By Elizabeth Rodriguez
Does cooking seem like it is a chore to you? Cooking is a task that should be enjoyable, and not one that you dread. Here you will find some excellent cooking ideas that will help you remove the stresses of not knowing where to begin. Make mealtime a source of enjoyment, not exasperation.
Every cook needs access to a set of sharp knives. Make sure your knife is not dull when you are cutting something, this is very dangerous. When your knife is dull, it can be easier for it to slip off the vegetable and end up cutting you instead. Keep your knives sharp for safety as well as convenience.
The best way to prepare fresh herbs, like parsley or dill, is to bunch them together and cut them up with scissors. This will prevent them from clumping together and they will be drier than when you chop them.
If you need to reheat a dish that is made with oil, bake it in the oven instead of the microwave to avoid a huge mess. Oil heats more quickly than other ingredients, and the strong heat that a microwave has will cause it to separate from everything else. However, baking reheats the entire dish, retaining the flavors and keeping the ingredients together.
A meat thermometer should be used to ensure that meat is being cooked properly. All kinds of meat have a minimum internal temperature that is recommended for safe consumption. Meat that has not been cooked sufficiently can have bacteria growing in it, and these can cause illness if eaten.
Try new methods of preparing oysters. Oysters are typically eaten raw with maybe a splash of lemon, but there are other ways to prepare them. Place halved oysters, still in their shells, onto a broiler pan, and then cover them with a dollop of cream. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and some freshly grated pepper and the broil until they are bubbling. A second, more popular method is known as saut oysters. Season some plain white flour, coat your oysters in the mixture, and then lightly fry them in butter or vegetable oil for a few minutes. Cook oyster's right in their shells. Put them in a dish in the oven with a bit of butter and breadcrumbs on top and bake them for around 5 minutes at 425. Serve hot on toast points or a baguette when your butter is bubbling.
Use leftover meats and vegetables to cook up a quick stir-fry at the end of the week. You can even use leftover rice, but if you need to make some, use slightly less water so that the rice is a little drier. The main ingredients should be fried in oil. Afterwards, you should toss in the rice and add plenty of seasonings and soy sauce.
As this article has discussed, cooking is revered by many as an excellent and enjoyable hobby. However, some people don't know where to start, in terms of picking the right recipes or using the proper techniques. Follow this article's advice and you will be on your way to cooking great food.
