Cooking can be a fun, experimental activity for both the seasoned chefs and the novices in the kitchen. Imagine the plate being a blank canvas. as the chef, you can create something both visually appealing and tasteful. Every dish made is slightly different. Just like anything in life, the more you practice, the better you get and the more experimental you may want to get on the plate.
With so many brands of consumer goods out there it is sometimes hard to figure out what products are great, fair, or just terrible. Most recipes require fresh quality products and herbs, paired with moderate cooking techniques.
By using a few key quality ingredients, you can truly elevate your dishes to another level—
Table of Contents
Use A Quality Olive Oil
With Olive Oil being a healthy fat, it makes sense to cook with this oil over other oil options. To get all of the health benefits, find an olive oil brand that has been minimally processed will be optimal with both taste and quality.
When looking for quality olive oil, only look at brands that do not use a translucent bottle. Light is an enemy of olive oil. When it comes to olive oil, the fresher it is, the better. Stick to oil labeled as “extra virgin olive oil” only. Extra virgin olive oil is a healthy fat so use it liberally in all of your cooking.
Fresh Ingredients Are The Best
Some people opt to buy frozen ingredients so that the items can be stored for a longer duration. By using frozen foods, you are compromising the quality, taste, and texture of your final dish. During the freezing process, many foods lose their full nutritional value and crispness. Instead, opt for fresh vegetables and meats that have not been frozen. You will taste the difference in the final product and also notice a difference in texture.
Master Your Sauces
The sauce on a dish can make or break it. Sauces will give the dish dimension, complexity, and add a vibrant flavor range. Some of the most popular sauces include tomato sauce, bechamel sauce, red wine reduction, hollandaise sauce, chimichurri sauce, just to name a few.
No matter the type of sauce, there are resources online outlining the step-by-step instructions. Follow the guide every time until you have mastered the technique.
Incorporate Unique Ingredients
If you normally cook with very basic ingredients, dabble with your adventurous side and add ingredients you have never thought to use before. Since the fun in cooking comes when you get to experiment, using at least one unique ingredient will get you out of your comfort zone.
Unique ingredients that may be fun to play with are fennel, fish eggs, sea urchin, chorizo, octopus, buffalo,
Finish The Plate With Fresh Herbs
As a dish cooks, the flavors will infuse with each other blend together. Fresh herbs like rosemary, basil, dill, oregano, mint, and parsley may give your dish an extra oomph in flavor if added towards the end of the cooking cycle. In addition to the added flavor, adding fresh herbs will give your finished dish added polish.
Bon Appetite!
By incorporating more quality products in your cooking, you will feel your tastebuds dance with excitement with every bite you take. Use a few ingredients that may push you out of your comfort zone.
Be proud of every dish that you create, even if you miss the mark with taste. Remember, the more you attempt to cook, the better you will get. Many of today’s most popular chef’s had many kitchen failures before they created the recipe for their signature dish.