One of the great things about cooking is that there is always a little room for improvement. Even professionals learn new cooking techniques that enhance the quality of their food. A few basic tips can make cooking much easier, if you are just getting started. You can use the information in the following article to learn more about cooking.
Your spices and herbs should always be stored in a cool and dark place. Moisture, light and heat can affect the flavor of your spices. Generally speaking, properly stored herbs and ground spices can keep a good portion of their flavor as long as one calendar year. Spices that are not ground can keep their flavors for 3 to 5 years. Store your herbs and spices correctly, so that they will stay fresh and keep their full flavor!
Preparation is one of the most important things that you will have to do before you cook a meal for your friends or family. Double-check to make sure you have all the necessary ingredients. Get all of the items you need prepared the day before so there will be no rushing. With the right groundwork, you can enter your kitchen confidently and get right to work whipping up a fantastic meal.
Give pre-cut, raw potatoes a cold water bath for a half-hour prior to frying for crispier French fries. Doing this increases the strength of the fiber in the potatoes, which means that they don’t break down as quickly during the deep frying phase.
Are you using basil? Place a few fresh sprouts in a glass. Cover its stems with water. Leave it on your counter and it will stay fresh for a very long time! Refresh the water quite often, and you will notice that the basil starts to grow roots. Also trim the basil every now and then to facilitate growth. Enjoy fresh basil on a regular basis.
Try these tips to improve your capabilities when it comes to cooking. Experiment with the ideas offered, and don’t be scared to try each of them at least one time. Remember that the more you practice, the more proficient you will become. You can become the best cook in your family if you set your heart on it.
