The world’s best kitchen tips
Posted on | November 19, 2009
While we are waiting for the winner of the CookingSchoolConfidential contest to be announced (and it will be, soon) I thought I would share some amazing cooking tips with you.
See, when I held my contest, I asked people who entered to please contribute their best kitchen tips.
And there were a lot of great kitchen tips, indeed.
So many, in fact, that I will break that avalanche of tips into a few posts.
(Oh, and I also got some truly hysterical kitchen stories which I will share, too. So stay tuned!)
Kitchen tips from readers
Who know I had such clever, knowledgeable, sophisticated cooks reading me? How do I know you are clever, knowledgeable, and sophisticated? Why just look at some of the great tips you left.
1. Clean up as you go…makes things a LOT easier
2. Salt and Cold water to wash your hands in order to get the smell of garlic, onions or fish off your hands!
3. Learn to understand, use and stock your spice cabinet; but never be afraid to try new things.
4. Add an unexpected or “secret” ingredient in just about everything. The best happy accidents happen this way!
5. Relax and realize if everyone’s wine glass is full, you’ll be a success
6. sharpen your knives
7. Add a little balsamic vinegar instead of lemon juice to a berry pie. Delicious!
8. Take the time to enjoy cooking.
9. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new foods and flavors. Seriously, that’s the only way to know if you really like something.
10. Get your husband to cook dinner!
There will be more tips to come. But, in the meantime, do please share your tips. This is how we all learn to cook.
And stay tuned for the winner.
Cheers!
Comments
7 Responses to “The world’s best kitchen tips”
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November 19th, 2009 @ 7:54 am
I love when I read your posts with kitchen tips! I’m always eager to learn ways to be better in the kitchen.
Also, I’m considering culinary school. Any words of wisdom from a seasoned student?
November 19th, 2009 @ 8:30 am
Oh, I’m so glad. There will be a lot more kitchen tips to come – you guys left me so many of them in the contest that I have a ton to share.
Funny timing … I just heard a clip somewhere where Anthony Bourdain rails AGAINST culinary school. Ah well…
For school, I’d say to look for a small teacher:student ratio, make sure you will learn what you want to learn (we’re spending a lot of time learning about restaurant management and I don’t want to manage a restaurant!), and as much time as you want in the kitchen (we spend between 2 to 3 hours a day there and about the same in lecture; I’d prefer less lecture and more kitchen).
Those are the key points that come to mind.
Enjoy it, if you go, and let me know how you are coming along. It can be a lot of fun!
November 19th, 2009 @ 8:45 am
Thanks so much! I’m actually leaning towards a smaller school rather than the larger school since I know I don’t want to work in a restaurant either.
I’m very interested in cooking instruction as it beings such joy when people realize cooking isn’t as hard as they thought.
November 19th, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
‘Tis the season for squash. After getting hand cramps while trying to peel butternut squashes & pumpkins, some unknown inspiration whispered “Try using your cheese blade.” (NOT the wires; blades only.) Goes through those tough skins like buttah! Also through YOUR skin, so be careful and/or wear an oyster glove if you have one!
November 19th, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
Wow, I’ve been called a “real foodie.” I’ve made the big time, now, Mom!
Thanks for including me. (Mine was #4.) My daughter asked today, while grocery shopping for scratch-made mac and cheese…”Are we going to add a secret ingredient?”
Always.
November 22nd, 2009 @ 9:20 am
Fabu tips. I especially love the part about letting your husband cook dinner. I need to learn to let go of kitchen control and let him take over once in a while.
November 22nd, 2009 @ 10:30 am
I love the “let the husband cook” tip, too. Sometimes, as a present, my husband gives me two coupons (which he designs and prints) for him to cook dinner.
Now, he helps throughout the year with the cooking and cleaning, but when I use a coupon, I get to lounge on the couch, eating bon bons and watching soaps (well,perhaps not!) while he takes charge and does it all.
Last time, he made the Mushroom Moussaka from Saveur (www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Mushroom-Moussaka). It was incredible. And perfectly cooked.
I’m hoping I’ll get more coupons in December, hint, hint, honey, if you are reading this. Fabulous present!
Cheers!