Do you underestimate your cooking skills and are afraid you might embarrass yourself on the first try? Well, it’s common to feel a little hesitant when trying your hands at something for the first time.
All it takes is a little encouragement to push you, and you’re good to go. This post will equip you with some basic cooking tips that will come in handy whenever you’re cooking.
Read the Recipe Before You Start Cooking
It’s not uncommon to have someone pick all the ingredients they need and get started immediately. This is one mistake that’ll keep your oven or burner on for too long, translating to energy wastage. It’s inevitable that once you switch it on, you’ll have to put it off to cut or grate something. Reading the entire recipe ensures you prepare everything in advance and save yourself a lot of time. You can practice this skill with this Lo Mein recipe here.
Use Lemon or Vinegar to Brighten Flavors
An acid like vinegar and citrus juice is a weapon that brings bland food to life. Whether in black beans, broccoli, or chicken, lemon juice will make your foods tasty if used the right way.
You can also try it in tomato-based sauces and dairy, but not as much as you would in meats and veggies. Just be careful with the quantities. Ensure you learn more about the use of acid in seasoning.
Leave Red Meat for a While before Cutting It
No matter how well done your steak is, avoid cutting it up immediately you take it off the grill. Doing so will make it taste dry. Instead, carefully wrap it in foil paper and let it sit for about five to ten minutes.
This makes the juices settle in before you cut the meat. The foil creates an environment that makes the beef continue cooking. If you prefer medium steak, don’t leave it too long in the foil.
Never Overcrowd the Pan
If you think your cooking pan is too small to hold all the chicken pieces, you’re probably right. Avoid crowding the pieces in that small space if there isn’t enough room. You want to ensure that there’s even distribution of heat in the pan to make everything cook properly.
Remember that if the heat doesn’t distribute adequately, you risk creating a health risk. You will also affect the flavor regardless of the ingredients you use.
Cook Bacon in the Oven
If all you know is that you should cook bacon on the stovetop, you’ve not experimented enough. Instead of using a stovetop, bake it in the oven. It’ll turn out crisp, and you won’t have splatter burns or a greasy mess to deal with later.
If using a stovetop, remember to save the fat from the bacon. There’s no limit to the much you can do with it, including frying your eggs or potatoes in it.
Final Thoughts
There are so many kitchen hacks you need to know as a beginner. The more you know, the easier your cooking times will be. With some of these hacks, you’ll come across as a skilled cook even though you’re just starting. Once you can pull off as many hacks as possible, appreciate yourself with a pat on the back or a gift.