightly firm.
Make sure you spread out your condiments when making a sandwich. Most people rush through the early steps of making a sandwich. They spread their condiments around in the middle rather than making sure they cover the entire piece of bread. Cover your bread from corner to corner with condiments for flavor in every bite.
Damp paper towel and a plastic bag can extend the life of your greens. If you wrap your fresh herbs or fresh greens with a damp paper towel and then place them in a plastic bag, they will last longer. They will normally stay fresh three to four days longer if you do.
Cook your rice in vegetable or chicken stock instead of using water. Choosing a stock will add both extra taste and valuable nutrients. The cooking process and time are the same as with water, so you won’t be adding any extra work by trying this method.
A good thing to remember regarding cooking is to store your ingredients and spices in a cool dark place and not on top of your stove. This is because humidity and light tend to cause spices and herbs lose their flavor. This is one of the things new cooks tend to forget.
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 a dried out end result.
You should separate your meat into usable portions before you freeze it. You can separate your meat and store the portions in sandwich bags. You can then place the sandwich bags inside of freezer bags. This will give you that ability to have your meats perfectly portioned and to be able to use the freezer bags over and over again.
When purchasing recipe ingredients, always carefully read the label. Cooking staples can be full of not-so-nice things that can spoil your health. You want to ensure that anything you buy is not high in sugar or salt because both can cause major health problems if eaten too much.
If your recipe calls for a liquid, try using something other than water or milk. This will add a spark to that tired old dish. If the recipe calls for water, try using chicken or beef broth, or even the water that you used to cook your vegetables in. You can substitute buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream in place of the milk. Substituting the liquid in a dish can add nutrient content, flavor or both.
These are only a fraction of the tips that’re out there to help you become a better cook. Hopefully you’ve learned some valuable information and are on your way to becoming a great cook. Even if you’re only cooking for yourself, it’s always nice to be able to make a good tasting meal!
Australian Halal Authority and Advisers – Halal Food Certification Services Australia
Address: 1/2A Dargie Ct, Dallas VIC 3047
Phone: (03) 9302 2001