Many people have a natural inclination to be a cooking pro but are intimidated by the skill set required. The great thing about cooking is that you can take it one step at a time, and if you follow the advice below, you will be cooking with the best of them in no time.If using skewers made of steel or metal, the square or twisted kind are much better than round ones for holding food in place.When cooking a large meal for a family gathering or dinner party, preparation is key. Take an inventory to be sure that everything that you will need is available. Set all of the non-perishable ingredients and utensils out the day ahead. Taking the time to prepare yourself will guarantee that the meal will be a success.Keep all dried spices in a location that is cool and dark. If they get exposed to any light, humidity or heat, they will lose much of their flavor. Ground herbs and spices will retain their flavor for 12 months under normal circumstances. Whole spices might retain flavor for about three or five years. Storing spices properly can help you achieve a longer shelf-life for your spices.If you are just beginning to cook more of your meals, head to the nearest library or bookstore and find a cookbook with simple, basic recipes that you will enjoy preparing. Try different recipes and be patient as you develop your skills.Do not throw away the product of your hard work. Combine two tablespoons of water and one tablespoon of cornstarch in a bowl and mix. Thicken your sauce by stirring in this solution. For a sauce that’s too thick, add more liquid.Apples are a mainstay of fall and winter cooking, but the spoilage rate is high if they are not stored correctly. Apples will be ruined if they are stored in a warm place, so store them in loosely tied plastic bags in the refrigerator or a cool basement. One rotten apple can actually spoil the bunch so make sure you keep a close eye your apples.Try putting some cauliflower to your mashed potatoes to lower the fat content. The somewhat bland taste of cauliflower will blend seamlessly with your potatoes while picking up the other ingredients. Cauliflower is also the same texture and color of potatoes when mashed so it’s a great way to add more veggies, so the dish will be transformed into one that has more vegetables and fewer calories.If you are cooking for someone you want to impress, cook something you already know how to make. Stay away from using new ingredients, or a new recipe. This will take the stress out of the cooking.They will act like a sponge and absorb the water. Wipe them off by hand with a damp cloth to prepare them for cooking.If burgers get stuck to the grill, it might be hard to cook them while preserving their shape. Try brushing a thin coating of vegetable oil on the cooking surface prior to cooking so that food from sticking.

Try adding cauliflower to your mashed potatoes to lower the fat content. Cauliflower blends perfectly with your potatoes without changing the taste of your mashed potatoes. Cauliflower has the same texture and color as potatoes, offering you a perfect way to add another vegetable to your dish while cutting calories.Always make certain to measure your oil you use. This will help you reduce how much fat is present in your foods while cooking. This will allow you to closely monitor the exact amount of oil you are cooking with.

Fresh Garlic

If you cooked with a sauce, save the leftover sauce in an ice cube tray that you can freeze. This will make reheating the sauce easy, as you can pull out as many cubes that you need for the next meal. The frozen sauce will keep extremely well until the next time you need it!Always use fresh garlic to get the full flavor in your dishes. A rule of thumb is that fresh garlic will have a sweet taste to it. Fresh garlic is not soft and lacks bruises.If you are serving a salad with a meal where you have guests, do not pour the salad dressing on the salad, allow your guests to put the dressing on themselves. Some people prefer more dressing when eating salads so it is important that each person add their own dressing.Offer several different types of salad dressing as well.Be sure to soak your wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using. That way, you won’t be able to burn them as easily. Use two parallel skewers instead of one skewer to avoid food falling off.Leave the bone in your roast when you are cooking and pressed for time.Your roast will be done a lot faster because the bone helps to carry the heat to your roaster.Always begin your utensils that are spotlessly clean. Any leftover food matter missed during washing can ruin whatever you plan on cooking next. This can allow for bacteria to easily spread.Measure out your cooking oil! By measuring how much oil you use when cooking, you can lower fat levels in your meals better than if you just pour the oil straight from bottle to pan. By doing this, you will know exactly how much oil you use.Whether you just want to learn to cook to save money on food or you want to treat a significant other, knowing how to cook well is always useful. All around the world, people sit down with family and friends to share a meal. Use the guidelines suggested in this article to get you started on the path towards cooking perfection.