Cooking delicious meals at home doesn’t have to be difficult or require years of training. With a few simple kitchen hacks and techniques, anyone can cook restaurant-quality dishes in their own kitchen. From preparing ingredients to cooking techniques, follow these pro tips and tricks from Cookunity to cook like a seasoned chef.
Prep Smarter, Not Harder
The key to cooking amazing meals is having your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you even turn on the stove. Here are some prep hacks to set yourself up for success:
- Mis en place – This French culinary phrase means “putting in place” and refers to having all your measured ingredients ready to go. Gather and measure everything needed for the recipe beforehand so it’s at your fingertips.
- Prep produce first – Wash, peel, chop, and slice all fruits, veggies, and herbs at the start. It makes cooking go faster.
- Multi-task – While one thing is cooking, prep other ingredients for the next steps. Stay a step ahead.
- Set up a prep station – Keep a cutting board, knives, bowls, and prep tools in one work area. Organize ingredients assembly-line style.
Pro Cooking Strategies
Once your prep work is done, it’s time to start cooking. Use these pro tips as you cook to take your skills up a notch:
- Heat control – Learn to control heat levels. Use high heat for searing and boiling. Low heat allows food to cook gently without burning.
- Brown properly – Browning adds layers of flavor. Ensure pans are hot before adding oil or butter. Wait for it to shimmer before adding food.
- Season in stages – Season at various stages of cooking. Salt meats before cooking. Finish with herbs and spices after cooking.
- Use aromatics – Sauté onion, garlic, herbs, and spices to build a flavor base before adding other ingredients.
- Deglaze pans – After browning meat or veggies, deglaze the pan with wine or broth to incorporate browned bits stuck on the bottom.
- Let food rest – Allowing cooked meat, poultry, or fish to rest 5-10 minutes allows juices to redistribute evenly. Slice after resting.
Take Skills Up a Notch
Once you’ve mastered cooking basics, try taking your skills up a level with these advanced techniques:
- Sear then braise – Brown meat first over high heat then braise or simmer gently in liquid for tender results.
- Pan sauces – After searing meat, make an easy sauce right in the pan using broth, wine, butter, and herbs.
- Smoke points – Know oil smoke points and use oils like avocado, grapeseed or canola for high-heat cooking to avoid burning.
- Marinades – Soak proteins in marinades for added moisture and flavor. Try yogurt, citrus, vinegar, or ethnic pastes.
- Butter basting – For the juiciest meat and fish, baste cooking proteins by spooning hot melted butter over them continuously.
- Trussing – Tie up boneless roasts, poultry, or fish with kitchen twine to maintain shape and cook evenly.
- Carryover cooking – Meat keeps cooking slightly after removing from heat. Allow for carryover by pulling meat 5°F before desired doneness.
Kitchen Hacks for Easier Cooking
In addition to cooking skills, having the right kitchen tools and tips can make the cooking process much simpler:
- Kitchen shears – Sturdy, sharp shears make prep work like snipping herbs, cutting boneless meat, and trimming vegetables easy.
- Proper knives – A good chef’s knife and paring knife are kitchen essentials. Keep them sharp.
- Instant-read thermometer – Take the guesswork out of doneness, especially for proteins. Use a thermometer for perfectly cooked meat.
- Prep ahead – Do vegetable chopping, make dressings and sauces, or cook grains like rice ahead of time to use throughout the week.
- Clean as you go – Stay organized during cooking by washing used prep bowls and utensils right away.
- Set a timer – Use a timer to avoid burning food and to stay on track with cooking steps.
- Nonstick pans – Invest in good nonstick frying pans and baking sheets. Food releases easier and cleaning is simpler.
By prepping ingredients efficiently, using proper cooking techniques, and having the right tools, anyone can cook restaurant-quality meals at home. Follow Cookunity’s simple kitchen hacks to improve your cooking skills and wow your family and friends with your impressive dishes. Cooking like a pro is easier than you think!