Post by TsnMMFan on Jan 15, 2005 1:45:41 GMT -5
Cooking is my hobby, I pride myself in the art of culinary genius every chance I get to show off. In that I have over 500 recipes that I've tested, made and revamped. About a thousand tips and tricks that I use in the kitchen, the grocery store and the dining room when I want to make the most out of every meal. This is an awesome thread because I will enjoy sharing everything I know with everyone here so I can help anyone and everyone who thinks cooking is scary to come to know that cooking is the glue that brings many people together and a good meal really does create a bond between people that many fail to realize.
Angie's tips to begin with:
1. Stop fondling fruit in the grocery store. If the cantalope, watermelon or honeydew smells like the melon it's supposed to be its ripe. If it doesn't it's not. That simple. Pushing on that little recess where the fruit was harvested tells you nothing.(Except that you've fondled your fruit)
2. 'Pop' garlic cloves instead of tediously peeling them. Take a large knife, lay the blade flat over the clove on a cutting board and smack it with the palm of your hand. The peel will come off easily and the garlic clove is now partially chopped.
3. Need it twice, chop it once. When you're cooking, if you'll need an ingredient more than once, chop it all at the same time and section it off in the portions you'll need.
4. Smelly fingers from onions or garlic? Rub them on a stainless steel bowl or other object made of stainless steel. This will immediately remove the odor and as a matter of fact, kitchen stores sell bars made of stainless steel for this purpose.
5. Don't buy infused oils of any kind. Buy a large bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and infuse it yourself by taking whatever herb or flavoring you want and a small amount of oil and placing it in a small saucepan. Heat gently over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes depending on how strong you want the flavor. Flavorings? Basil, Garlic, Sundried Tomato, Oregano, Dill, Thyme....anything. Much cheaper and you control the ingredients.
I'll have more to add to this over time, but I hope you guys enjoy.
Angie's tips to begin with:
1. Stop fondling fruit in the grocery store. If the cantalope, watermelon or honeydew smells like the melon it's supposed to be its ripe. If it doesn't it's not. That simple. Pushing on that little recess where the fruit was harvested tells you nothing.(Except that you've fondled your fruit)
2. 'Pop' garlic cloves instead of tediously peeling them. Take a large knife, lay the blade flat over the clove on a cutting board and smack it with the palm of your hand. The peel will come off easily and the garlic clove is now partially chopped.
3. Need it twice, chop it once. When you're cooking, if you'll need an ingredient more than once, chop it all at the same time and section it off in the portions you'll need.
4. Smelly fingers from onions or garlic? Rub them on a stainless steel bowl or other object made of stainless steel. This will immediately remove the odor and as a matter of fact, kitchen stores sell bars made of stainless steel for this purpose.
5. Don't buy infused oils of any kind. Buy a large bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and infuse it yourself by taking whatever herb or flavoring you want and a small amount of oil and placing it in a small saucepan. Heat gently over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes depending on how strong you want the flavor. Flavorings? Basil, Garlic, Sundried Tomato, Oregano, Dill, Thyme....anything. Much cheaper and you control the ingredients.
I'll have more to add to this over time, but I hope you guys enjoy.
