Have you ever tried learning how to cook but never quite gotten the hang of it? If so, you’re not alone. According to an interview with Noah masterchef, chef and author of the international bestseller, “The Next 7 Things You Should Do For Masterchef Success”, a whopping 16% of home cooks are preparing food incorrectly and 2-4% are doing it right. To help save you from cooking disasters, here’s a list of links that will teach you different cooking techniques and help refine your skills:
1. Learn to read a recipe and understand how to follow the steps.
Reading a recipe can be daunting, especially when you see measurements in cups and ounces instead of milliliters and grams. Don’t worry! You’ll be able to master it with ease when you break down the recipe into manageable steps. The very first thing you should do is read recipe instructions carefully. Skim this article on why you should develop good reading skills when cooking. This is the most important skill you can acquire as a home cook. Following step-by-step instructions and using the correct tools will yield better results than any guesswork or improvisation ever could.
2. Understand how different ingredients and tools impact your food
Different ingredients and tools, as well as adjustments in preparation, will impact the overall quality of your dish. If you’re not getting the results you want, understand how tweaking certain elements could help. Eggs, vanilla extract, coconut flour, marshmallows, etc… Each of these provides a unique flavor to your dishes and should be used accordingly. Learn which of these ingredients you should use in each recipe so you won’t end up with an experience that leaves you disappointed in your final product when you least expect it.
3. Practice, practice, practice until you’re comfortable with completing a recipe without a mistake
Remember the last time you went to cook something for the first time? I won’t lie to you, it was probably a disaster. It’s not because you don’t know how to cook. It’s because you haven’t done it enough to pull it off. The only way to become a master chef is to practice your skills as often as possible. If you’re nervous about trying new techniques, cook easy recipes first. Once you know what the ingredients do and how they work together, you’ll be able to better understand more complex dishes in the future.
4. Learn how to read food labels correctly
You’ll find vitamins and minerals listed on many food products. However, the amount they provide may not be enough to give you the results you want. For example, a product with 10% of your daily vitamin C requirement only gives you 1/10 of your daily vitamin C intake. Research has proven that the correct use of ingredients may have more impact on the quality of your dish than anything else. If you’re unsure about what a product contains, check with the manufacturer or ask your local grocer.
5. Use spatulas properly
This is one of the most important things you’ll have to do if you want your dishes to turn out right. After all, rolling pasta dough and stirring a pot require different types of utensils. Holding onto a spatula when stirring in ingredients will help avoid burning yourself, and being comfortable with the proper technique will allow you to turn out delectable dishes every time.
6. Know all three cooking methods: sauté, broil/grill, and deep-fry/candy-coating
Knowing how to use these methods will give you a better understanding of your food and how to cook it to perfection. Keep in mind that not all ingredients can be prepared using the same cooking method. For example, you wouldn’t deep fry a lasagna.
Different foods require different approaches in order for them to cook properly and be presented in their best forms. Sautéing vegetables gives them a rich, soft texture and a wonderful taste. For the perfect roast chicken, grill or broil the bird to let it sit in its own juices. Deep-frying and candy coating allow you to achieve the exact texture you want with minimal effort and tools.
7. Cook for your family so you know how your dishes will be received
The more you experiment, the better your recipes will be. Let your friends try and give honest feedback on how a dish turns out so you can make any adjustments needed to get it just right. Creating a meal for someone you care about is one of the best ways to get feedback on how effective your food preparation techniques are. If you don’t have anyone close to try out your food, consider using friends or neighbors that you’re comfortable with asking because they’re interested in receiving free food samples.
Conclusion of the article:
It is true that the next 7 things you should do for masterchef success will get you closer to your goal. All it takes is a good knowledge of the ingredients, proper preparation and letting people taste your food whether they are friends or strangers.
