One of my goals this year was to become a better cook. If you want to step up your cooking game too, you’re in luck! Below are 20 suggestions of documentaries to watch/books to read, and techniques/tips to pick up so you can become more skilled in the kitchen.
1) Upgrade basic ingredients
Here are some tips:
- Instead of Table Salt, use Sea Salt, Truffle Salt, or Himalayan salt
- Trade basic Parmesean cheese for goat cheese, Asiago, or Romano for a richer flavor (or you could even use nutritional yeast as a vegan alternative)
- Ditch the pre-ground powdery pepper, and use freshly ground black pepper. I love the grinders that let you adjust how course to grind the pepper.
2) Practice, practice, practice!
Cooking is just like any other activity that requires skill and coordination. The more you do something, the better you get!
I made this map showing where cooking classes are offered in Maryland, DC, and Virginia so you can see what classes are available at a venue near you:
(Did you know I also provide a round-up of the best cooking classes in my Foodie Happenings Guide? Check it out to see what cooking classes are on the agenda from now until May, 2019!)
3) Challenge yourself to recreate a dish or cocktail similar to one you’ve had in a restaurant
This concept is the underlying theme for all recipes shared on Eatlikeyoureonvacation.com! It’s not only a fun personal challenge to mirror something that’s restaurant quality, it’s also a lot cheaper to eat at home. I was shocked when I learned that restaurants charge about a 300 percent markup on the items they serve.
4) Learn about the four elements of good cooking: “Salt Fat Acid Heat”
When I took my cooking class, the instructor referred to the four elements multiple times, making me realize I needed to get this book by Samin Nosrat or watch her Netflix series. She explains how each element works in conjunction with another to make food taste amazing. I can’t wait to dive into this!
5) Join a cooking challenge or create one yourself!
The blog Sallys Baking Addiction hosts monthly community challenges. Here’s how it works: Sally shares the Recipe of the Month and participants who make the recipe share a photo on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #sallysbakingchallenge. At the end of the month, one random person who participates gets selected, and they win a $250 Amazon gift card prize.
6) Consider cooking rice, couscous, pilaf, or risotto in bouillon instead of water
This enriches the flavor of the grain and I think this especially works well with Italian dishes. You could also infuse water with a teabag, or replace water with coconut water for Asian dishes.
7) Get inspired to get creative with food “waste”
The documentary “Theatre of Life” on Netflix follows chef Massimo Bottura as he opens a soup kitchen to cook gourmet meals for the needy from food waste at the 2015 Milan Expo. I dare you not to tear up while watching this trailer:
8) Get meat to room temperature before cooking it
Allowing meat to get to room temperature before cooking will make it juicier and more evenly cooked through. I usually take meat out of the fridge as soon as I start preparing the kitchen for cooking.
9) Retain seasonings with a cast-iron skillet
Before you commit to cooking with a cast-iron skillet, you need to commit to cleaning it properly. Do NOT wash it using soap, steel wool, or in the dishwasher. Also, don’t make the same mistake I once made and leave the skillet in the sink with water—this will rust the surface. Rather, clean it immediately after use so food won’t get suck on there, using just a little bit of water and kosher salt, and scrub with a brush or sponge. Then wipe the surface clean with a dab of olive oil on a paper towel.
10) Taste—and season—at every stage of cooking
If you wait till the end, it’s probably too late to make corrections by adding more salt, acid, or spice to balance things out.
11) Join a cooking club
I recently discovered the Baltimore Supper Club, a community of people passionate about food. Members are encouraged to share pictures of food they make, as well as host group dinners, and share recipes. Join the club’s facebook group to be a part of the action!
12) Tenderize your meat
This is a trick I observed my Grandma Mary doing back in the day. She would use a little meat mallet to hammer slices of meat like a chicken breast or steak. Doing this breaks down the fibers in the meat, making it tender and easier to chew. It almost will melt in your mouth.
13) Leverage Pinterest for inspiration and note-taking
Not only do I use Pinterest for finding recipes, I also like to use the app to track which recipes I’ve made. Under a recipe’s description, Pinterest asks, “Tried this Pin? Add a photo or video to show how it went.” This is where you can provide your notes on things you would adjust if you want to make the recipe again. When you go back to your Pinterest profile, you can see everything you’ve made under the tab labeled “Tries.”
14) Try out a meal kit delivery service
I used to subscribe to Blue Apron, and it introduced me to so many seasonings and types of produce that I never knew existed before. I loved how the service eliminated the question of “What should I make for dinner tonight,” because I made my weekly meal selection in advance. Other companies that provide a meal kit delivery service are Peach Dish, Home Chef, Hello Fresh, and Plated—have you tried of those? Let me know which service you liked best!
15) Learn about the health benefits of eating a plant-based diet
Watching the documentary “Forks Over Knives” (2011) has changed the way I think about vegetables. The movie examines the claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods.
16) Toast nuts to bring out the flavor and add crunch
Bring out the flavor within nuts by toasting them on a stovetop for about 5 minutes, and every 30 seconds stir them around so they don’t get burnt. You’ll know they’re done when they start to get fragrant and look slightly toasted. MMM!
17) Salt your pasta water
Not only does this step make it quicker to boil water, doing this one simple task can instantly make your pasta taste less bland. Bon Appetit suggests using kosher salt, not table salt, and if using a flakier brand, such as Diamond, then add about 2 tsp for every 4 quarts (or gallon) of water. If you’re using a round, pebbly kosher salt (e.g. Morton’s) then you’d need about 4 tsp.
18) Buy organic produce that is most likely to contain pesticides
Have you heard of the Dirty Dozen? Since 2004 The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization focused on human health and the environment, has produced a report that evaluates pesticide residue found on produce. I personally don’t think it’s necessary to buy everything organic, but after learning about the EWG’s findings, I will make more of an effort to buy organic for the dirty dozen, found below:
19) Skewer Kebabs using rosemary stems
Impart an aromatic essence to your grilled meat, vegetables, or pineapple by using rosemary sprigs instead of wooden skewers. To avoid burning on the grill, soak the rosemary stems in cold water for an hour. If they seem brittle or thin, you could poke the pieces with a wooden skewer first.
20) Never overcrowd your skillet with food
This will cause heat to get trapped and steam food, rather than get evenly distributed and produce browned edges. Everyone knows the crispy bits are the best!
