Maybe you have tried cooking before with the result of burnt, unrecognizable food or maybe, you simply don’t have the patience to wait on a slow cooker to cook your meals. Do not give up on cooking! Below are some tips to help you make a variety delicious meals to share with family and friends!

Learn to use your hands when cooking (after washing them thoroughly first of course!). Hands are the most sensitive yet versatile cooking utensil you will own. They can be used for mixing, measuring and testing whether a product is cooked enough. A cake, for example, will show that it is done by springing back when touched lightly with a finger on its top.

When you are chopping herbs before your meal, a tip that you can follow is to throw a little bit of salt on the chopping board. This will give you extra friction so that you can maximize your cuts. Quality cuts of herbs will lead to a great meal when everything is complete.

Saute tired salad greens. If your salad greens have seen better days, don’t discard them – saute them! Salad greens such as radicchio, arugula and endive make a tasty side dish when sauteed. Cook them quickly in olive oil, chopped garlic and sea salt. Sprinkle with a little bacon and goat cheese, and you will be happy that you didn’t throw away those unused salad greens!

Quickly cooking veggies is preferable to slow-cooking methods. Slow cooking, and overcooking, vegetables will destroy their nutritional content and flavor. These cooking techniques are much healthier. It is worth it to take the time to use cooking methods that preserve the most nutrients.

Before you start cooking or baking make sure you have all the ingredients gathered together. This will save you time and prevent cooking mishaps. You’ll have a better product in the end.

It can be very useful to think large when making your favorite chicken stock. If you cook a big pot of stock, you can freeze it for later. Homemade chicken stock adds great flavor to everything from soups to casseroles. After the liquid has cooled you can store it in heavy-duty freezer bags.

When attempting to make baked goods, less fattening, applesauce is a great ingredient to use. It can be used with cake mix, brownies or even pancakes. It is an inexpensive way to make foods that are usually fattening, healthier and delicious. When baking, it is a good idea to use unsweetened applesauce.

Always drain and blot your ground meat after cooking to remove excess fat. Blotting the moisture off of your ground meat is definitely always a great idea. If the moisture is left, it will undergo its natural chemical changes whilst you are cooking. The heat will vaporize the moisture. This can steam the meat, which will make it difficult to sear it.

Whether you’re trying to make fancy dishes for the holidays or quick, economic meals for you and your family, the tips above will help you brush up on your cooking skills so you can make delicious meals! There are millions of recipes from every culture for you to try, so start cooking today!