Showing posts with label Kitchen tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kitchen tips. Show all posts

Monday, November 16, 2009

Free Kitchen tips for New Cooks

These are a few tips that I have been compiling for some time, and have come from my own trial and error and a few of my friends' too. I thought I would share these tips with others and may come in handy for those who are starting out as cooks.. Experienced cooks, please ignore this....

Let me know whether you agree or not ..:)

  • The taste of any dal preparation (lentils) is enhanced with a few drops of lemon juice. Please note that a few drops mean just that, and not spoonfuls....

  • Once rice is boiled, switch off, cover with a lid and leave it for 10 minutes...most rice like basmati, raw rice etc cook with that . In case it needs more cooking, a few more minutes should do. If you leave the rice boiling for a long time, more than likely it would overcook.

  • Cook pasta and rice with atleast 1/2 tsp of salt to stop it sticking...

  • Soaking dried pulses overnight will reduce cooking time more than half.

  • Wash brinjal, lady's finger etc before cutting so they won't turn mushy when cooked.

  • When frying fish, always add a bit of lemon juice to the marinade for better taste and smell.

  • Try not to empty the mixer before switching it off. (Someone I know of, did this !!!)

  • When making spicy curry, add a pinch of sugar to enhance the taste.

  • Brown onions while cooking meat ....instead of just turning it soft and yellow...to get the dish taste it's best.

  • Add at least 1 green chilli to dishes to increase the flavour.

  • When preparing mutton, add 1/2 tsp of jeera (cumin) powder for better taste.

Will post more of these depending on your opinions...

Thursday, February 26, 2009

KITCHEN TIPS

The tips given below are found in our local publication calles 'Vanitha' and have been helpful in our family for atleast three generations. 
Some are what we know already , some we may have forgotten and still others unheard of..so I thought I'd share these tips with you. Do let me know what you think ...

  • To stop discoloration of brinjals/aubergines when cut, soak the pieces in water mixed with 1 tsp milk.

  • To squeeze out that extra bit of lime/ lemon juice, immerse the lemon or lime in lukewarm water for 20 minutes.

  • Before adding cashwew nuts to cakes or biscuits, soak them in a bit of milk. this will stop them from sinking to the bottom of the cake mix.

  • Stains in tea/coffee mugs will disappear if dampened and scrubbed with table salt.

  • Cut off the top of carrots and store them in a ziplock bag, in th evegetable tray to extend shelf life.