Cooking can be a delightful experience, but it often comes with challenges that can leave us wishing for some handy tricks to make our time in the kitchen easier. From achieving the perfect measurements to enhancing flavors, here are eight tips and tricks that will surely elevate your cooking skills and save your dishes from potential mishaps.
Soft Rotis: To ensure your rotis are soft and fluffy, knead the dough with warm water. Perform a simple finger test by lightly poking the dough—if it feels soft, you’re good to go! Rest the dough for at least 15 minutes before cooking to enhance its texture.
Creamy Gravies: Skip store-bought cream and opt for healthier alternatives to create rich and creamy gravies. You can use milk, malai (milk cream), or cashew paste to add a luscious texture to your dishes.
Quick Chickpea Boiling: Forgot to soak your chickpeas (chana) overnight? No worries! Boil water in a pressure cooker and add the required amount of chana. This method will expedite the boiling process, allowing you to have perfectly cooked chickpeas in just an hour.
All-In-One Gravy: Short on time? Prepare an all-in-one gravy in advance and store it in your refrigerator for up to a week. Sauté tomatoes, onions, garlic, and ginger until soft, then blend the mixture and store it for later use.
Reducing Excess Salt: Mistakes happen, especially when it comes to salt measurements. If you’ve added too much salt to your curry, there’s an easy fix. Add milk or malai to neutralize the excess salt and balance the flavors.
Quick Garlic Peeling: Peeling garlic can be time-consuming. Simplify the process by peeling a large quantity of garlic at once and blending it into a paste. Store the paste in a ziplock bag in the freezer for easy access. Alternatively, place the garlic bulbs in a container, shake vigorously, and watch the skins come off effortlessly.
Preventing Stickiness: When boiling pasta or noodles, prevent them from sticking together by adding a small amount of oil to the boiling water. Similarly, adding potatoes to boiling water can make them easier to peel.
Boiling Milk: Boiling milk can be a messy task, but using a heavy-bottomed vessel can help prevent spills and reduce the chances of it boiling over. This tip is particularly useful when making dishes like kheer.
With these tips and tricks, you can streamline your cooking process and overcome common challenges in the kitchen. By incorporating these techniques into your culinary repertoire, you’ll be well on your way to creating delicious meals with ease and convenience.