Clean as you go! It’e very important to cook in a clean environment.
Organise ahead of time. “Mise En Place” is what the cool cooks call it. It’s a French phrase meaning “putting in place.” Before you even heat up the pan, get everything prepared. Everything should be washed, chopped, diced, minced, whispered sweet nothings to, and set out on your countertop prior to cooking.
Get a good chef’s knife.
Constantly check the expiry of your ingredients.
Always keep separate utensils, whisks, spatulas etc. for savoury dishes and desserts
Don’t leave the kitchen, in the middle of cooking!
Invest in good quality measuring spoons and cups, spatulas, whisks etc.
Store spices in the right location.To prolong the life of your spices, keep them in a cool, dark place. Don’t store them on top of the stove, as heat and humidity can alter their flavor.
Always keep your knives sharp; this will enable you to cut with ease in a smooth motion.
Most ovens take between 5 to 7 minutes to preheat, and it is a step well worth remembering to do! If you don’t preheat, then the centre of baked goods comes out wet, and food doesn’t cook evenly. So just start the oven before you start to cook. This is one of the easiest techniques that will instantly improve the deliciousness of your food.
Whenever possible, warm your dinner plates slightly in the oven before serving so that the meal stays hotter.
Make sure your work area is well lit.
Use a garbage bowl, to discard your vegetable peels, egg shells etc.
Put a damp paper or kitchen towel under your cutting board. This prevents the board from slipping and you injuring yourself.
Switch to metal measuring cups and spoons, plastic degrades over time and can hinder your measurements.
