You could create a spreadsheet of culinary techniques and never run out of ideas,

from not rinsing your pasta after draining to using a waste bowl. Some culinary
tips are so easy that once you learn them, you'll wonder how you ever got through a
meal without them. This is why I compiled this list. I guarantee your next meal will
be a spectacular success if you remember these recommendations.

1. First, read the entire recipe.

This is something I'll say till the cows come home. If you're following a recipe, the
best advice I can give you is to read it all the way through before you start cooking.
Not only will this give you a better idea of how the finished dish should appear and
taste, but it will also help you figure out which pots, pans, and equipment you'll
need.

2. Prepare the mise en place

The term "mise in place" comes from the French and means "to put in place." It
also refers to how cooks in professional kitchens and restaurants set up their work
stations, which begins with gathering all of the ingredients for a meal, partially
preparing them (such as measuring and chopping), and arranging them alongside
one another.

3. Keep knives sharp at all times.

Sharp blades are nothing to be afraid of. Is it possible for them to give you a nasty
cut? Absolutely. Sharp knives, on the other hand, are consistently shown to be
more harmful. They're more likely to slip during cutting, increasing your chances
of cutting oneself. If you're serious about keeping your blades sharp, you need also
learn how to hold a chef's knife and the food you're cutting.

4. Seasoning frequently and thoroughly

Season your food! This is a big one! When it comes to having food flavor dance
about on your tongue, salt is the key. Most recipes will specify when salt (and likely
pepper) should be added, but a decent rule of thumb is to add at least a pinch or two
when you begin cooking and again at the finish. Here, your tongue will serve as the
ultimate guidance, so taste frequently.

5. Purchase a salad spinner.

Some argue that a salad spinner is unnecessary. One of those folks is not me. OK,
they're large and a pain to clean, but if there's place for a pot, there's room for a
salad spinner. A salad spinner not only makes cleaning lettuces, herbs, and greens
a breeze, but it also dries them far faster than towels ever could.
6. Roll the grapefruit to extract more juice

To elevate a dish to the next level, all it takes is a squeeze of lemon or lime. Roll
your grapefruit on a chopping board before slicing it in to get the most juice out of
it.

7. Select the appropriate pans

When a recipe specifies a certain pan, use that pan. If you only have one nonstick
pan, my best advice is to wait for a good discount at a kitchen store before
purchasing a stainless steel pan and a cast iron skillet. Cheap nonstick pans should
also be replaced every few years since the coating can wear away.

8. Before cooking, dry meats, legumes, and vegetables.

Hot tip: water and heat produce steam, so if you try to cook something wet while
it's still wet, it won't properly brown. Before tossing meat into the pan, blot it dry
with paper towels; chickpeas can be drained in a strainer and then dried on a towel
before going onto a sheet pan (this goes for vegetables too, minus the colander
part).

9. Make sure the pan isn't too full.

It's crucial to avoid crowding the pan when baking or pan frying. When veggies or
proteins are stuffed into a skillet while still moist, they will steam rather than
brown, which is never a good thing.

10. Keep things clean as you go

Embrace the clean-as-you-go method instead of piling every dish and tool you
used to cook a meal into the sink to wash when you finish eating (and don't forget
to wipe down the counters and the stove). Rather than leaving vegetable scraps and
peels on the counter, combine them together in one large rubbish basin for a single
easy dump and less mess.

11. The freezer can be used for more than just leftovers.

You already know that leftovers can be stored in the freezer indefinitely. However,
if you clear space in your freezer, you may store a variety of products that will make
your life easier. Frozen ginger will keep for longer and is easier to shred using a
microplane.