Basic Cooking Techniques Everyone Should Know
All anyone needs to get their favorite foods immediately is an internet connection. However, modern convenience will never be a substitute for a home-cooked meal. Learning how to cook for yourself is a skill that, while some may consider it to be archaic, is incredibly useful. Truth is, going to the grocery store and cooking at home is far more economical than dining out every night. Master some of these basic cooking techniques and save yourself some time and money.
Grilling Meat and Veggies
Whether you’re using a gas or charcoal grill, the art of grilling isn’t difficult and is an easy skill to pick up. First, buy your favorite cut of meat and season it with salt and pepper. The meat is the star and you want its natural flavor to shine, so don’t over season it with too many spices. Once you get the grill nice and hot, it’s time to put the main course on. Depending on what you’re grilling, the amount of time you cook it for will vary. Be sure to look at a temperature guide for whatever item you’re cooking—from meat to vegetables—to determine how long you’ll be at the grill.
Roasting a Chicken
Knowing how to roast a chicken will come in handy if you ever host a dinner party. If they’re on sale, sometimes you can find whole chickens for as little as $5 at the grocery store. Once you have the main course, preheat the oven to 415 degrees. Open the packaging and dry the chicken inside and out—this includes removing the giblets and rubbing salt on the inside. Then, pour olive oil all over the outside of the chicken and season with salt and rosemary. Place the chicken in a cast iron pan and slide it into the oven. After 20 minutes, lower the oven temperature to 375 and let it cook to an internal temperature of 180 degrees. Put an oven-safe thermometer in the chicken before putting it in the oven or probe it with a digital thermometer while cooking to monitor the temperature.
You can cook a beef or pork roast much the same way, but you’ll want to cover them with foil, so they don’t dry out. Many individuals also roast vegetables—spread out your veggie of choice on a pan covered in foil, drizzle it with olive oil, and add seasoning.
Making a Marinade
The right marinade can make a bland cut of meat or chicken taste great. Marinades are easy to make and give your meals an extra flavor boost—all you need to do is have the meat sit in it overnight. For example, a simple (but popular) chicken marinade includes a mixture of soy sauce, fresh garlic, and ginger—combined, these ingredients give the meat an Asian flare. If you’re worried about making your own, many grocery stores sell premade marinades to satisfy every taste and budget.
Frying an Egg
To start, place a pan on very high heat and add a generous amount of butter. Once the pan is hot and the butter has melted, crack the egg close to the pan and lower the heat. Once the egg begins to cook and turns white, slightly tilt the pan so the butter collects at one end. From here, spoon the butter onto the egg white, being careful to avoid the yolk. Baste the egg until the white has cooked and the edges are brown and crispy. Finally, slide the egg out of the pan onto a plate and serve immediately.
