Are you trying to improve in the kitchen but are unsure where to start?
With the pandemic making cooking more popular than ever, those trying to improve their skills could be constantly improving. The key is learning from those that achieved excellence. That’s where your recipe for success begins.
From where you get your recipes to choosing a cooking method, there are always ways for you to improve. To help guide you, here are five helpful tips on how to be a better cook.
1. Planning Ahead
Planning is an essential ingredient for becoming a better cook. Planning can take many forms, including meal planning for the week, shopping for the necessary ingredients, and prepping and cooking the meals.
Every cook should take the time to plan out a menu for the week that meets the family’s dietary needs and incorporates healthy, fresh ingredients. After doing this, it’s essential to shop for all necessary ingredients and store them in the pantry, fridge, or freezer.
2. Utilizing Herbs and Spices for Additional Flavor
Adding herbs and spices can transform an ordinary recipe into a flavorful masterpiece. To become a better cook, stocking the pantry with an assortment of herbs and spices is a must, as these will become the key flavors for your dishes.
To begin, consider the flavor profile you want for the dish and select herbs and spices to enhance it. For example, basil pairs very well with tomatoes, and oregano contributes a savory, earthy taste to many Italian dishes. Experiment with different combinations of herbs and spices to create custom flavor profiles.
3. Ingredient Selection
Ingredient selection is key to becoming a better cook. To create tasty and nutritious dishes, it is essential to choose the right ingredients. Start by learning the nutritional content of different ingredients and being mindful of food allergies and sensitivities.
Select naturally occurring foods rather than processed and saturated fats or salt. Try to diversify the ingredients while limiting unnecessary sugar and opt for plant-based sources of sugar.
4. Kitchen Equipment Must-Haves
When striving to improve one’s cooking prowess, the first step is to have the right kitchen equipment. Having the right tools is essential to making the best use of ingredients and preparing food with efficient timing and accuracy.
This equates to being a better cook. Some kitchen equipment must-haves to improve include a set of quality knives and cutting boards, a stovetop and oven, a sauté pan, a set of flexible silicone spatulas, a heavy-duty stand mixer, a food processor, an aluminum baking sheet, a Dutch oven and the best trivets for hot pots.
5. Clean As You Go: Practicing Safety and Sanitation
To ensure safety and a pleasant experience when making food, it’s essential to ensure that utensils, surfaces, and hands are always clean. To achieve this, washing up and putting away tools and ingredients immediately after finishing them is best.
Additionally, it’s essential to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses such as salmonella and E. coli by thoroughly washing your hands before and after handling food and by ensuring surfaces and tools are free of bacteria, germs, and dirt.
This Is How to Be a Better Cook
With these few simple tips, you are on your way on how to be a better cook. Try focusing on the basics and techniques, tasting as you go, and experimenting with different ingredients.
Once you learn basic cooking skills, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. So, why not get cooking and fill your kitchen with delicious and creative dishes?
