Fun Tips to Be a Better Cook Now
By Randi Morse
When my children were little I was all about cooking whatever I could as fast as I could. As they've gotten older I've truly discovered the joy that cooking can bring to mine and my family's life. I've even gotten my 15-year-old into cooking; a few nights a week she's excited to create a culinary masterpiece for us. Yes, roasted garlic chicken thighs with roasted potato and corn counts as a culinary masterpiece, especially if I'm not the one cooking it! There are all sorts of companies that sell box subscriptions which claim to make it easier and more affordable to cook. The truth is vastly different. If you learn how to cook correctly you'll actually save money. Here are a few fun tips and tricks that will turn you into a better cook almost instantly!
Buy a meat thermometer - Meat thermometers are the perfect way to ensure that you don't over, or under, cook your meat! Buy a decent meat thermometer and put a list up on your refrigerator that shows the basic cooking temperature for each cut, and doneness, of meat. Eventually you'll memorize them.
Sharpen those knives - I never think my knives are dull until I have my husband sharpen them. There are tons of sharpeners available to buy on Amazon; find the one that has the best reviews, is in your budget, and get to sharpening those knives!
Learn to love chicken thigh - My husband has always been all about boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Until I learned how to cook chicken thighs. Not only are they more affordable, chicken thighs have tons more taste as well, and the bones can be used to make a stock or to add flavor to a soup.
Throw away spices - When was the last time you checked your spice drawer? Take out your spices and smell all of them. If the spice has lost its smell, it's lost its flavor, so toss it out and replace it.
Buy a mandolin - This is the next best thing since, well, sliced carrots! A mandolin helps you to cut almost any vegetable or fruit perfectly. If you're scared to use one, get a cut-resistant safety glove.
Don't crowd your pans - I was definitely guilty of this cooking sin for a long time. If you crowd your food in the pans, or your skillet, too much, you're now allowing them the space they need to cook properly.
Find a recipe that intrigues you and get to cooking! These quick, simple tips will definitely help you to up your cooking game, especially if you're a beginner.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Brandon, Fla.