As a new chef, it can be somehow daunting trying out new cooking recipes and even frustrating when you fail to get the intended results. Fortunately, there is always a chance to improve by practicing. The following are some of the essential cooking tips you should consider.
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Read Up and Prepare
Although some people overlook the necessity of prepping before starting cooking, this can save a lot of time in the cooking process. Before you begin, it is essential to carefully read your recipe and ensure you have the kitchen equipment and ingredients you need during the process. This prevents you from loitering around the kitchen when the cooking process starts.
Ensure Your Knife is Always Sharp
Does your knife give you a horrible cut? If this is the case, a dull knife can expose you to some dangers. They are more susceptible to slipping as you cut, hence increasing the probability of cutting yourself. As you commit to ensuring your knife is sharp, it is also crucial to correctly hold it and the food you intend to cut. Moreover, using a sharp knife can save you valuable time during the cooking process.
Pre-Heat Your Ovens and Pans
This is an essential tip, regardless of the type of meal. Failure to pre-heat a pan can lead to soggy vegetables or food that take a lot of time to turn tender. If you want to know if the pan is ready, check whether a few water drops thrown on the cooking surface have evaporated.
Use the Appropriate Size
During the boiling process, it is essential to ensure that there is sufficient water, especially when cooking foods such as pasta which swells as it cooks. If you use too little water for cooking too much food, the food may turn starchy and clumpy. Additionally, it is also crucial to check the size of your pan. Ensure that the pan you use creates ample space for the food to flip over to allow it to cook evenly.
Keep Tasting
If you are cooking a dish you have never cooked before, it is recommended to keep tasting it during every step to avoid over or under-seasoning. If you overseason it, you can consider diluting it by adding some vinegar or lemon juice to balance out the flavors.
Observe the Timing
One challenge beginners face is timing their cooking to ensure that everything is hot when placed on the table. Before placing anything on your cooker, take some time to think about the cooking time needed for every food item. Suppose you are preparing French fries and hamburgers. In this case, the French fries will take longer to cook; hence, you should consider cooking the fries first. According to Michael Canzian, it is also crucial to note that some foods like mashed potatoes are hard to keep hot; therefore, consider cooking them last.
Enjoying a good meal creates a fantastic moment for you and your family. Besides, since meals play an essential role in a person’s health, smart cooking is critical.
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