Do you find that there are things in the kitchen that you just can’t get right? You try them again and again, but every time it goes wrong in some way. You might still have something edible, but it’s not what you expected it to be. Eventually, you give up because you can’t get it to turn out how you want it to. This can be pretty frustrating, especially when it seems like what you’re attempting really shouldn’t be that hard. But what can seem like an easy skill can turn out to be more difficult if you don’t follow the right steps. Here are some tips that might help!
Image from Pexels – CC0 License
Making Perfect Rice
Making rice should be one of the most simple things you do in the kitchen. And yet, it can so often turn out to be too starchy and sticky when you want it to be fluffy. Fortunately, if you struggle to make rice, there are plenty of people who can give you smart tips. To start with, make sure you wash your rice to remove some of the starch. Next, you only need to just cover your rice with water so that it’s absorbed as it cooks, instead of draining it at the end. To make things even easier, simply get a rice cooker.
Breading and Frying
Breading and frying a piece of meat, or perhaps vegetables, doesn’t seem like it should be that hard. But when you try, it can often result in the coating all falling off or not crisping up. If this often happens to you, there are solutions you can use. Refrigerating after your meat or vegetables after breading and before you fry is a great hack—it makes the BEST chicken paillard! Another important step to take is to ensure your chicken (or whatever you’re using) is dry before you dip it in your liquid. Get rid of excess flour, apply a good crumb, and pat it on firmly.
Image from Pexels – CC0 License
Poaching Eggs
Poaching eggs is the one egg-cooking method that so many people struggle with. Boiling, frying, or scrambling can seem pretty easy in comparison. If your attempts at poached eggs often end up a mess, there are lots of tricks you can use. Firstly, your water should be simmering and not boiling. Secondly, make sure you use vinegar. You can put it in the water, or even leave your egg sitting in some vinegar for a minute or two before you tip it into the water. Some people like to swirl the water before they tip in their egg, but it’s not essential.
Baking Bread
Bread baking eludes some people for several reasons. Firstly, you need to follow the recipe carefully. However, you sometimes need to know when you need to adjust and, for example, add more flour or liquid. Secondly, you need to be patient and know the signs that your bread is ready for the next stage. For example, you can check if you’ve kneaded your dough enough by stretching out a small piece and seeing if it becomes translucent without breaking. Poking your dough will tell you if it’s proved enough. For an easy way to start baking, try a no-knead recipe.
Some cooking skills can be tricky to master, but the right tips can help you to understand where you might be going wrong.
Thank you for reading!
lyndsinreallife