Cooking
Cooking is not magic. It is possibly art or science depending on your viewpoint. For the creative or artistic, then cookery is probably an art. If you are methodical, then treat cookery as a science. Whichever you decide it is, you can do it by following a few rules. These rules must apply even if you are artistic – perhaps they are even more important.
How to start cooking successfully.
The first thing you should know is that cooking has it’s own language which you must learn. (As with most things in life). Get a good old fashioned cook book and you will find a list of meanings in the front – Definitions and descriptions of weights and measures etc. It will also sometimes tell you how to boil, simmer, braise, roast or bake. There may also be conversions from Gas to electricity scales. You may not find all this information in more modern book. The older classic books are often better in this regard
Getting Started Cooking.
Start with something simple the first time. Once you have mastered this you can start to separate eggs and make meringues etc.
Before doing anything, read the recipe through – twice. Make sure you understand it. If in doubt about the meaning of any terms, look it up. Never take chances – it may possibly be wrong – and important. Now lay out all your ingredients. At this point you should measure the amounts you require and place them on plates or cups. Always weigh and measure everything, don’t guess. If it turns out well, you can duplicate it . If it isn’t exactly right, you can then change the quantity of the ingredient which makes the difference. (Usually salt or sugar, but maybe other items such as flour).
The key to success is to start with easy home cooking recipes
Once you have mastered simple recipes such as scrambled eggs on toast, you can move on, try omelettes or soufflés. Much the same ingredients – just alternative (and more difficult) ways of cooking them. Don’t be fooled, nobody makes a dificult meal at their first attempt, practice makes perfect and whilst the meal does not turn outperfect it will usually be edible.
Once you have mastered with a few meals, experiment slightly, so they become your own. change flavourings and see how you like it. Many times it will be magnificent, sometimes it will not work. Again, always measure and keep a note of your work so that you can duplicate a recipe that is successful.
Finishing your Dish.
It has become more important to present your dish so that it pleases not just your taste buds but also your eye and sense of smell. It is proven that people who have no sense of smell do not enjoy food as much as those who have this sense. Therefore if a dish looks good you are more inclined to expect to enjoy it and are more likely to try it. This is where creative people find it easier to produce an enticing dish than those not so artistically gifted.
And Finally, cooking should be enjoyable. If you like preparing your meals, it will show.
