10 Simple Tips For Becoming A Great Cook (4 of 6)

6. Invest in good cookware

If you’re serious about preparing food the right way, you don’t want to skimp on the pots, pans, and knives. For instance, a copper pan cools quickly after cooking, making it ideal for delicate foods such as fish. It is also perfect if you want to avoid scorching your sauces. A sharp, high-quality knife makes it easier to slice and dice your foods. A no-stick pan is best for pancakes and eggs whereas cast iron and stainless steel are the way to go if you’re searing meat.

7. Learn how to time things

Let’s take the example of pan-seared fish. Cooking it is an art. It’s not a simple matter of putting some oil in a pan, adding the fish, and expecting it all to go well without understanding the proper methods. In this particular situation, if you place fish into the pan before the oil has had a chance to heat up, the part of the fish that’s in contact with the pan will end up sticking to it, causing you to need to scrape it off before flipping it to the other side. It will neither look presentable on a plate nor will you and your company enjoy how it tastes. Instead, wait for the oil to completely heat up before adding the fish. It makes a huge difference!