03/05/2022
Culinary school isn't for everyone, but there are some culinary school tips and techniques that anyone can put into practice at home without spending a single day in (or a dime on!) a white chef's coat. Here are some of the most useful hints:
1. Sharpen your knives.
Learn how to sharpen a knife correctly. It is critical to understand that a sharp knife makes chopping much faster and easier. (Plus, when your knife is sharp, you don't need to use as much force, which makes it safer.)
2. Adopt the "mise en place" method.
The French phrase translates to "putting in place," and it refers to gathering all of your ingredients, measuring them, and preparing them before you begin cooking. This is how restaurant kitchens produce food in such a timely and efficient manner. And, while you don't have to be quite as exacting at home, it's much easier to follow a recipe when all of your ingredients are prepped ahead of time.
3. Avoid turning up the heat all the time.
Even if you need food quickly, turning up the heat to high isn't always the best option. Slowly sautéing aromatics, such as onions, shallots, or garlic, in oil over medium-low heat will bring out more flavor while preventing them from burning and becoming bitter.
Cooking meat or vegetables over medium heat allows them to finish cooking without burning on the outside.
Learn to cook, Learn to love, D’Lights.
