Thursday, November 20, 2008

The Secret to Joining a Cooking Contest and Winning

Are you thinking of joining a cooking contest but don’t know how or what to do? No problem. Here is a list of wonderful secrets to joining contests and winning. Whip up a batch of wonderful recipes and start looking at your best because these tips are your tickets to cooking contests.

1. Taste test your recipes

Before you enter a cooking contest, make sure that you have tested your recipes. Keep in mind that not all recipes from cookbooks are perfect. You may need to adjust a little on the amount of the ingredients or try some alternatives.

In testing recipes, it is best if you cook for your friends. It is a well-known fact that not all the recipes you have tried and tested will be appreciated by other people. Hence, it is always a good concept to let other people taste test your recipes. If they enjoy eating your food as much as you do, then you are on your way to success.

2. Have your recipe checked

In writing your recipe, have it checked by a friend who isn’t into cooking or who doesn’t know anything in the kitchen. In this way, she will most likely ask you questions regarding some areas of your recipe. This will be your guide in making your recipe more comprehensive.

The key to winning a contest is: ease of preparation and simplicity.

3. Be creative

Keep in mind that creativity is one of the major criteria in a cooking contest. You don’t have to literally make an original recipe. You may adapt some old recipes and give them a twist. Observe the trend in food as well and modify your recipe appropriately.

Make sure that food preparation will also have a touch of your creativity. Foods are more appetizing to eat when prepared in a creative way.

4. Read the rules and follow directions carefully

Having a good bunch of recipes will be totally useless if you don’t follow contest rules. Most cooking contests may require you to use certain ingredients or may ask you to prepare your dish in a particular way. Some may even have a time limit. With this, be sure that you have read the rules carefully and follow instructions in the contest.

Keep in mind that winning in a cooking contest isn’t just about great food. It also entails hard work, dedication, and obedience.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tips for Writing Your Chef Resume

Becoming a chef is a serious undertaking, so if you're planning to embark on a full time career, start with a strong resume. Your resume is your ticket to some of the best exposures for internship, training, experience and promotion. Here's how to build a chef resume that will highlight your expertise and get you noticed:

Mind the form.

Resumes, regardless of the chef position you're applying for, should follow a standard form. Take note of the proper margins on all sides, fonts and format. After the heading, which contains your name, address and contact information, write down your education and training. Include all certifications you have earned that are related to your chosen career.

Next, outline your experience as a chef. Include the dates, name of establishments and your positions. Write your experience as a chef and highlight your management skills.

Show your skills

Your resume should be a short but concise showcase of your skills and abilities as a chef so make sure they are included in detail. Do you have extraordinary accomplishments as a chef at a fine dining restaurant? Include that in your resume. Make sure to highlight your special tenures or work experiences, especially in excellent and reputable establishments and use bullet points if necessary.

Mention achievements such as increasing business and saving costs for the restaurants you’ve worked. Potential employers like to see that you have the ability to attract new business and maintain old ones. They also want to see that you are cost conscious and are capable of implementing cost-efficient measures without sacrificing quality.

Mention words that are related to your cooking skills and include those that highlight your management experience such as quality control, menu planning and selection and staff training. Your resume should show that you are capable of handling a group and managing day-to-day activities in the kitchen.

Mention your special skills and abilities.

Your certification is a good source of information about your extra skills but it's best to include a separate portion of your resume that will highlight your special abilities. If you are aware of kosher and halal dietary laws, write it down.

If you are knowledgeable about wine and spirits or can speak Italian, French or German, don't be shy about mentioning it. Don’t forget to mention your affiliations and memberships. Your chef's resume should show that you can do more than just man the kitchen and that you can actually interact with your customers.

Never lie about anything.

It's easy to check your references as a chef and whatever exaggerations you make on your resume will be found out, sooner or later. Best stick to the facts.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

How to Make the Most out of the Dutch Oven Cooking

The Dutch Oven is a much revered cooking apparatus that has served generations of kitchens with sumptuous and homey foods like no other. Because of such great adulation for food cooked in a Dutch Oven however people are intimidated by this wonderful kitchen tool. But this shouldn’t be, the Dutch Oven is a very versatile tool that can be used by anyone who know how to cook.

There are some things you can do to bring out the best from Dutch Oven cooking that isn’t that complicated. Here are some tips to make the most out of Dutch Oven cooking:

1. Choosing the right Dutch Oven for optimal cooking A good Dutch oven should have legs. The lid shouldn’t have gaps that will let heat escape. The casting should be even, as well as the thickness of the metallic material. The handle, called a bail, should be securely attached to the oven and should be strong enough to carry it even when full.

2. The oven should be cured properly once obtained Curing prevents the oven from unwanted rusting and food from sticking. A rusty Dutch oven may still be scrubbed by sandpaper with a fine grade to expose the metal. The oven can then be washed with hot soap and water. Put the Dutch oven in a 200 degree oven and coat it with some lard or shortening using a clean cloth. Leave it in for about an hour at 350 degrees. Let the oven cool slowly.

3. Use the right tools Dutch ovens are quite hardy but they can get damaged when the wrong tools are used with them. Never use metal utensils when cooking with the Dutch oven. Use wooden spatulas, forks, spoons, and turners to make sure you don’t scrape the metal. Use well-fitting leather gloves when handling the oven. You also need a lid lifter, lid holders, tongs, a shovel and a whisk broom.

4. Position the coals well You will experience uneven cooking if you don’t position the coals properly or if you don’t use the right amount. Normally you’ll need twice as much coals as the diameter of the ovens bottom. For best results use coal briquettes because they burn more evenly and last longer.

Dutch oven cooking shouldn’t be a complicated matter. If you do these tips, you are close to mastering the noble art of Dutch oven cooking.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Tips for Successful Party Cooking

Cooking for a party can be such a taxing ordeal. You will be preparing food for a more people with little time. But party cooking can still be easy if you know how to manage things. With a few tricks up your sleeve you can cook for your party with ease. Here are some few hints that can make your party cooking a smashing success:

1. You do not need to do all the party cooking Parties are about having friends around, and if people who are coming to your party are indeed friends, you can ask them to lend a hand. You can ask them to bring some food items or you can ask them to help you in the kitchen. An extra hand can easily make things easier and more fun.

2. Plan your menu way ahead of the party You have to know what to cook at least two weeks before the party. This can help you calculate how much you need so that you are sure that there will be enough for everybody. Buying enough is also important so that you won’t have to make those annoying last-minute shopping trips because you ran out of supplies.

3. Cook ahead A lot of party foods can actually be cooked ahead of time. Check your menu for food items that can be cooked a few days before the party itself. This way, you’ll have fewer items when the big day comes. You just need to thaw or reheat the pre-cooked items and serve them at the party.

4. Pre-measure For the items that you can’t cook ahead of time, you can just measure the ingredients ahead of time. The night before, place the ingredients in accessible containers so that on the day of the party you just need to cook them and not waste time with the preparations.

Party cooking may appear to be overwhelming but the hustle and bustle is all in your mind. If you plan well and stick to your strategy, you can manage to make party cooking not only easy, but fun as well. Try out these hints for your next party and witness how things go smoothly. And the most important of all is for you to enjoy because the party is after all for fun. This will ensure the success of your cooking and the success of your party.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Secrets of Southern Cooking Revealed

Good food has incredible history. Can you imagine that the soul foods we enjoy at bistros and at home were introduced by families of the ancient Southern slave states? These meals they share every Sunday have now become most American homes specialties. Even the web has been conquered by different Southern cooking recipes. So learning cooking techniques is easy for every homemakers.

Not every recipe that spells Southern cooking is indeed genuine. You must know how to set Southern cooking apart from other cooking techniques. Note that Southerners are fond of frying so Southern foods are mostly deep fried. If you are avoiding too much fat but love eating Southern foods, then you better use vegetable oils like corn and olive oils.

Another incredible thing with Southern cooking is the use of seasonings. The determining factor is the extensive use of salt, onions, and bacon. Remember, Southern cooking doesn’t usually call for spices but for salty tang. Moreover, even boiled greens are commonly seasoned by bacon, onion, and salt.

On the other hand, what sets Southern cooking style apart from other baking techniques is the frequent use of buttermilk. The special taste of buttermilk has that distinctive Southern flavor. Regular milk won’t give the unique taste of cornbread and cookies.

When it comes to cooking ware Southern cooking wouldn’t be Southern cooking at all if not for cast iron. You can afford it since it is only two to three dollars and can be found at flee markets. Cast irons are good for cooking since they can hold heat for a longer time and cook food easily.

Compared with other cooking styles Southern cooking takes more time to cook especially the greens. Vegetables in Southern cooking aren’t stir fried. They are tender and delicious. However, other recipes like fried okra are just slightly cooked, while green beans take about two hours before becoming tender and dimly colored.

Another pointer to consider is the preparation of food before it is considered a product of Southern cooking. Remember that combining foods is the it thing in Southern cooking. When serving food, meat must always be coupled by greens. So if you are planning to have fried chicken and fried chops always bear in mind that you have to add fried bread, green beans, and cornbread to your recipe.

These are the techniques of having Southern cooking right in your kitchen. What makes Southern cooking addicting is the existence of these components. These are grounded on the history of Southern cooking. Missing one point will immediately make your food Southern cooking wannabes.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

The Main Features of Italian Cooking

What is Italian cooking? Is it more of the food, the preparation, or is it simply a trademark? Generally speaking, Italian cooking is associated with spaghetti and pizzas. And many people even think that Italian cooking is the same all throughout. While that maybe true, Italian cooking can also be diverse and wide-ranging.

The Italian cuisine is referred to as a simple and natural way of cooking. And it just so happens that Italians have a penchant for pastas and cooking them. The result is a multiplicity of pasta recipes served for all occasions. But pastas aren’t all Italian cooking is all about, although their love of sauces, cheeses, and noodles can’t be overlooked.

Italian cooking is the basis of the popular Mediterranean diet. Studies show that the people residing in the Mediterranean area live longer and healthier than others. And so what these people eat on a daily basis was researched. It was found that Italians, and the rest of the Mediterranean people for that matter, eat great quantities of fruits and vegetables. They also use olive oil in their cooking. All these are the backbone of a Mediterranean diet.

Here are the most celebrated Italian cooking delights that everyone loves:

1. Tomato Pizza. Whoever said that pizzas need tons of ingredients in the form of meat, vegetables, and spices for it to taste good? Italians have a way of making the plainest of pizzas look and taste better than you could have ever imagined. Tomato pizzas consist of nothing more than fresh plum tomatoes topped with mozzarella cheese.

2. Macaroni and Cheese. This is yet another simple recipe that has been a household favorite since time memorial. Every American home must have a pack of macaroni and cheese lying somewhere in the cabinet. The main ingredients of this Italian meal are boiled macaroni, cheese, and cream. Meat is optional. But it’s tasty just the same. Kids love it too.

3. Lasagna. If you love spaghetti and macaroni, lasagna can easily be another favorite. There are different variations of lasagna and all of them taste wonderful. Basically, lasagna is distinguished from one recipe to another merely by its main ingredients. There are bologna lasagna, beef lasagna, and chicken lasagna, among many others. Remember Garfield, the lazy cartoon cat on TV? Well, this is his favorite meal.

If you haven’t tasted real Italian cooking, you are missing out. Grab a plate today and realize how succulent it is to eat Italian meals!

Friday, November 14, 2008

How to Properly Execute Solar Cooking

Several conservation techniques produced solar materials. In the food realm mothers can now save electricity and not worry about burning their foods with the advent of the solar cooking technique. This cost efficient and accident free way of cooking has been the interest of food lovers in recent years, but do you know how to properly be involved in solar cooking?

Well, an important tip to consider in solar cooking is that some meat burns faster than greens. Vegetables, bread and red meats take three to four hours before being cooked; while legumes, eggs, fish, chickens and rice take one to two hours of cooking.

To cook your food faster, remember to place the cooker in the direction of the suns angle. This will lessen the cooking time. Also, bear in mind that the cloud covering affects solar cooking. The more clouds there are, the longer you will have to wait before everything is done.

You must also take note that the cooker size, pots size and color, food size and quantity, air temperature, and water content all affect solar cooking. It may be difficult at first to watch all of these things at the same time, but doing so will save you a lot of money.

Know how to make the right cooker. You need to make short and shallow boxes so as to conserve heat. Making a box otherwise will produce a worthless solar cooker. However, if you created the perfect cooker but used a thick, light-colored and huge pot, you can’t continue in doing your solar cooking experience.

Pots must be black to absorb heat. They must also be small and thin so that foods are easily cooked. Yes, the smaller the better! In solar cooking everything must be as small as possible especially the foods. You have to chop the food into small portions because they will cook faster this way.

Remember, although air temperature isn’t considered an important factor in solar cooking you should still consider it. Even if there is sun exposure for you to use in generating heat in your cooker, if the air temperature is so low, food will be uncooked. Lastly, take a closer look at your water content as much as possible boil with small amounts of water.

Perhaps solar cooking to some seems pretty laborious. Well, it is indeed troubling and can only cook food in small amounts but the benefits of cost-efficiency and safety can assure more positive reviews than negative ones. The art of solar cooking is the future of cooking. Next thing we know giant solar cookers will replace ovens.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Tips for Great Outdoor Cooking

Going camping is always exciting. And among the most thrilling part of the great outdoors is cooking in it. Nothing compares being able to commune with nature as you savor the earths gifts. It may seem tricky for some, but outdoor cooking is easier than most people think. After all, our human ancestors have done it for thousands of years. Here are some great tips for outdoor cooking:

Poke holes in those burgers To cook burgers on the grill perfectly, poke a hole the size of your pinky in the center of the patty. This will help cook the burger evenly. Don’t worry that you might end up with a meat donut, the hole will close up slowly as the meat cooks and you will end up with perfect burgers.

Marvel at the wonders of the Dutch oven Perhaps the most incomparable tool you have for outdoor cooking is the Dutch oven. This deep pot made of cast iron does wonders in the great outdoors and can create the most wonderful dishes you can have outside your kitchen. You can make stews, casseroles and other wonderful things with this beauty.

Be sure to keep covered It is important to cover your pots and pans while cooking outdoors. This helps prevent heat from escaping especially during those cold days and nights. It also keeps foreign objects from getting into your food. You don’t want crickets or grasshoppers in your stew, do you?

Make a garbage omelet on your last day camping To easily clean up your cooler or portable fridge, make an omelet on your last day. Put in all the leftovers from your previous camping days and you’ll end up with a clean cooler without wasting anything.

The foil is your best friend Aluminum foil plays a great role in outdoor cooking. You can use it to wrap food such as fish, potatoes, meat, and vegetables for nice and even cooking that helps keep delicious juices intact. You can use it to cover dishes so that you just have to peel instead of wash. You can also use a fist-sized ball of foil to clean the grill.

Outdoor cooking can be a thrilling experience with the right knowledge at hand. Try these tips in the great outdoors and see how good your cooking can be.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Tips on How to Cook Pasta

Pasta is a favorite all around the world. It comes in different shapes and lengths, everything that to suit the occasion or your own preferences. Cooking pasta is easy to do, but always be careful to get the best results.

Fill a pot with water. Pasta should be cooked in a lot of water. Set it to boil to cook the pasta. After the water begins boiling, add salt. It will take longer since salty water usually boils at a higher temperature. The salt that you will add will depends on your personal taste. Never forget to add salt, remember, Italians never forget this. Once the water starts to boil slowly add the pasta.

The pasta will start to soften in a few seconds. Use a long fork to push the pasta into the water. Make sure that it is fully submerged. At this time the water temperature has fallen.

Cover the pot with a lid and quickly boil the water again. It is important that the pot is covered since it boils fast. Do this to prevent the water from splashing out. Never leave the pot unattended, the splashing of water can douse out the gas and possibly start a fire.

Then continue cooking the pasta, this time uncovered. Stir with a long fork to separate each and every piece of pasta.

When it comes to how long the cooking time will be, read the manufacturers instructions, but to make sure, the best thing to do is to test a piece. The Italian expression, al dente, refers to the proper cooking of pasta or when it is soft yet still firm and not overcooked.

If you notice dots or thin white lines in the middle of the pasta, then it isn’t done yet, just test from time to time until the broken piece turns to a translucent yellow.

If the texture is translucent yellow, you can drain using a colander but make sure that it is in a secure position

Stop the cooking process by pouring cold tap water over it; remember that the pasta is continuously cooking even after it’s drained, this way it won’t be served extremely hot. But be careful not to overdo it, remember that you aren’t washing the pasta.

Gently shake the colander to drain the pasta. Lastly, you can now put the pasta in a bowl and serve. Put on the sauce, dressing or cheese, and enjoy.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

How to Incorporate Greek Cooking in Your Kitchen

You don't have to have a big fat Greek wedding to learn Greek cooking. Also, you don't have to go to Greece or be from Greece to cook Greek. There are surefire ways to be able to incorporate Greek cooking in your lifestyle. Amaze your friends and family with these techniques.

1. Seek advice from a native. No other person knows their menu best than the natives. Natives are often more than happy to help you as you learn more and promote their culture by means of cooking.

2. Harness all available resources in the form of books, recipes online, as well as offline. If you are able to get all the resources you have and apply them in your kitchen, you are bound for Greek cooking in no time.

3. Acquaint yourself with ingredients that are Greek.

4. Use lots of fresh vegetables in your menu. This is one of the trademarks of Greek cuisine.

5. Lamb, fish, or chicken; take your pick. These are the three top kinds of meat that Greek natives prefer to have in their meals.

6. Season your food with spices, such as nutmeg, cinnamon, bay leaves, oregano, and dill.

7. Capitalize on freshness, no matter what ingredient you use.

8. Make appetizers (mezethes) to complement the main course.

9. Use a casserole to present your meals. Taverns are popular in Greece and they usually serve their food in one whole casserole containing all the dishes that the cooks have prepared.

10. Make a spinach or cheese pie. Feta ice cream is used on top of a typical Grecian spinach pie.

11. Never smoke the food. Familiarize yourself with techniques such as frying, simmering, sautéing, braising, boiling, baking, stewing, poaching, roasting, pickling, and grilling. Mastery of these techniques will definitely lead you to a viable cooking career in Greece.

12. Have a combination of olives, bread and wine.
13. Whip up some salad.
14. Wrap it up. Greeks are notorious for wrapping their food.
15. Learn how to use the phyllo dough. This is readily available in most supermarkets.
16. Go healthy. Greeks are health-conscious individuals. Fill the menu with antioxidants and other cancer-fighting elements.

Learning how to cook in Greek style is something that not only takes time but also practice and determination. And while you are studying Greek cooking, you may eventually find a fascination with other cuisines which have influenced modern Greek cooking such as French and Turkish cuisines to complete your international repertoire of recipes.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Soup for the Cooks Soul

Most would just grab a pinch of salt and voila. They feel that this move is enough to complete the taste of the soup. But there are better ways for a chef to make the soup taste better. It doesn’t require too much sodium.

First and foremost, reflect on the ingredients of the soup. Most of the time, veggies, herbs and bones are starting base for a good soup.

If you want to reduce or increase the flavor of the soup, you have to taste it between stirring. Its up to you really. You can reduce the soup by half if you feel that there is a lot more kick to it than you expected, but be ready to double the flavor if there comes a point that its bland.

If you’re done cooking the soup but it tastes like it still needs something, reach for wine, lime juice or lemon. You can also spike it with vinegar.

If you want more flavor to the meat, make sure that you sauté it in the pot. You can add more oil or butter to the pot. You can also toss in chopped garlic and onion. Take the time to sauté all the ingredients and let them seep in with one another.

If you are cooking stew and it tastes slightly burnt, you can remedy it by pouring a bit of milk to balance the taste out. Ice cubes can also eliminate the fat portion from the soup as well as the stew. All you need are just a few into the pot and continue stirring. The fat will attach to the ice cubes. Make sure to discard them before they completely melt. Have a paper towel nearby so you can reach for it as you skim your way across the top.

Finally, when you are reheating your soup, you must always use a double boiler. In that way, the soup doesn’t lose its flavor because the hot water is responsible for securing all the ingredients.

There was this story about a traveler who asked a man and wife if he could stay in their house for the night. He said he could make the best stew they ever tasted with only a rock. Now it was a normal rock. The stew he ended up cooking for the man and the wife ended up to be tasty because the homeowners provided him with the ingredients he needed to come up with the stew.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Tips for Amazing Thai Cooking

Thai food can give you one of the most exciting adventures in the world of cuisine. It is filled with flavors and sensations that are incomparable to other kinds of food. Surprisingly for some, Thai cooking isn’t a complicated matter as the cooking procedures in this cuisine are simple and quite easy. It also pays to know some tips and tricks that can make Thai cooking amazing.

Here are some useful hints when cooking Thai food:

1. Use only the freshest ingredients you can find What creates the difference between good and bad Thai food is the freshness of the ingredients. Dried lemon grass, for example, can hardly be compared to the real fresh thing. Your best bet, if fresh isn’t available, could probably be frozen ones as they can still hold much of the flavors of intact compared to dried versions.

2. Invest in quality kitchen tools Thai cooking is done best with the right tools. The equipment need not be expensive, but you should use the appropriate tools when cooking. The most important tool you have is a wok with wooden spatulas or spoons.

Stir frying is one of the core procedures in Thai cooking and it would be hard to do without a good wok. You will also need a stone or marble mortar and pestle to grind the ingredients. Blenders don’t perform as well in Thai cooking as mortals and pestles do. It also pays to have a rice cooker since most Thai foods will need cooked rice.

3. Use leftover rice for fried rice Newly cooked rice doesn’t really work well for fried rice. You can go best with refrigerated leftover rice for the right texture for your fried rice. The best ones are those that are two days old.

4. Preparation is the key Before actually starting the fire, be sure that you have prepared all the ingredients ahead of time. Thai cooking is rather quick and you’ll need to have everything ready before you actually cook. You also need to give the oil time to heat up before you cook so that the food won’t absorb oil excessively. If the oil has dried up as you stir fry, just add cooking wine or water instead of additional oil.

Thai cooking is an exciting culinary adventure. It is easy and fun if you know these tips. So go ahead and try these things for size.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

How to Easily Read and Follow Cooking Recipes

Cooking recipes are guides that a simple housewife or an expert chef can use. These are master plans that can enhance the meals to be served. Reading and following recipes is an important tool to put delicious foods on your table; but beginners may find this hard. Here are simple tips to help you:

1. Being the first step in cooking, reading the recipe takes time. Read the recipe several times thoroughly from start to end. Familiarize yourself with the cooking terms and unknown ingredients first before cooking. You should understand the recipe to be able to cook well.

2. Cooking recipes usually start with the ingredients. Make sure that you have the correct ingredients; there are substitutes for hard to find ingredients. Gather all the ingredients and measuring and cooking utensils that you will need before starting.

3. Alongside the ingredients are the measuring utensils and the measurements, which are all important. The order of words in the cooking recipes can change the preparation of food so be cautious about it. For example, 1 cup chopped onions is different from 1 cup onions, chopped. 1 cup onion, chopped means you should measure 1 cup onion first before you’ve chopped it.

4. Go over the recipe carefully and don’t rush! You should double check all the ingredients and steps to be successful in cooking. Don’t try to alter the cooking recipes or add a little extra sugar, etc., as this may affect the taste of your meal.

5. Cooking recipes contain numerous methods in cooking. There are certain terms like simmer, browning of meat, sauté, stir, mix, fry, etc. There are guides and explanation at the back of many cooking recipes which can help. Familiarize yourself and get acquainted with them.

6. Enjoy your cooking recipes. You can at first follow them but gradually make your own. Making some changes in the recipes isn’t strictly prohibited unless you and your kids don’t like the taste.

Cooking recipes are very useful tools for beginners. It doesn’t mean that when followed, you’ll have an impeccable dish everyone will admire, but it can help develop your skill in cooking. Always keep in mind that your purpose isn’t only to follow and finish a recipe but to produce a good tasting and healthy food everyone will love!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Home Cooking Tips and Tactics

Home cooking has its various advantages and disadvantages. Still, it deserves to be tried by every budding chef. For one thing, home cooking is highly economical. Also, you might find this to be one of the most rewarding endeavors you can try. Here are some things you can try as you venture into home cooking.

1. Have room for variety. If you are able to make your menu as varied and diverse as possible, you will be able to make more discoveries, try all possible techniques, and even develop your own cooking style.

2. Don't be afraid of experimentation. Always try to get your creative juices flowing. Never allow yourself to get stuck in traditional techniques.

3. Employ other family members' preferences and be open to feedback. Nothing beats the improvement you can get from honest evaluations of your cooking skills.

4. Always find time to cook. You use it or you’ll lose it. Regular practice will help you perfect your own style.

5. Be the master of your kitchen. Familiarize yourself with your environment, ingredients and the positioning of your refrigerator, utensil box and dish washing area. Make it as efficient as possible so that you’ll save on time and energy.

6. Unleash your creativity. Don’t be afraid of changing the way you do things or adding new ingredients to a traditionally prepared meals.

7. Involve other people in your home cooking. Link up with people of the same interest. Also, foster the desire to cook within your family.

8. Plan your meals.

9. Clean as you work within your kitchen. This way you will be able to save on time.

10. Organize your cookbooks in a manner most accessible to you.

11. Have a list of items you need to buy. Keep a note pad or notebook handy in case you need something to add to the list.

12. Work according to the season. Take the opportunity to make use of ingredients that are in season.

13. Have a system of cooking.

14. Learn to deal with leftovers. Know how to recycle them.

15. Read the manuals of the appliances you use in the kitchen.

16. Check the ingredients for expiration dates and take note of them.

Home cooking can be very profitable and rewarding in both monetary and non-monetary ways. If you are able to master home cooking, you’ll be ready for almost anything.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Tips and Tricks for Rotisserie Cooking

Rotisserie cooking, or more commonly, spit roasting, is a popular method of cooking big chunks of meat using a barbeque grill. A rotisserie often uses a motorized rod assembly where the meat is skewered, basted and cooked within an enclosed space. The rotisserie allows the meat to cook slowly but evenly and because the unit is constantly turning, meat juices are evenly distributed throughout. The end result is a well done, tender, juicier meat with a crispy crust.

Types of rotisseries

The rotisserie is also called spit roasting because of the metal skewers that make up the device. The spit may be made up of one, two or more bars. There are two types of rotisseries that are commonly used, one is the unit that utilizes a single, long bar to skewer meat. Two prongs are used to attach to both sides of the meat to secure it.

Another type of spit uses two skewers that are attached to gears located on both sides of the rotisserie. This is also referred to as the spit rod assembly and since it secures the meat in place, there is no need to use prongs.

Both types may use a mechanical or motorized device to rotate the food. The mechanical rotisserie utilizes a hand crank to cook the meat while the newer types use a motor that uses electricity.

Rotisserie cooking

Cooking with a rotisserie uses two methods: direct heat and indirect heat. Direct heat cooking involves placing the meat over the source of heat, perfect for cooking smaller cuts of meat such as poultry, beef and pork. This allows the outside portion of the meat to be cooked at almost the same time as the inside portion.

Indirect heat cooking, the more popular of the two, is the method that most of us are familiar with. This allows meat to be cooked gradually and slowly, perfect for the larger cuts of meat, since the interior has to be cooked first before the exterior.

Tips for using your rotisserie

To successfully cook meat with your rotisserie, it is extremely important to preheat the device first before cooking. If your rotisserie comes with a temperature gauge, allow the heat to reach the desired temperature before using. If not, allow the rotisserie to heat for about 10 or 15 minutes, more if your unit is bigger.

Keep the lid closed. This helps trap heat so it cooks the meat efficiently. The best shape of meats to use for rotisserie cooking is cylindrical because all portions are cooked evenly at the same time. Irregularly shaped meats are best cooked using a rotisserie basket.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Things You Should Know About American Cooking

American cooking is highly influenced by immigrants. In fact, a nation of immigrants has a cuisine that is as diverse and unique as each member of the population. Perhaps it is safe to say that American cooking is a mixture of the world's cuisines and it continues to evolve.

Isn't the hamburger American?

When people think of American cooking, they automatically point to the hamburger but even this yummy everyday food is suspect. Foods comparable to the hamburger were brought in by German immigrants. Similarly, much of the cuisine we describe as part of American cooking have influences from other regions and countries. Here are some examples:

Native American

The original Americans cooked some of the most famous dishes known to American cuisine, including turkey, potatoes, pumpkins, corn, beans and peppers. Most of these dishes are often included in traditional cooking and feasts.

California cooking

Characteristically healthy, California cooking depends on the region's harvest of fresh sea foods, fruits and vegetables. It also features some fusion with other types of cuisines, including Chinese and Native American. California cooking enjoys a rich mix of ethnic tastes and some of the best, most innovative avant garde cuisine.

Cajun and Creole cooking

This type of American cooking is a taste of New Orleans and is a terrific combination of French and Spanish cuisine with a little West Indian and African cooking thrown in. Gumbo, jambalaya, chili, hot pepper and other spices are often used, which makes this type of cooking sizzle.

Southern cooking

Barbeque made Southern cuisine famous but this type of American cooking is made up of so much more. Talk about deep-fried chicken and beef served with rich, heavy sauces with fresh vegetables bathed with butter and finished with sweet pies and pudding. Elvis Presley loved this type of cooking and it showed.

Another version of Southern cooking is Soul food, based on African-American cooking. It is characterized by intense, rich flavors and home-cooked meals.


Southwestern

Thanks to its proximity to Mexico, the Southwest was able to develop a wide range of dishes using local harvests and Mexican-style. Another version is Tex-Mex, which is quite popular in cowboy country and elsewhere. This type of American cooking has its own version of barbeque and dishes sprinkled with a good dose of chili. Think nachos, tacos, burritos and salsa.

So what about the taste?

Compared to other cuisines, American cooking may be characterized by foreigners as generally bland. However, we can proudly say that American cooking has none of the snobbery because it was developed mainly from good old down home cooking.