Some things we do seem right because we’re used to doing them this way. But such typical behavior in the kitchen prevents us from discovering our culinary talents or even puts off the desire to cook altogether.
Defrost meat in the fridge
Meat should be defrosted in advance. Put it in a suitable bowl, and leave it in the fridge until it’s defrosted. Do not leave the meat in water or, especially, run it under hot water as this spoils the appearance and taste.
Take note of which vegetables should not be stored in the fridge
Many still store all their fruit and vegetables in the fridge to supposedly keep them fresh for longer. However, that’s a mistake: potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, and apples are best stored without the fridge.
Potatoes become too sweet because of low temperatures, while the rest of the above secrete ethylene, which leads to faster ripening and rotting.
Do not use a blender to make mashed potatoes
A blender makes the mash viscous and sticky, not light and airy. Better use a simple masher that will keep the potatoes appealing to look at and delicious to eat.
Don’t keep milk in the fridge door
The fridge door seems to be a perfect place to store dairy, but, in fact, it has a slightly higher temperature. Besides, opening the door leads to temperature jumps, shortening the shelf life of milk.
Cook fried eggs in the microwave
Making fried eggs is easy, but it can become even simpler if you cook them in the microwave. Just make a small puncture with a knife or a needle in the egg yolk to let it cook from the inside as well as the outside. Then put the eggs in the microwave for 45 seconds. Your perfect fry is ready.
Get several knives for different purposes
Several knives are a must for any kitchen. The perfect number of them is four: a chef’s knife, a universal one, a knife for vegetables, and one for bread.
Stir pasta when boiling it
It’s no secret that any pasta should be put into boiling water. But not everyone knows you should stir it in the first minutes for the pasta not to stick together or to the bottom of the pan.
Don’t open the oven while baking
By opening the oven, you decrease its temperature, and your pie or bread caves in.
If you want to check on your pastry, turn on the light inside the oven. Only open it a few minutes before everything’s cooked, when the dough has puffed already
Store bread in the fridge
Bread should be stored in a cool and dry place – that is, in the fridge. Just make sure it’s packed well so that it doesn’t acquire foreign smells.
Use vinegar instead of adding more salt
A rich and salty flavor is achieved with lemon juice and balsamic, apple cider, or wine vinegar, not lots of salt. Be sure to evaporate the vinegar while cooking.
Whip egg whites while warm
For a perfect texture of the base for cream or meringues, use egg whites at room temperature: they’ll whip better this way. It’s also important to separate them from the yolks correctly.
Leave some free space in jars
Preserving is a difficult task that may end in a disaster if you don’t follow the instructions. However, even those sometimes neglect the free space in jars.
We mean the space between the upper part of the food and the edge of the jar. It lets your preserves swell up to the necessary size. The jar, as well as the foods inside, will stay intact if you leave this space.
Follow the recipe when baking
Baking should be done strictly by the recipe, otherwise, your cakes, muffins, or cookies may end up in the trash. Too much flour, overly hot butter, the wrong oven temperature – all these will affect the appearance and taste of your pastry.
