They say cooking is an art—and they're not wrong! While specific recipes for specialties like a chicken rub or a loaf of sourdough bread might seem simple to longtime cooks, these dishes can prove to be a challenge for novice bakers. If you feel out of practice in the kitchen or are just beginning your baking journey, learning a few simple skills can help you create a wide variety of meals with ease.
These five simple cooking skills will help you channel your inner chef and create a masterpiece in the kitchen every time you cook. Not only will you be surprised by your newfound cooking skills, but they will surely earn your future plates a spot at the dinner table. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to improve your cooking skills!
Use the Right Tools
Excellent cooking skills are something that nearly all cooks strive for. There are few feelings better than bringing a dish to the table that the entire family enjoys. Now that you're experiencing more at-home meals, you might be wondering how to become a better cook. It may surprise you to discover just how much your cooking skills can improve with one thing—the right equipment! No matter how strictly you follow a recipe or how great your ingredients are, not having the right equipment will drastically affect the outcome of your meal. Stop trying to chop those onions with a blunt knife, or bake a cake in an oven that doesn't heat correctly. Instead, set aside some extra time to make a list of quality cooking utensils and tools your kitchen may be lacking and purchase the ones you know you'll use! Not only will high-quality appliances save you time, but they will significantly improve the flavor and texture of your favorite recipes.
A few "must-have" tools we recommend investing in include:
- Sharpened set of chef knives
- Quality chopping board
- Sharpening steel
- Cast iron frying pan
- Silicone spatula
- Kitchen shears
Get to Know Your Ingredients
Have you ever wondered what the difference between spices and herbs are? Or maybe you've asked questions like, "How do I go gluten free?" Now is the time to search for the answers to all of your cooking questions. With a quick Google search, you can find information about even the most complicated of cooking topics. When it comes to cooking, it's essential to know your ingredients. Knowing which flours to swap for a gluten free recipe, or how to prepare overnight oats will ensure that your dish ends up a success. Each ingredient behaves uniquely when subjected to different cooking processes. Knowing how your ingredients will react beforehand will ensure that you're able to adjust each recipe accordingly.
When it comes to knowing your ingredients, it's also important to know what's in them and where they come from. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients will not only boost your palate, but it will also enhance your cooking skills! For the best tasting dish, try to find a seasonal recipe that uses ripe, in-season produce, and vegetables. Vegetables that are in season and grown locally are bound to taste more fresh and vibrant when compared to those which have been flown across the world. When it comes to grains and flours, we suggested staying away from processed grains that contain additives. Instead, try purchasing whole high-quality grains like our Organic Tricolor Quinoa Grain. It's a beautiful blend of organic white, black and red quinoa and has a nutty flavor that is an excellent addition to nearly any recipe. Plus, the fluffy and crunchy texture is the perfect base for a salad, veggie patty or slow cooker chili like this Slow Cooker White Chicken and Quinoa Chili.
Learn Basic Cooking Techniques
Much like any new skill, learning the basics when it comes to cooking is fundamental to success in the kitchen. Depending on the recipe you choose, it may ask you to fry, saute or braise an ingredient. Knowing how to perform each of these techniques properly will increase your chances of producing a delicious home cooked meal! So how do you learn these cooking essentials? Now that you're staying home more, instead of going out and attending a cooking class, try searching for an online cooking course. Several websites offer courses that will teach you a variety of basic cooking techniques right from home. Or, if you're not a fan of online classes, try using a cooking guide like our Baking Measurements Guide, or this vegan-friendly guide on how to prepare vegetables. Remember, even the best of chefs always have room for improvement. If you already know most of the cooking basics, then search for a more advanced cooking guide to add even more flair to your favorite recipe.
Practice Make Perfect
Not even the best cooking course can improve your skills overnight. While learning the proper cooking techniques is necessary, it's even more crucial that you practice them frequently. Don't get discouraged if your baked good or braised chicken doesn't come out perfect the first time. Like with anything great, becoming an exceptional chef takes time. The more you use your new cooking skills, the better your meals will turn out. And once you build up your confidence in the kitchen, you'll feel more comfortable experimenting with new ingredients and flavors. Who knows, you might even begin to develop a passion for cooking that you didn't know you had!
Plan Ahead
Cooking a new recipe can be exciting. But don't start blind. When cooking with any new recipe, it's essential to read a recipe before you begin cooking thoroughly. Doing so will help you discover which ingredients and tools you'll need to make the recipe a success. Once you determine which ingredients and tools are required, it's time to prep your cooking space. If you don't have all of the ingredients on hand, then a quick run to the grocery store might be necessary. Upon rounding up the essential ingredients, you'll want to prep all ingredients and tools in order of the recipe steps. This means that if a recipe calls for wet and dry ingredients to be mixed separately, each should have their own space on the countertop. Planning and preparing everything needed for your dish beforehand will help ensure that you avoid any kitchen mishaps once you begin the cooking process.
Step out of Your Comfort Zone
If you're stuck making the same recipes over and over, the truth is, your skills as a cook won't improve much. If you want to learn how to become a better cook, it's important to step outside of your comfort zone! Trying recipes that use foods or techniques you're not familiar with will help you improve your cooking skills and food knowledge!
Not sure which recipes you should wow the family with first? Try making some of these unique dishes:
Breakfast Pizza
Surprise the kiddos with their favorite dinner dish—for breakfast! This savory Breakfast Pizza Recipe is a great way to step outside of your comfort zone and bake something new. Made with our Paleo Baking Flour, this recipe helps you take the guesswork out of grain free baking! And if you're really feeling creative in the kitchen, why not turn it into a breakfast pizza bar? To do so, lay out your family's favorite breakfast goodies like maple syrup, bacon, sausage and eggs and let them choose what to top their pizza with!
Mediterranean Farro Stuffed Peppers
Loved by just about everyone, these Mediterranean-inspired stuffed vegetables are the perfect light meal! Made with Bob's Red Mill Organic Farro, they're a fantastic source of iron and plant-based protein. This recipe is ideal for novice chefs who want to test their skills by making something exotic enough to impress family and friends. Easy to make, these Mediterranean Farro Stuffed Peppers can be filled with your choice of protein or with farro alone to create a vegetarian dish.
Gluten Free Pea Ravioli With Browned Butter Sauce
Highlight all of the bright flavors of summer with this tasty Gluten Free Pea Ravioli with Browned Butter Sauce. It's a delicious way to pack good-for-you green peas into a flavorful meal and a recipe that nearly everyone will love. To make the pasta in this dish gluten free, Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour is used. A unique blend of gluten free flours and starches, this flour is incredibly easy to use! Make these to spice up your next at-home dinner, or enjoy it as a savory lunch dish!
And there you have it! Five cooking tips that will help upgrade your skills in the kitchen. We hope this article has motivated you to add new ingredients, tools and recipes to your weekly cooking routine. Whether you choose to make a gluten free masterpiece or a Mediterranean inspired dish, we're confident that with these skills you will learn how to be a better cook in no time!
