Dream Of Becoming A Great Cook? This Article Can Help

Have you ever sat down at the dinner table and faced a panoply of beautiful, tasty dishes all made by someone else? Do you wonder how they managed to put together such a scrumptious meal? Your cooking abilities will improve by reading this article.

You should store all herbs and spices in cool, dark places. Herbs and spices can quickly lose their flavor if exposed to continuous light or heat. A lot of the time, you can expect an herb or a space to retain flavor for about a year. Whole spices typically last longer than ground spices. Depending on the advice you???re reading, they can last from one to several years. In terms of lasting, remember it is the flavor of the spices that is usually the issue with the older spices losing their flavor. The color, fragrance and condition of the spice will often indicate its freshness. Their changes at longevity increase with proper storage.

Cooking vegetables for a long time in a boiling liquid will remove nutrients that are found in them. If you want them to be healthier, try cooking them quickly by steaming or sauteing, or eat them raw!

When not in use, put your spices in an area that receives the lowest amount of light and heat. If they are stored in an area that they are exposed to light, heat and humidity, their shelf life is shortened. Your spices will have a longer shelf life and retain their good taste if stored in a dark, cool spot. Fresh spices can greatly enhance your meals, making this effort well worth your time.

It’s vital that you always use sharp knives when cooking. Dull knives, in addition to being ineffective, are actually very dangerous. You will be more apt to cut yourself with a dull knife than a sharp knife, as you’ll spend a lot more time trying to force that dull knife through the food you are cutting.

Are you using basil? Get a sprout of fresh basil and place it in a glass. Add some water to cover the stems. Keep it on the kitchen counter and it will stay fresh for weeks. Remember to refresh the water from time to time, and you will notice that the basil starts to grow roots. Cut or trim basil occasionally so it grows more and you get fresh herbs every time.

As said preciously, there are some easy tricks you can learn to cook well. As with any other skill, it will come naturally for some people, while others will need more practice and advice. Whichever camp you fall into, this article has hopefully nudged you a little closer to being a real cooking wizard.