Cooking Tips

Food/Drink/Culinaria
1

I thought a help type discussion would be good for the group.
So, any good tips, why not post them here?

2

Butter

800pxButter_with_a_butter_knife.jpg721×479 29.8 KB

The rich taste of butter is unrivalled for frying. However, it does have a low burning point, and can blacken the food easily, giving an acrid taste.
Try frying with a mixture of cooking oil and butter. Gently melt in the pan and bring up to the required temperature before adding the food.
The oil and butter mixture will prevent any unwanted taste or residue on the food

3

Custard

Real custard can be quite difficult to make as it is prone to splitting (curdling)
Why not try a tablespoon of cornflour beaten in with the egg yolks and sugar before the cream is added?
There is no difference to the taste, and the custard works ever

4

Sun Dried Tomatoes

5

You have some great tips! Here’s one for you:
Cream of Tartar is impossible to find in France. Although it comes from scrapings of the inside of a wine barrel – go figure!

When you need some Cream of Tartar to make your egg whites nice and fluffy, try using a little salt. It works just fine.

6

Tortilla Chips

Tortilla chips are great, but loaded with salt and fat.
If you want a healthier alternative try this:
Cut each wrap into about 8 wedges. Place in a hot oven for about 15 minutes until nicely browned.
Serve with dips and you will find them far tastier than the others.

7

Citrus Fruits

Two tips for citrus fruits. 1. Limes and small lemons can be very difficult to juice. If you place them in a hot oven for a few minutes they will yield far more. Limes work better if sliced into four lengthways and squeezed from the pointed ends. 2. We often are tempted to buy citrus fruits in large quantities, only to find we don't have a use for them all. Try slicing in small batches and freezing. They can be added to drinks and add a burst of zesty flavour and also act as an ice cube.
8

TOFU.

Tofu is a popular vegetarian ingredient, although many of us don’t really know how to prepare it.
Try cutting into large squares, marinading it in soy sauce, balsamic vinegar with some crushed garlic and chilli. Leave for an hour to soak.
Thread on to wooden skewers, brush with sesame oil and cook under a hot grill for 10-15 minutes. Delicious.

9

Food Tips. Strawberries.

Strawberries are not the best of fruits to keep. Often they bruise and spoil within a day of purchase.
Rather than throw them away, try trimming them of any soft areas, cut in half and place in a dish. Sprinkle with a few teaspoons of rosewater and leave a room temperature for an hour.
There will be a fragrant juice coating them and they can be eaten as they are or topped with some cream or good vanilla ice cream with the juices drizzled over the top.