Are you an expert in the kitchen or a beginner? Either way, we are sure you will have to cook at one point (Unless you are very lucky!). Whatever your experience, there are things to be learned to make you are a better cook; sometimes, it’s the small things you forget which can make the biggest difference to your dish. Below we have put together eight cooking tips that may help you. They aren’t lifechanging, but they may well help make your cooking experience that little bit easier and your food that bit more delicious.
Make sure your knives are sharp
By making sure your knives are always sharp, you will be able to cut quicker, prep easier, and it’s a lot safer on your hands. Dull knives tend to slip, meaning you can catch your fingers. If you are looking to get a new set of knives, you could also learn how to hold a knife correctly, making your technique more efficient, and there is less chance of an injury.
Season and taste as you go
Some of the best meals are created using various herbs, but you must make sure you control how much you put in. Don’t just stir them in and hope it tastes good when it comes to surviving your course. Instead, use a clean spoon and taste throughout, adding in small doses. Remember, it is always easier to add more than taking out, and less is more. Soups, in particular, can easily go wrong if you over flavor them, so go easy on the herbs until you know the exact quantities you like best.
Get Familiar with the recipe before you start
Preparation is critical when planning a meal for a group of people. Start by looking through the recipe and familiarizing yourself with each step – there is nothing more stressful than following a recipe blindly as you don’t know how long it will take and what preparation is required. By understanding what’s coming next, you can be one step ahead, reducing stress and improving how the recipe tastes. No matter if your recipe is in a book, or you need to visit website ideas, have it to hand well ahead of time.
Measure out your ingredient before you start
Before you start to cook, get some small bowls out and measure all the ingredients. By being prepared, it can take off the stress when it comes to cooking the recipe itself. When the recipe says to add a squeezed lemon, you’ll already have the exact amount squeezed and ready to make the process a lot smoother. This will also help ensure you add the correct quantities, instead of rushing and roughly guessing the measurements while cooking.
Roll your lemons and limes before cutting
A lot of recipes require a squeeze of lemon or lime. A useful tip is to roll your lemons or limes on your countertop before squeezing as this will produce more juice from the fruits. You could also pop them in the microwave for ten seconds for a similar effect. As previously mentioned, preparing this in advance will make life easier; you could even do this the night before and store it in a container. If you don’t like squeezing a lemon by hand, you could look at the benefits of a lemon squeezer
Never try a new recipe before hosting
As they say, practice makes perfect, and that’s certainly the case when trying out a new recipe. Before hosting a dinner party, make sure you have tried the recipe a couple of times previously. By doing so, you can get familiar with the instructions and feel more confident when preparing for your guests, knowing that it will come out successfully.
Set your timer a few minutes before the recipe says
When it comes to the oven, they vary in many ways causing them to heat up differently. We recommend you set your time a few minutes before to check up on them, making sure your dishes haven’t burnt. It’s always easier to put them in for a little longer if they are undercooked than save them if they are burnt.
Check dietary requirements
It sounds simple, but we’ve all been there. You are confidently hosting a dinner party with your friends and bringing out the chicken, only to be told your friend recently turned vegetarian. Or maybe one of your friends is a little fussy and doesn’t eat certain foods. It’s always worth checking in with your guests beforehand to make sure your preparations go smoothly, and everyone has a good night.
With so many great cooking tips around, we hope the above helps you and makes your cooking experience that little bit easier. For us, seasoning before you try is a key point which many people forget to do. If you enjoy making cocktails, rolling your lemons and limes beforehand is a great way to make your fruits go further.
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