Cooking is a priceless skill that can improve your life in many ways. If you can cook for yourself, you can make your food tastier and healthier, not to mention more economical.
Do not keep your herbs or spices in a place that is not cool and dark. Leaving your spices out will expose them to moisture and light, which will diminish their quality. Keeping your spices in darkened, cool areas will lend extra longevity and flavor. Using fresher spices can make tastier meals.
Apples tend to be a big ingredient during fall and winter, but they tend to spoil quickly if not stored properly. Air that is dry and warm tends to make apples rot, and you can slow down this process by loosely placing them in plastic bags that are tied shut. Store them in a cool area, such as a refrigerator, garage or basement. Make sure to check on them regularly, as one rotten apple means the rest are soon to follow.
Are you a fan of using fresh basil? Take a few twigs of the basil and place it in a small container or glass. Make sure the stems are covered by an adequate amount of water. This will help to keep it from going bad for quite a few days. Change the water once in awhile, and before long roots will even form on the basil. Encourage new growth by occasionally pinching back or trimming your basil.
Fresh ingredients are much better to use in all of your cooking than those that are frozen or dried. Use any fresh ingredients that are available. They are not only tastier in general, but they also tend to be cheaper, as well.
If you are making a meal that requires garlic, buy fresh garlic or grow your own. When garlic is fresh, it has a sweeter taste. You will also find that fresh garlic has firm skin and is free of bruises.
Cooking is more complicated than just placing food onto a table. There is a challenge in creating a dish to delight the senses. Everyone makes mistakes when cooking at least once throughout their life. The information provided in this article should help you to limit the amount of mistakes you make in the future. Let these tips help you to turn your kitchen efforts into true culinary artistry.