When you have only just started to learn how to cook, navigating your way around a kitchen can be a bit of a minefield. There is so much to learn – and unfortunately, there is no easy way around it. Unless you were brought up around cooking and have done it yourself from a young age, you will simply have to start at the beginning and get lots of practice in. The good thing is that you are never too old to learn – and the sooner you do, the more likely it is that you will be able to pass these skills down to your own children as well. But before you even start flicking through recipe books or taking inspiration from some celebrity chefs, you need to be aware of certain cooking basics. There is no point at all in running before you can walk when it comes to food. You run the risk of ending up with a meal that tastes bad at best, and something that is under-cooked or otherwise dangerous to eat at worst. As a novice chef, here are some things you need to know so you can bring great food to the table every night of the week.
Understanding flavors
Any talented chef will be able to pick out distinguishing flavors of a dish from the top of their heads. For new starters, however, it’s not quite that easy. You may hear all the names of different herbs and spices and struggle to link them all together with an actual flavor – and that’s okay! It takes time to learn these things, so don’t fret. Start by stocking your cupboard full of some seasoning basics. Typically this will mean salt and pepper (used in pretty much every recipe you will come across) as well as cumin, turmeric, chilli powder, thyme and mixed herbs. Familiarize yourself with what these taste like, smell like and how much of each to use in any given dish.
Understanding kitchenware
The last thing you want to do is to end up with undercooked food, or to end up nearly burning your house down because you don’t know how to use the various implements. Before you use anything in your kitchen that requires either electricity or gas power, make sure you know exactly what you are doing. For this, you may need to read an instruction manual, check out a site like Sumo Chef or ask a friend or family member for advice. Once you feel ready to move on from regular appliances such as your oven or crock pot, you may want to invest in something that gives food a specific flavor, such as https://electricsmokercenter.com/brinkmann-gourmet-smoker-grill-review-best-buy/
Understanding staying safe
Although many people don’t realize it, the everyday kitchen can pose a lot of health threats. The average chopping board is said to, upon occasion, contain more types of bacteria than found on a toilet seat – so leave no stone unturned when it comes to kitchen cleanliness. Also, be aware of any potential cross contamination. If need be, purchase separate chopping boards, containers and plates for dealing with raw meat and fish.
