15 Old-Fashioned Cooking Tips That Really Work, Say Experts — Eat This Not That

No Comments

Photo of author

By Ghuman

Introduction

Cooking has been around for centuries, and while modern technology has made it easier than ever to whip up a delicious meal, there are still some old-fashioned cooking tips that can help you make the most of your ingredients. From using the right cooking techniques to choosing the freshest ingredients, these 15 old-fashioned cooking tips from experts at Eat This Not That will help you create delicious meals that will impress your family and friends. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef, these tips will help you get the most out of your cooking. So, let’s get started!

15 Old-Fashioned Cooking Tips That Really Work, Say Experts — Eat This Not That

Cooking can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the kitchen. But don’t worry, experts say there are some old-fashioned cooking tips that can help you get the job done. Here are 15 of the best tips that will help you become a master chef in no time.

1. Start with the Basics

Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the basics down. Learn the basics of knife skills, how to read a recipe, and how to measure ingredients accurately. Once you have the basics down, you’ll be able to tackle any recipe with confidence.

2. Use Fresh Ingredients

Fresh ingredients are key to making a delicious meal. Whenever possible, use fresh ingredients instead of canned or frozen. Fresh ingredients will give your dish more flavor and texture.

3. Taste as You Go

Tasting your food as you go is one of the best ways to ensure that your dish turns out the way you want it to. Taste your food as you cook and adjust the seasoning accordingly. This will help you get the flavor just right.

4. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

Cooking is all about experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try new ingredients or techniques. You never know what you might discover!

5. Use the Right Tools

Having the right tools can make all the difference when it comes to cooking. Invest in quality cookware and utensils that will last you a long time.

6. Read the Recipe Carefully

Before you start cooking, make sure you read the recipe carefully. Pay attention to the ingredients, instructions, and cooking times. This will help you avoid any mistakes.

7. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

When cooking, make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan. If you overcrowd the pan, the food won’t cook evenly and you won’t get the desired results.

8. Preheat the Oven

Always preheat the oven before you start cooking. This will ensure that your food cooks evenly and at the right temperature.

9. Use the Right Oil

When cooking with oil, make sure you use the right type. Different oils have different smoke points, so make sure you use the right one for the job.

10. Don’t Overcook

When it comes to cooking, it’s important to not overcook your food. Overcooking can lead to dry, flavorless dishes. Pay attention to the cooking times and take your food out of the oven when it’s done.

11. Let Food Rest

Letting your food rest after cooking is important. This will allow the flavors to develop and the food to cool down before serving.

12. Use the Right Spices

Using the right spices can make all the difference in a dish. Experiment with different spices and herbs to find the perfect combination for your dish.

13. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Cooking is all about trial and error. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You can always learn from them and use them to make your next dish even better.

14. Have Fun

Above all else, have fun in the kitchen. Cooking should be an enjoyable experience, so don’t take it too seriously. Enjoy the process and the results will follow.

15. Clean as You Go

Cleaning as you go is one of the best ways to keep your kitchen organized. Clean up as you cook and you’ll be able to enjoy your meal without worrying about a mess.

Some old wives’ tales never go out of style—like “a watched pot never boils” and “you are what you eat.” Just like some old-fashioned cooking tips are still worth using in your modern kitchen. Some of these tips are aha’s while others are duh’s—but all are still pertinent, despite the fact that home kitchens have all the latest gadgets and appliances.

We polled chefs and other cooking experts for their thoughts on whether these old-school techniques still hold up today and they all gave an enthusiastic thumbs up. Here are 15 smart and creative old-fashioned cooking tips that still hold true. Get ready to transport right back to your grandmother’s linoleum-floored kitchen. Plus, don’t miss 15 Old-Fashioned Cooking Tips You Should Never Use and find out how 16 Celebs Make The Ultimate Bowl of Oatmeal.

cookie dough
Shutterstock

This tip might be known, says Anne Grossman founder of Rebel Daughter Cookies, but it’s worth repeating. “Chill that dough. If you want a thicker cookie, solidify the butter before baking. In fact, try pre-balling the dough and then freezing it, and allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place the cookies in the oven as cold as possible. This gives the butter a fighting chance against the hot oven.”

mix with wooden spoon
Shutterstock

A wooden spoon is softer and can mix better than metal or plastic spoon, says Michael Cook, retired chef, food connoisseur, former owner of two restaurants and blogger at My Conscious Eating. A wooden spoon also doesn’t conduct heat, which means you can use it to stir sauces without them getting hot too quickly.

veggie scraps
Shutterstock

Professional cooks do it all the time, and, no doubt, your grandmother also did. “Hold onto your scraps, then simmer them in a large pot of water for a homemade vegetable broth,” says Emily Eggers trained chef from the Institute of Culinary Education and owner of Legally Healthy Blonde.

add salt pasta water
Shutterstock

The salt helps the pasta bind with the sauce for a thicker consistency. “It also dissolves and is absorbed into the pasta to give it extra flavor. Not a step to be missed,” says Aysegul Sanford of Foolproof Living.

fruits and veggies combo
Shutterstock

“Fruits and vegetables that ripen at the same time of year taste great together,” says Clare Ivatt founder of Kitchen Time Savers. Recipes that use these types of combinations will be the most successful—peppers combined with tomatoes, squash and sweetcorn, and kale and pumpkin are all great combos.

pasta in veggie stock
Shutterstock

This classic Old World cooking technique from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region (considered the epicenter of Italian cuisine by chefs, historians, and culinary travelers) is a must-do for home chefs. Use this tip when preparing fresh (not boxed) pastas, says Chef Wendy Cacciatori who hails from Bologna and is the owner of Via Emilia 9 in Miami and Nonna Beppa.

In New York City. Most of his dishes have been passed down from his grandmother: tortellini en brodo, tagliatelle with bolognese sauce, and hand-cut chicken breast with artichokes. “Water washes away the natural flavor of the pasta,” says Wendy, “while stock—preferably vegetable and beef adds considerable flavor to any pasta dish, even if you serve simply with fresh butter and cheese.”

chicken in milk
Shutterstock

Because chicken has a tendency to dry out when cooking, this is another classic Old World tip that results in succulent chicken. “As it soaks, the milk helps both tenderize and add moisture,” says Chef Wendy. “This also works well when cooking turkey.”

rinse cooked pasta
Shutterstock

When you rinse, you wash away the starches. And the sauce won’t adhere well to the pasta. “Alternatively, finish cooking the pasta in the sauce, with a bit of the reserved pasta-cooking water” says Brian Theis, cookbook author The Infinite Feast: How to Host the Ones You Love, and chef and food blogger at The Infinite Feast. theinfinitefeast.com.

cook with senses
Shutterstock

Rely on your senses as you cook—for smell, color, texture, taste—not just the recipe. “And always taste as you go,” says Theis.

sharpen cooking knives
Shutterstock

“A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp knife,” says Theis.

RELATED: 50 Surprising Kitchen Safety Dos & Don’ts

brown your meat
Shutterstock

If you’re cooking beef or lamb, before you put it in the oven at the desired temperature, brown it off in a frying pan. “It’ll seal in the flavor and make sure that when the juices flow, they add taste instead of going to waste,” says Christina Russo, the co-founder of The Kitchen Community. It’s a tip she garnered from her grandmother, she says.

cook on low
Shutterstock

When you’re cooking a casserole or a stew in a one-pot, as long as there’s enough liquid, the longer you cook it at a lower temperature, the better it’s going to taste. “Long, low, and slow was a rule that my grandmother swore by, and it’s one that I still adhere too,” says Russo of The Kitchen Community.

mortar and pestle
Shutterstock

This is an old-fashioned cooking tip that stirs up childhood memories from Top Chef 18 and 2022 James Beard Semifinalist Chris Viaud. As a child, Viaud helped his Haitian mother to prepare dinner each night grinding up herbs and spices in a pilon, or mortar. He still uses this technique in preparing his Ansanm Sunday Dinners at Greenleaf, his restaurant in Milford, New Hampshire.

take time when cooking
Shutterstock

Read the whole recipe before you begin. “Rushing through a recipe only increases your chances of messing things up—like skipping a step or using the wrong measurement,” says Lori Bogedin, chef/owner of Twigs Cafe.

fish stock
Shutterstock

Ask your fishmonger for fish trimmings which are the leftover parts of fish after they’ve been filleted. “Homemade fish stock has delicate aromas and flavors that can’t be mimicked in canned or boxed stocks from the supermarket,” says Craig Fear author of New England Soups from the Sea.

RELATED: 4 Cooking Secrets Celebrity Chef Aarón Sánchez Swears By



Leave a Reply