5 Basic “How-to” Tips While Working In The Kitchen

1.How do you get the garlic smell off your hands and fingers: Simply rub them in your kitchen sink; the stainless steal will absorb the excess garlic smell. Then wash with soap and water; smell gone!

2.How do you cook pasta perfectly: Be sure to boil it in plenty of water, and add enough salt that the water tastes like the sea. DO NOT add oil to the pasta water; it will only make the surface of the pasta slick and the sauce will only slide off, and not be absorbed. When the pasta is about 2 minutes from being perfectly el dente, drain it and add it directly to your sauce. This will allow the pasta to not overcook and ensure that the sauce is fully absorbed.

3.How do you ensure your food is perfectly seasoned: Season in layers! Meaning, every time you add an ingredient to your pot or pan, add a little salt and pepper. Do not wait to the last minute to add salt and pepper to your food, or it will just taste bland in some areas and salty in others. Also, by adding a little at a time, you can have full control over the seasoning. Remember, you can always add, but you can’t take it out.

4.How to get a great sear on your meat or seafood: Searing food means to caramelize or brown the sugars of the protein you are cooking; resulting in a beautiful, golden-brown crust. A simple tip, is pat your protein dry with a paper towel before adding it to a medium-high pan. Drying it will ensure you get a crusty sear instead of a gray-ish boil…yuck!

5.How do you thicken a stew, soup or sauce last minute: It’s called a beurre manie (burr-man-yay). In a bowl add equal parts butter and flour, and knead it together with a fork. Once combined, add it to the liquid and bring it back up to a bubble if not already there, to cook out the flour taste. Poof, you have a thickened sauce, that also has a glossy sheen because of the addition of butter. Typically you need only about 1 or two tablespoons of this mixture, so start small.