5 Essential Cooking Techniques You Need to Know

Cooking can be a daunting task for many people, especially if you’re not familiar with it’s basic techniques. However, with the right knowledge and practice, anyone can become a master in the kitchen. Whether you’re a beginner or an seasoned cook, there are certain essential techniques that you must master to create delicious meals. We prepared this article to discuss the 5 essential cooking techniques you need to know in order to become a pro in your kitchen.

1. Sautéing: The Foundation of Cooking

Sautéing is one of the most important cooking techniques you need to master. It involves quickly cooking food in a small amount of oil over high heat. Sautéing is perfect for cooking vegetables, meat, and seafood. It’s a great way to lock in the flavors and create a crispy texture and that umami flavor everyone is looking for.

To sauté, you’ll need a non-stick pan and a bit of oil. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Heat the pan on medium-high heat for a minute.
2. Add a tablespoon of oil to the pan and wait for it to heat up.
3. Add your ingredients and cook for a few minutes until they’re browned and crispy.
4. Remove the food from the pan and serve.

Sautéing is a versatile cooking technique that can be used in a variety of dishes. It’s the foundation of many classic recipes, including stir-fry, fajitas, and paella.

2. Grilling: Add Flavor to Your Meals

Grilling is another basic cooking technique that can add a lot of flavor to your meals. It involves cooking food over an open flame or a hot grill. Grilling is perfect for cooking meat, vegetables, and even fruits. It’s a great way to add a smoky flavor to your meals.

To grill, you’ll need any kind of grill, (we prefer kamados) or a grill pan. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Preheat the grill on high heat for at least 10 minutes.
2. Oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
3. Add your food to the grill and cook for a few minutes on each side until it’s cooked to your liking.
4. Remove the food from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Grilling is perfect for summer barbecues, but it can also be done indoors with a grill pan. It’s a great way to add flavor to your meals and impress your guests.

3. Braising: Cook Meat to Perfection

Braising is a cooking technique that involves cooking meat in liquid over low heat for a long time. It’s perfect for tough cuts of meat that need to be cooked slowly to become tender. Braising is also great for creating flavorful stews and soups.

To braise, you’ll need a Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Heat a bit of oil in the pot and brown the meat on all sides.
2. Remove the meat and add diced mirepoix to the pot.
3. Add the meat back to the pot and cover it with liquid, such as beef broth or red wine.
4. Simmer the meat over low heat for several hours until it’s tender and falling apart.

Braising is a great way to create delicious and tender meat dishes. It’s a technique that requires patience, but the end result is well worth the wait.

4. Roasting: Create Delicious and Crispy Dishes

Roasting is a cooking technique that involves cooking food in the oven at a high temperature. It’s perfect for cooking meat, vegetables, and even fruits. Roasting allows the food to develop a crispy texture and a rich flavor.

To roast, you’ll need an oven and a roasting pan. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Preheat the oven to the desired temperature.
2. Season your food with herbs, spices, and oil.
3. Place the food in the roasting pan and put it in the oven.
4. Cook the food for the desired time until it’s cooked to your liking.

Roasting is a great way to create delicious and crispy dishes. It’s perfect for cooking a whole chicken, a turkey, or a prime rib. Roasting is also great for cooking vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts.

5. Boiling: Cook Pasta and More

Boiling is a cooking technique that involves cooking food in boiling water. It’s perfect for cooking pasta, rice, and vegetables. Boiling is a simple cooking technique, but it requires some attention to detail to get it right.

To boil, you’ll need a pot of water and a bit of salt. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Fill the pot with water and add a tablespoon of salt.
2. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
3. Add your food to the boiling water and cook for the desired time until it’s cooked to your liking.
4. Drain the food and serve.

Boiling is a great way to cook pasta and rice. It’s also perfect for blanching vegetables, which involves cooking them briefly in boiling water and then plunging them into ice water to stop the cooking process.

Conclusion

Cooking can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, especially when you have the right knowledge and skills. By mastering the 5 essential cooking techniques discussed in this article, you’ll be able to create delicious and impressive dishes for yourself and your guests. Whether you’re sautéing, grilling, braising, roasting, or boiling, these techniques will help you take your cooking skills to the next level. So get in the kitchen and start practicing these essential cooking techniques today!