To some people, cooking is a fun hobby. And to others, it is a profession or a way of life. Either way, cooking is a necessary skill that people should know to survive. Like many other skills, cooking is something people learn over time and not overnight. And as a skill, some beginners are probably trying to find their way in the kitchen. If you happen to be a beginner, there is no need to be shy! We all have to start somewhere with Cooking 101.
Cooking has many fundamental and unwritten rules. From measurement questions such as how much is a pint to knowing the proper ingredients to make a hearty dish, cooking requires time before you can master it. But before tackling these questions, there are a few things beginners should know when they start cooking. And without further ado, here are six handy tips for starting home cooks.
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1. Prepare and organize your ingredients early.
Let us start the list with an easy and no-brainer reminder. When you have a project, you should not cram or do things at the last minute and have everything rushed. This mindset is also applicable in cooking. When you have something in mind to cook, make sure that you already have all the ingredients or utensils you will need.
From meats to sauces and vegetables, you should already have everything you need, so it will not be a hassle for you before or during cooking. It will also help if you have a list with you when you go for groceries. This way, you will not forget any ingredients you might require for Cooking 101.
2. Invest in a good kitchen knife.
Slicing ingredients is a necessary step when cooking good food. From garlic and onions to meat and vegetables, expect that you will need to slice an ingredient for proper proportions. And when cutting food products when preparing your ingredients or cooking, a good kitchen knife is something that you must have.
When choosing a trusty kitchen knife, opt for the handle instead of what kind of knife you will get. Make sure the grip is comfortable for your hand and firm enough to avoid slipping. Doing so will let you slice ingredients more comfortably and even avoid injuries.
3. Pick fresh and quality ingredients, Cooking 101.
It may be a no-brainer, but a friendly reminder will not hurt either. When shopping for ingredients, make sure that you pick the fresh ones instead of the opposite. After all, your food will taste much better when you use fresh ingredients for the main dish or garnish.
And if you have a recipe in mind that you will not cook immediately, choose ingredients that will not expire or be ripe soon. When you pick otherwise, there is a high chance that the ingredients you are about to use are already rotten or spoiled. So if you will not cook a dish soon, picking food products that are not too ripe or near the expiration date allows you to store them longer.
4. Always use a hot pan.
Though some people may not admit it, there may have been times when they cooked food in a cold pan. Maybe they are too tired to cook or did not notice that they used a cold pan. Either way, if you want to make a hot meal, make sure you use a hot pan instead of a cold one.
Before placing your ingredients in the pan, make sure you let the pan warm up first on fire for a few seconds or minutes. It will not take long before you feel the heat coming from the pan. Once hot, go ahead, and cook that warm recipe you have in mind.
5. Do not forget to rest the meats after cooking 101.
After cooking a fried, roasted, or grilled meat dish, it is tempting to have a bite out of it immediately while it is hot. But before tasting your mouth-watering creation, you may want to hold back a little. Unlike some dishes, you need to rest meats before serving them for a meal.
But why do meat dishes, such as steaks or fried chickens, need resting periods? Well, resting periods let the juices of the meat redistribute to make it more tender and delicious. If you did not rest them before serving, the juices will most likely flow away and leave you with a lump of overcooked meat.
6. Know that leaving the kitchen unattended is a bad idea.
And lastly, unless you use automatic appliances that are safe to leave unattended, such as rice cookers or turbo broilers, leaving the kitchen while cooking is a terrible idea. Not only could you overcook or burn a meal, but doing so also poses a fire hazard. Aside from losing a meal, you could also lose your home or worse.
If you are not using automatic appliances, try not to leave your kitchen unattended. Ensure the fire is not too high to avoid a burnt surface and raw insides. Finally, always turn the stove and gas off after cooking.
In a Nutshell,
Cooking is a skill, and like many other skills, it takes time before thoroughly learning it. These six are some of the many tips beginner home cooks should know when they start their culinary adventures. For more tips and dish ideas, visit Recipes.Net!
