5 Basic Cooking Skills That Everyone Should Know

You don’t have to be the best cook to make delicious and nutritious meals. Despite what many people first think, you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen every evening either.

No matter what age or skill level you are, you can enjoy cooking. With a little practice, you can build up your skills using basic cooking methods.

Remember that no Michelin star chef was born with the amazing skill set that they now have. Although you might not be aiming for a Michelin star, you can still boost your cooking abilities. Doing so will make being in the kitchen safer and more enjoyable.

Here are five basic cooking skills that everybody should know.

Knife Skills

Whether you are chopping, dicing or mincing, using the proper knife and cutting technique will not only make your job easier, but safer, too. Two important tips include, holding the knife correctly and keeping the fingers of your non-cutting hand out of the way by curling them if they are on the cutting board.

Cooking Pasta

It’s easy to undercook or overcook pasta. Just one extra minute of cooking can take a perfect portion of pasta into a mushy mess!

The exact time to cook your pasta depends on the type of pasta you are using, so be sure to check the packet instructions.

Add a pinch of salt to your pot to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick together. Also, make sure you fill the pot with enough water; as the pasta cooks, it will absorb the water.

Making Stocks

Stock is at the heart of a range of dishes, including soups and stews.  Once you try cooking with homemade stock you might never go back to a store bought version again!  There are a lot of easy stock recipes available online.  When making stock - remember this rule.  Your stock should never be boiled.  Let it simmer so that you can skim off the fat.

Cooking Meats

Knowing how to cook poultry, red meats, and fish properly is not only going to save you time in the kitchen but will also keep you and your family safe.

Learn how to store, handle, and cook meats perfectly to avoid contamination, prevent illness and maximize their flavors. Consider investing in an instant-read thermometer to ensure your meats are cooked to the recommended internal temperature.

Herbs & Spices

Herbs and spices can take your cooking from mediocre to delicious.  Start small - you can always add more.  Remember to taste as you go.  Consider adding basil, mint, rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, cinnamon and paprika to your shopping list.