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There are a wide variety of methods
on the beginning of cooking. You can be the bold and
experimentative type who prefers to learn it by the trial and
error method; you can also prefer to attend cookery classes in
your neighborhood or settle down for the good cook books and
cookery shows aired on the television.
Cooking is such an art that develops only with personalized
training. If you have a good friend, relative or neighbor who is
also a great cook, dont hesitate to ask him or her to share
their cooking experiences with you. Also almost all the families
have some food traditions that are handed down from the
grandparents and elders; use this chance to learn some good
recipes.
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If cooking for you means making good
appetizers and tasty desserts, I would recommend cook books
available in the book stores. It is good to see that the new age
cook books (the quality ones I mean) not only gives you the
recipe, but also engages in explaining specific cooking terms,
presenting the cooking step by step and finally garnishing.
There are also good videos or DVDs by professional chefs who can
help you in your mission. In fact some of these shows explain
the science behind cooking along with the proper use of the
kitchen equipment.
Moreover, you can attend special cooking classes like microwave
cooking, desserts, international cuisines and low calorie or low
crab cooking. Most of these programs offer one day or even a
couple of hours courses, but believe me they are really useful.
If you are looking at something for a longer period, try out the
good culinary art schools that offer special lessons on gourmet
cooking techniques.
For all the first timers I have a word of advice. Good cooking
does not happen in just a day rather it needs a lot of
experience and definitely patience. You can ask all the good
chefs from any part of the world and they will echo the same.
So, if your cooking experience turns out to be a disaster
initially, dont get disheartened. Keep trying. You never know
eventually the dish that you will create might turn out to be
much better than the one served in a good eating joint. The
basic recipe is fine, but adding your personal flavor to cooking
makes it unique and great.
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Lesson
on cooking vegetables
One of the basic requirements while preparing your everyday meal
cooking the vegetables properly. But how would you know
whether they are ready or not? Nature has made our olfactory
sense, the nose perfect for this job. Yes, I mean use your nose
to smell the vegetables you can smell the difference when the
vegetables are ready. However, as of now, you can be contended
by using a fork or knife and checking whether the vegetable is
tender. The winter squashes need to be cooked very well, till
the point that they are soft; some veggies like broccoli, snow
peas and green beans must not become very tender. They must be
kept slightly firm. The mode of cooking makes a lot of
difference in the taste. So, if you stir fry the veggies, they
become nicely crisp while baking and braising makes them very
soft. However, there is no absolute right or wrong in cooking
method. You have to try out different ones to check what the
best for your needs is. |
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Cooking
by the steaming method
Steaming is a slow process of cooking that requires a simple
perforated basket. It is believed to be a very healthy cooking
style and great for cooking delicate food like fish or other sea
food. It is also the way the famous Mexican tamale (Corn and
cornmeal dough stuffed with a meat mixture then wrapped in corn
husks) is cooked. Steamed food has a great flavor and texture.
However, to do a proper job steaming, it is important to note
the following points:
Keep an eye on the water used for steaming; it should not boil
to dry.
There must be a considerable gap (at least 1 inch) between the
food left for steaming and water; they both should not touch
each other.
There must be enough place for the steam to circulate all
across the steamer.
If you are steaming some things that might take a little longer
time than usual, use a pot to boil some water. Pour this boiling
water into the steaming pan as the steaming level reduces. For
cooking vegetables like asparagus, use the butter steaming
method. Just add a dash of butter and put water to the skillet;
now put the asparagus, cover and cook on a medium-high flame for
a five to seven minutes or unless you get that unparalled aroma
of the asparagus. You can also use this method for cooking any
other long and thin vegetables. Nevertheless, steaming can cause
severe burns. So, before opening the steamer hold it away from
you so that the hot steam escapes.
Cooking by the boiling method
Boiling is an easy method but can bring out the vitamins in the
food. However, you can store the broth and use in soups or other
dishes to get the benefits. Boiling makes food very mushy; if
you want to do your job really fast yet not go into the tedious
process of boiling, put the food items in little water
(approximately 1 to 2 inches) and brings them to boil in high
flame.
Cooking by the roasting method
This is the term you will encounter very frequently. This
procedure, which is considered to be the most modern or trendy
requires cleaning, peeling and cutting of vegetables (or meat
products) in to big pieces, basting with some amount of olive
oil to prevent them from getting very dried, sprinkling with
some spices or herbs and finally seasoning with salt and pepper.
You can then place them on a baking tray and roast them in a
moderate oven of 175 to 180 degree centigrade for about 8-10
minutes (every oven is different, so check your food frequently)
or unless they can be easily pierced with a fork or knife.
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