There’s nothing like cooking—you take the time out of your day to prepare a tasty meal for yourself or your loved ones. While they may enjoy it, it could sometimes feel like you’re preparing the same thing over and over. It’s not a bad thing, but you don’t get to get bored with your meals.
After all, cooking should be a fun activity. And to keep it that way, it’s best to improve your cooking skills. Here are a few things you can do to enhance them.
1. Invest in Ceramic Cookware
Everyone has that favorite pot or pan they use for every meal. No matter how scratched or burnt they get, they will be a staple in your kitchen. Although it may not directly affect your food’s taste, it can hinder your cooking processes because of the cookware’s wear and tear.
If you’re serious about enhancing your cooking skills, you should invest in ceramic cookware. If you’ve ever watched a cooking show, you’ll notice chefs with these kitchen accessories because they are easier to use. Other benefits of ceramic cookware include:
- Non-reactive elements against acidic foods
- Better heat transfer
- Nonstick material, so no more burnt items leaving the pan
- Easy to maneuver because of the lightweight material
- Longer lifespan than other types of cooking accessories
Ceramic cookware also comes in various colors. So if you’re considering upgrading your kitchen’s color scheme, you can find ceramic cookware to complement those colors.
2. Limit Recipe Use
There are plenty of cookbooks with different recipes. Yes, they can be great if you want to try something new. But they can also hinder you because not all recipes are the same. So what happens if you get caught between two conflicting recipes?Â
Some may ask you to put a dish on “medium heat,” but what if your stove runs hotter than the authors? You won’t know what that means. Other recipes may use terms like “large onion” or “a dash of salt,” which can all be relative.
Release your cooking skills from the shackles of recipes. Trust your instincts through taste and smell. We’re not saying that recipes are bad, but you should use them as a guideline, not the absolute rule.
3. Upgrade Your Knives
Along with upgrading to ceramic cookware, knives are another kitchen accessory you should keep sharp (see what we did there). It’s probably the item you use the most while cooking, next to your stirring spoons. You don’t want dull knives because they can easily slip off whatever you’re trying to cut and cause a kitchen accident.
To keep your knives sharp, invest in honing steel. You could also upgrade your entire knife set to ensure proper sharpness. Most come with five to six blades, but the essential ones are:
- Chef’s knife
- Paring knife
- Carving knife
A chef’s knife is the all-rounder; you’ll use it for dicing, mincing, chopping, etc. A paring knife is beneficial when working with smaller foods or trying to peel something like an orange or tomato. Carving knives are essential when slicing meat or bread. With these accessories in the kitchen, you’ll be a master chef (pun intended).
4. Organize Your Kitchen
Have you ever been looking for a specific ingredient while cooking and couldn’t find it? It’s frustrating because that small window can mess up your entire meal, aka eating something burnt for dinner. That’s why it pays to have an organized kitchen.
It’ll make it easier to find what you need to limit mistakes. Try organizing items by frequency of use. For example, instead of having your seasonings far from your burners, place them on a shelf above for easy access. Clear out an unused space and place your cooking utensils there instead. With a simple system, you’ll be able to cook more efficiently.
5. Keep Your Kitchen Clean
As a kid, the “Clean Up” song was etched in your memory after playtime or doing crafts. And rightfully so, after making a mess, it’s only fitting that you clean it up. The same can be said for your kitchen—depending on the recipe, things can get messy.Â
So ensure you clean before, during, and after you’re done cooking. Food takes time to cook anyway, so why not take a moment to clean for a few minutes? With a messy cooking station, cross-contamination can occur. Clean as you go to limit kitchen stress and avoid errors that can affect your meal’s outcome.
Use These Suggestions to Enhance Your Cooking Skills
Enhancing your cooking skills has never been easier. You can upgrade your cookware and knives. It will also benefit you to organize your kitchen and keep the area clean while cooking. Before you know it, your cooking skills will be better than ever.