Posted by Eating great food is one of life’s most pleasurable experiences, which is probably why so many dates take place in nice restaurants. At this point, you’ve probably become somewhat of an expert at picking winning eateries, but if you really want to impress a lady, showing your talent in the kitchen, (and I don’t mean exposing yourself) is sure to leave a lasting impression. (Exposing yourself would also leave a lasting impression, but only in the creepy sense.) I am not going to outline recipes in this guide as the internet offers infinite information, but rather some basic ingredients you should always have and general rules about cooking in a kitchen, and looking like you know what you’re doing.
Essential Ingredients
Have some of these essentials stowed in the pantry or fridge so that when you do prepare a meal, you simply buy the main dish you’ll be preparing, some fresh vegetables to accompany and whip up something delicious on the fly.
-Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-Vinegar (white, balsamic, red wine)
-Soya Sauce
-Butter
-Table Salt + Coarse salt
-Pepper Corns (pepper grinder)
-Dried Spices (thyme, oregano, rosemary, basil, dill, sage, parsley, coriander, bay leaves (great for soups))
-Tomatoes, Canned tomatoes , Sun-dried tomatoes
-Hot mustard (great for marinades and salad dressings)
-Honey
-Onions
-Garlic
-Eggs
-Pasta
Oil 101
Oils are an important part of a balanced diet and a rich source of energy. A panoply of different oils are used for different purposes. Canola oil, corn oil and peanut oil are the preferred oils for deep frying or sautéing. Sesame oil which has a light peanuty flavor is great for making pad thai or stir fry dishes.
Then of course there’s olive oil, the cornerstone of the healthy Mediterranean diet and a must-have in any kitchen. Extra virgin olive oil is my personal favorite for frying and sautéing anything from garlic, onions, meat, fish to veggies like red and green peppers. It‘s also wonderful on salads combined with a touch of aged, balsamic vinegar.
Preserving Oil:
Generally, when any oil is exposed to oxygen, light or heat, it is subject to oxidation and can become rancid. As soon as the bottle is opened the oxidation process accelerates and the oil can degrade fairly rapidly. Opened oil needs to be closed tight and stored in a dark pantry or closet away from sources of heat.
Buy Proper Kitchen Equipment
You don’t need to go crazy, especially if your cooking at the moment is only so-so, but a decent array of quality, durable cooking tools are essential to any kitchen. An initial investment goes a long way, and there are some cooking items, you just shouldn’t skimp on.
Some essentials include a good chef’s knife with a weighty blade for chopping and slicing. Two serrated knives (big and small), one for slicing bread and one for slicing tomatoes. In terms of pots and pans, you’ll need a skillet (flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods), a saucepan (used for simmering and boiling) and a braising or roasting pan (a large, wide and shallow pan to cook a roast (chicken, beef, or pork)). I would also suggest a blender as you can use it for Soups, Sauces, Smoothies and even dips.
Other useful kitchenware includes:
-colander
-cutting board
-measuring spoons
-spatulas
-pepper mill
-mixing bowls
-measuring cups
General Cooking Tips:
-Dry food well before throwing it on a hot pan otherwise the water splashes everywhere and can potentially burn you
-Make sure to preheat your pan for a good sear. Your food should start cooking the moment it hits the pan, not gradually while the pan warms. If you properly preheat your pan, before you start to cook, your food won’t stick to the bottom.
- Don’t play with your food. The temptation to flip or stir food while it’s cooking in the pan must be tamed. It is actually best to let food develop the color and crust you want on one side before shifting it to the other. Steak or fish should only be flipped once.
I also highly suggest having at least one cookbook, ideally The Joy of Cooking,the backbone of many home cooks’ libraries. You can buy it on Amazon.com, which will accept credit card online payment. When you’re in the beginning stages of learning to cook it’s vital you follow recipes as they are written. Once you get better, you can begin to improvise with your ingredients and techniques.
