Helpful Hints

By 1For_Him

Ingredients

• Don't overheat low-fat milk products. Milk that gets over 180 degrees will curdle. You can stabilize milk with starch like cornstarch or flour to thicken the milk and prevent curdling.

Preparation

Step 1

Don't overheat chocolate. Melt slowly, stirring constantly.

Don't over-soften butter (melt) when it needs to be creamed with sugar. (Cookie dough will spread too much, and cakes will not be as tender or fluffy.)

Don't turn food too often - Breaded chicken won't develop a nice crust unless you let it cook long enough to release from the pan.

Allow the pan to heat before adding oil and food for sauteing veggies or getting a nice crust on meat.

Slice meat against the grain.

Meats will cook more evenly if you allow them to stand at room temp. for 15-30 minutes before cooking.

Allow meat to rest after cooking for juiciness.

To make caramelized onions, you need to cook over low/med/low heat for a long time, up to an hour.

Don't overwork lower-fat dough like biscuits, pie crusts, cookies, or scones or they will be tough.