You’re here because you’re really into food, but also because you have no idea how to cook. We get it. You’re not alone. We all love food that can be made quickly (like instant noodles). Everybody knows how to cook them. But when you get bored of your food, you can spice it up with more complex dishes.
Don’t worry. We’re not here to give you a hardcore lesson on becoming a chef. But if you’re looking to cook for yourself (or your family, friends, etc.), the most important thing to remember is to resist perfection. Cooking is an art, and art is subjective. Always try to be better, but not accepting anything less than perfection is a recipe for disaster (pun intended).
Let’s not overwhelm ourselves here. We’ll start with the absolute basics that you must remember when planning to cook any dish.
CHOPPING
Chopping ingredients is tricky and must be handled carefully. While chopping close to your fingers, curve your fingers slightly inwards so you don’t cut yourself. Also, place a damp towel under your chopping board to keep it in place. People usually underestimate the importance of a good quality knife. Always use a sharp, clean and high quality knife that will doesn’t slip and land somewhere you don’t want it to.
PREPARATION TIME VS COOK TIME
Since you’re a beginner, it will take you more time to prepare your dish than what’s written in the recipe (assume it will take you 60 to 90 minutes to prepare a meal that has a prep time of 30 minutes). It’s a new venture, and might take some time getting used to. If you don’t want to spend an hour cooking, choose a recipe that takes a longer cooking time in the oven but requires little from you, like baked potatoes or a casserole.
ACIDITY CONTROL
Too much acidity can be caused by overuse of tomatoes, dairy or seafood products. If you find that your sauce has a ‘vinaigrette’ taste, then you can add a few teaspoons of baking soda to counter the effect. Baking soda is basic in nature and can nullify the acidic taste in your food.
COOKING MEATS
When using meats for cooking, the right cut is recommended for best flavour. Also, learn about the meat you’re using before cooking it. Chicken cooks at a different temperature than fish. A beef rib cooks differently than a beef tenderloin. Utilise the right temperature and cooking method for a juicy and delicious dish.
Also, pat dry the meat with paper towels. This creates less steam during the contact between the pan and the meat and enables the meat to cook better.
USING EGG WASH ON BAKED DISHES
Egg wash can be made by mixing an egg yolk with 1tbsp heavy cream. Glaze the mixture on baked goods 5 minutes before they are done to get a perfect sheen.
Searching for recipes too much of a hassle? Check out our KOKA Recipe eBook for super easy recipes using our range of noodles. Take inspiration from them and stock up those ingredients.
It’s also important to remember to follow safety procedures and avoid health hazards in the kitchen. Some of them are:
- Always remember to turn off the stove when not in use.
- Don’t leave knives and other sharp objects lying around.
- Turn off any electrical appliances after you’re done using them.
- Don’t leave food waste lying around. It can attract insects and rodents, which is a huge health hazard.
Stay safe when cooking alone. It’s a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. It’ll not only help you save money, but also fuel your independence and help you in the long run.