Learning to cook is becoming one of the favorite activities for many people. Most of them have surely experienced difficulties in their early cooking attempts. Starting from oil splatters, finger cuts while cutting, measuring mistakes, and so on. However, those challenges make cooking even more enjoyable.
There are many benefits you can gain from learning cooking. One of them is saving money. Don't worry because it's never too late to start learning to cook.
For those of you who are just starting to learn cooking, here are some guidelines you can follow. Starting from
Beginner's Guide to Cooking
Although it may feel challenging at first, cooking becomes enjoyable when pursued wholeheartedly. Here's the best beginner's guide to learning how to cook for you.
Read and understand the recipe thoroughly.
Not only beginners, but even professionals often rely on recipe books to make certain dishes. However, you certainly don't have the strong instincts of a professional chef. So, make sure to read and understand the recipe carefully before cooking.
By reading the recipe carefully, you can minimize the occurrence of errors while cooking. Don't let yourself remember missing ingredients and tools in the middle of cooking. It could potentially affect the outcome of your dish.
You also need to be observant and careful in applying the measurements of the ingredients. Make sure the measurements are neither too little nor too much. The most difficult part for beginners is usually interpreting the measurement "to taste". For this method, you can try pouring the ingredients little by little. Do it slowly until it tastes right to you.
Prepare all the cooking utensils and ingredients needed beforehand.
Next, you need to prepare all the ingredients and cooking utensils that will be used beforehand. Some beginners often underestimate this step. However, it is very important to help you become a better cook.
It can be very challenging if you only realize that there are missing tools or ingredients in the middle of the cooking process. As a result, cooking activities can be momentarily or entirely halted. You might even lose enthusiasm to cook again because you've lost your rhythm.
One essential cooking tool that must be available is a gas stove. In this case, the Hock Gas Stove is the right choice. Because the Hock Gas Stove uses a thick, corrosion-resistant, and high-temperature-resistant aluminum base.
Moreover, the Hock Gas Stove is also capable of efficiently distributing blue flames, making the cooking process faster and more evenly cooked. This is certainly suitable for those who are still in the learning stage of cooking.
As for the cooking ingredients, make sure you have prepared everything before heating the pan. From washing to cutting according to your needs. By implementing this step, learning to cook will feel much easier and more enjoyable.
Avoid filling the pan or baking tray too full.
Remember to always leave enough space for your food in the pan or baking tray, especially when frying or baking something to a crispy texture, such as french fries. Why is that?
A crowded pan or tray will actually cause the food to "steam" instead of frying or baking it. This will alter the texture of the dish you're making. Instead of crispy, it might end up soggy or soft.
If you do want to make a large quantity of food at once, use a large-sized pan. Fortunately, the Hock Gas Stove is sturdy enough to withstand loads of up to 175 kg, making it suitable for cooking large amounts of food.
However, if you only have a small-sized pan, it's best to cook slowly. The key is not to overcrowd the food when frying or baking something. Leave enough space for it to cook evenly and achieve the perfect texture.
Use a good quality cooking knife.
One kitchen tool you shouldn't overlook when learning to cook is the knife. Almost every cooking process requires the assistance of this tool. However, choosing a cooking knife shouldn't be taken lightly.
There are various types of knives, each with its own purpose. One of them is the chef's knife. Typically, this knife has a length ranging from 15 to 20 centimeters. The chef's knife is perfect for cutting various types of food ingredients, from meat to vegetables. That's why a chef's knife is considered a must-have item in every kitchen.
Choose cooking ingredients that are fresh and of high quality.
Usually, a beginner doesn't have many spices and raw ingredients in their kitchen. Therefore, you need to buy everything first. However, remember that the selection of raw materials can affect the quality of the dish.
So, buy cooking ingredients such as vegetables, meat, and fruits that look fresh and of good quality. If they appear to have been stored for a long time or are wilted, it's better not to buy them. Look for ones that are still fresh and more suitable.
Don't leave the kitchen for too long while cooking.
One bad habit someone may have while cooking is leaving the kitchen unattended for too long. While there may be times when you have a few minutes to wait for the food to cook, it's very risky.
As a result, the dish you're cooking could burn or become overcooked. Worst of all, your kitchen could experience something undesirable, such as a fire around the kitchen or even the entire house. You certainly wouldn't want that to happen, right? That's why it's best to get into the habit of not leaving the kitchen too often while cooking.
Don't cook frozen meat.
Before cooking, make sure you have prepared all the necessary ingredients, including meat or fish. If you store meat or fish in the refrigerator until it freezes, don't cook it directly in a pan or on a grill.
Let the frozen meat or fish sit at room temperature for some time until all the ice melts. At least until all the ice has thawed. Once done, clean the surface of the meat with a towel to remove any remaining moisture.
Avoid using too high of a flame.
The last thing to pay attention to for beginners who are learning to cook is the level of heat used. Remember that not all cooking processes require very high heat. Why is that?
Instead of cooking perfectly, this can actually make your dish burnt or charred. Therefore, follow the instructions for the stove's heat level as stated in the recipe book.
Those are some complete guidelines you need to know when learning to cook, especially for beginners. Don't worry if you experience failure the first or second time. Don't lose your spirit to keep trying again. Keep up the enthusiasm and productivity!
