15 Mistakes Most Beginner Cooks Make (Part 1)
Would you like to master Sourdough Bread Making at home?
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When it comes to making incredible tasting food, the journey is never-ending. Every single time I get in the kitchen to cook, there is always something I can learn or improve on and all it really takes to do that is paying attention! Cooking is about being intuitive and this series will break down all the tips, skills and techniques that i’ve picked up on my 8 year journey of being intuitive in the kitchen!
If you’ve been a Brothers Green subscriber for years, I’m sure many of these tips are already in your arsenal. but like I said before, I’m constantly learning so there’s always some new cooking love to spread around!
Josh and Mike Greenfield make up Brothers Green Eats, a dynamic and brotherly duo that can teach anyone to cook creative and delicious food on a budget.
Recipe:
Chicken and Veggie Stir-Fry
Meat (chicken)
Salt
Seasoning
Cooking Oil
Mushrooms
Onions
Zucchini
Spinach
Chili
Garlic
Ginger
Fermented Soy Sauce
Sesame Oil
Rice Vinegar
Sesame Seeds
Garnish
Dry meat with a paper towel. A lot of chicken that come packaged come with extra liquid. This can be unfavorable when trying to fry up the chicken as the meat will not absorb the flavors if the meat is wet.
Even out meat. Place the meat in a zip lock bag and pound it out until it is even.
Coat with plenty of salt and seasoning. Many times foods will taste plain if it doesn’t have enough seasoning. Also, allow the seasoned meat to sit for at least 10 minutes. Place the seasoned meat in fridge so it can dry out and the salt will help it dry out too. This will enhance the flavors of the seasoning. Give it another pat dry if a little bit of liquid is released while letting it sit.
Control the heat of your pan. There are a different range of heat settings (low, medium, high). You control the heat based on how the foods are cooking.
Make sure you have enough oil or fat in the pan so things cook properly and don’t get burned. If you’re worried about consuming too much fat from oils it is suggested to get healthy cooking oil.
Preheat pan before you add oil. If you add oil before heating up pan then the oil will degrade. Add chicken to the pan and let it cook at a medium-low heat. Let it cook for about 4 minutes until a white ring starts to form around the chicken. Flip it over and let it cook for a little less amount of time. In this case, for about 2-3 minutes on the other side.
Pull meat early and wrap it up in some tin foil as it will cook a little more in the tin foil.
Let the meat sit and do NOT waste the juice from the cooked meat. Letting the meat sit for a few minutes will allow the meat to absorb the juice. Save the meat juice for later on to add to your dish.
Prep your veggies and aromatics. Wash and cut your veggies (mushrooms, onions, zucchini, and spinach) and have them ready for cooking. For the spinach, separate the leaves from the stems and chop up the stems and place with aromatics. Cut up the aromatics (chili, garlic, and ginger). Bonus tip: Always use a compost bowl.
Create a plan. Think of what should be cooked during more time and what needs to be cooked with less time and cook based upon that order. Cook onions and mushrooms together in a pan. Wait a few minutes before throwing in your aromatics (aromatics will burn at a high temperature). After 5 minutes of that cooking you will add in your zucchini.
Do NOT overcook your veggies! Your veggies are better eaten raw so you should not cook them all the way through. Cook until they are crunchy. Add salt.
Let your food chill. This will give your veggies a little crunch. Add spinach into the pan and allow it to cook a little and then add in your chopped up chicken. Add in your chicken juice for better taste!
Season your food. Add in the fermented soy sauce first. Then add very little sesame oil because the sesame oil is very strong and is flavor that you cannot take away. Lastly, add in your rice vinegar. Vinegar brings out the flavor in the foods.
Make your dish look nice! Put it in a nice plate or bowl and you can garnish it with sesame seeds and scally wags. This will make your meal more enjoyable. Enjoy!!
Practice and you will get better. Concentrate on what you’re doing and get over your fears and practice will make you a better cook.
What is the significance of tasting food while cooking?
Cooking is an art that requires skills, patience, and mistakes to learn from. Just as with any other work, you also have to practice and make mistakes to learn how to cook. Starting out as a beginner can be intimidating, but with determination and the right mindset, you can become great at cooking. However, most beginners make basic mistakes that may interfere with the quality of their cooking. It is important to identify and avoid these mistakes while learning to cook. Here are 15 common mistakes most beginner cooks make.
1. Not reading the recipe thoroughly
Many beginners often skip the crucial step of carefully reading the recipe. Reading the recipe helps you understand the steps, the ingredients required, and the necessary equipment needed. Ignoring this step often leads to inaccurate measurements, missing ingredients, or making the wrong dish entirely.
2. Not preparing ingredients ahead of time
Cooking requires a lot of preparation, and having all the ingredients measured and laid out ahead of time makes the cooking process easier and faster. Skipping this step will require you to stop cooking in between to measure out ingredients.
3. Not tasting the food
Many beginners don’t take the time to taste their food. Tasting the food is an important step to determine if the food requires more seasoning, salt, or other ingredients. Skipping this step may lead to bland or over-seasoned dishes.
4. Using the wrong pan
Using the right type of pan is essential to cooking various dishes. For instance, non-stick pans are ideal for cooking veggies, while cast iron pans are best for searing meat. Using the wrong pan for a particular dish may ruin the recipe.
5. Using dull knives
A sharp knife makes it easier to chop, slice, and dice ingredients. A dull knife can make the preparation process more challenging and lead to unevenly chopped and sliced ingredients.
6. Not preheating the oven
Preheating the oven is crucial to make sure the dish cooks evenly. Skipping this step may lead to an unevenly cooked dish.
7. Not following the cooking time
Not following the cooking time as specified in the recipe may result in an overcooked or undercooked dish. To ensure an even and well-cooked dish, follow the specified cooking time.
8. Overcrowding the pan
Overcrowding the pan with ingredients may lead to uneven cooking or steaming instead of sautéing. It is essential to use a large enough pan and spread the ingredients evenly to cook them adequately.
9. Placing food on the pan too early
Placing ingredients on the pan too early may lead to sticking, burning, or not cooking the dish thoroughly.
10. Opening the oven door too frequently
Opening the oven door frequently for checking the dish can result in uneven cooking, temperature fluctuations, or longer cooking time.
11. Not cleaning up as you go
Cleaning up as you go helps to maintain a clean and organized kitchen. Neglecting to clean utensils and bowls as you go may lead to a cluttered and messy workspace.
12. Not using the right amount of seasoning
Using too little or too much seasoning may interfere with the taste of the food. It is important to use the right amount of seasoning to enhance the flavor.
13. Not letting meat rest
When cooking meat, it is essential to let it rest for a few minutes to allow the juices to settle. Skipping this step will lead to dry meat.
14. Not sifting the flour
Sifting flour is necessary to prevent lumps and help it blend perfectly with the other ingredients.
15. Not adjusting the heat
Adjusting the heat while cooking is crucial to prevent burning, uneven cooking, or slow cooking. It is essential to keep an eye on the heat and make adjustments where necessary.
In conclusion, these 15 common mistakes most beginners make while cooking can prove crucial to the taste and outcome of your cooking. Understanding and avoiding these mistakes will make your cooking effort-efficient, productive, and worthwhile. Stay tuned for part 2 of this article on common mistakes most beginners make while cooking.