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    How to Cook

    How to Cook“It’s my belief that the best way to become a good cook is to learn these basic cooking techniques.”

    Once you learn how to handle these fundamental techniques, you will be able to handle most recipes. How to cook is not just about recipes….it is about how to take ingredients and make them taste as good as possible.

    Recipes are great road maps to show us how someone else got there, but one of the joys of cooking is to find your own paths. Knowing these techniques is like taking the car out for a spin in a new location. You’re not sure where you are going to end up, but getting there will be fun.

    By Category

    Baking Techniques

    Baking is a dry heat cooking method that is most frequently associated with desserts and pastries.  While it’s true that baking can yield wonderful cakes, cookies, muffins and croissants, it is also the same technique used to cook a meatloaf or a pizza.

    How NOT to Bake – Part 4

    How NOT to Bake – Part 4

    How NOT to Bake – Part 3

    How NOT to Bake – Part 3

    How Not to Bake – Part 2

    How Not to Bake – Part 2

    How NOT to Bake – Part 1

    How NOT to Bake – Part 1

    The Egg Foam Method In Baking

    The Egg Foam Method In Baking

    Baking Two Stage Method

    Baking Two Stage Method

    Important Mixing Techniques For Baking

    Important Mixing Techniques For Baking

    8 Tips For Better Bread Making

    8 Tips For Better Bread Making

    Pages: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8
    Bread Making Ingredients

    Bread Making Ingredients

    How To Make Bread

    How To Make Bread

    Learn How to Bake Anything

    Learn How to Bake Anything

    Still Even More Baking Questions Answered

    Still Even More Baking Questions Answered

    See More Baking Techniques

    Blanching Technique

    Blanching is a two-step process in which foods are plunged into boiling water, usually for only a minute or two and then put into ice water to rapidly stop the cooking process. You can also blanch in fat, but this technique is not often called for.

    Blanching Times For Fruits and Vegetables

    Blanching Times For Fruits and Vegetables

    How Blanching Can Make You A Better Cook

    How Blanching Can Make You A Better Cook

    How to Blanch Foods

    How to Blanch Foods

    See More Blanching Technique

    Boiling Techniques Explained

    Moist Cooking Technique

    How NOT to Cook with Water – Simmering

    How NOT to Cook with Water – Simmering

    How NOT to Cook with Water – Poaching

    How NOT to Cook with Water – Poaching

    How NOT to Cook with Water – Boiling

    How NOT to Cook with Water – Boiling

    Angel Hair Pasta With Spinach and Herbs Recipe

    Angel Hair Pasta With Spinach and Herbs Recipe

    How Blanching Can Make You A Better Cook

    How Blanching Can Make You A Better Cook

    How to Soft Boil Eggs

    How to Soft Boil Eggs

    Moist Heat Cooking Technique – Boiling

    Moist Heat Cooking Technique – Boiling

    10 Pasta Cooking Tips

    10 Pasta Cooking Tips

    How to Blanch Foods

    How to Blanch Foods

    A Different Way to View Boiling

    A Different Way to View Boiling

    Chinese Hot Pot

    Chinese Hot Pot

    Pasta Tip – Don’t Add Oil

    Pasta Tip – Don’t Add Oil

    See More Boiling Techniques Explained

    Braising Technique - The Slow Cooking Method

    Braising Technique Turns Tough Meats Into Pure Greatness

    Braised Beans and Spinach with Pecorino Romano Cheese Recipe

    Braised Beans and Spinach with Pecorino Romano Cheese Recipe

    How NOT to Braise – Part 2

    How NOT to Braise – Part 2

    How NOT to Braise Foods – Part 1

    How NOT to Braise Foods – Part 1

    Spicy Braised Chicken Recipe

    Spicy Braised Chicken Recipe

    Pan Braised Chicken Recipe

    Pan Braised Chicken Recipe

    How to Braise Everything

    How to Braise Everything

    See More Braising Technique - The Slow Cooking Method

    Broiling Techniques

    Broiling is a cooking technique where food is exposed to direct radiant heat like in the gas burner or electric coil in your oven.

    How to Broil Salmon Recipe

    How to Broil Salmon Recipe

    How to Broil Lobster Tails

    How to Broil Lobster Tails

    Broiled Tomatoes with Parmasan Cheese and Fresh Herbs

    Broiled Tomatoes with Parmasan Cheese and Fresh Herbs

    See More Broiling Techniques

    Cooking Mistakes

    How NOT to Cook – Common Cooking Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

    How NOT to Steam Foods – Part 2

    How NOT to Steam Foods – Part 2

    How NOT To Cook With Water – Steaming

    How NOT To Cook With Water – Steaming

    How NOT to Start a Recipe – Kitchen Equipment

    How NOT to Start a Recipe – Kitchen Equipment

    How NOT to Start a Recipe – Mise en Place

    How NOT to Start a Recipe – Mise en Place

    How NOT to Start a Recipe – Part 2

    How NOT to Start a Recipe – Part 2

    How NOT to Start a Recipe

    How NOT to Start a Recipe

    How NOT to Season Food With Salt

    How NOT to Season Food With Salt

    How NOT to Season Foods – Spice and Herb Chart

    How NOT to Season Foods – Spice and Herb Chart

    How NOT to Season Food – Part 2

    How NOT to Season Food – Part 2

    How NOT to Season Foods

    How NOT to Season Foods

    How NOT to Bake – Part 4

    How NOT to Bake – Part 4

    How NOT to Bake – Part 3

    How NOT to Bake – Part 3

    See More Cooking Mistakes

    Frying Techniques

    Frying Techniques – Saute – Stir Fry – Pan Fry – Shallow Fry – Deep Fry

    Over the Top French Fries

    Over the Top French Fries

    Quick and Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

    Quick and Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe

    How to Make Perfect French Fries

    How to Make Perfect French Fries

    How to Pan Fry Branzino

    How to Pan Fry Branzino

    How To Cook Rainbow Trout Filets

    How To Cook Rainbow Trout Filets

    Korean Style Beef Stir Fry Recipe

    Korean Style Beef Stir Fry Recipe

    How Much Heat To Use When Sauteing

    How Much Heat To Use When Sauteing

    Stir Fry Lessons for Home Cooks

    Stir Fry Lessons for Home Cooks

    The Difference Between Saute – Pan Fry and Stir Fry

    The Difference Between Saute – Pan Fry and Stir Fry

    Deep Frying and Pan Frying Tips Plus Techniques

    Deep Frying and Pan Frying Tips Plus Techniques

    See More Frying Techniques

    Grilling Techniques

    Grilling Techniques so you can master your grill.

    How NOT to Grill – Part 3

    How NOT to Grill – Part 3

    How NOT to Grill – Part 2

    How NOT to Grill – Part 2

    How NOT to Grill – Part 1

    How NOT to Grill – Part 1

    Greek Style Turkey Burgers Recipe

    Greek Style Turkey Burgers Recipe

    How To Know When The Grill Is Hot Enough

    How To Know When The Grill Is Hot Enough

    London Broil

    London Broil

    8 Tips To Grill Like A Pro

    8 Tips To Grill Like A Pro

    Pages: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8
    How to Grill Your Turkey on a Gas Grill

    How to Grill Your Turkey on a Gas Grill

    Fire Up the Grill

    Fire Up the Grill

    Grilling Techniques

    Grilling Techniques

    Grilling with Charcoal

    Grilling with Charcoal

    Grilling with Gas

    Grilling with Gas

    See More Grilling Techniques

    More Specific Techniques

    More Important Cooking Techniques

    How NOT to Pan Roast – Part 2

    How NOT to Pan Roast – Part 2

    How NOT to Pan Roast – Part 1

    How NOT to Pan Roast – Part 1

    How To Know When Shrimp Are Done Cooking

    How To Know When Shrimp Are Done Cooking

    Know Your Knife Cuts

    Know Your Knife Cuts

    London Broil

    London Broil

    Deglazing: What it Is and Why Do It

    Deglazing: What it Is and Why Do It

    How to Cook Chinese Dumplings

    How to Cook Chinese Dumplings

    Shrimp – How to Peel and Devein Shrimp

    Shrimp – How to Peel and Devein Shrimp

    Stirring – The Do’s and Do Not’s of Stirring

    Stirring – The Do’s and Do Not’s of Stirring

    The How and Why To Sweating Vegetables

    The How and Why To Sweating Vegetables

    Mayo – Homemade Mayonnaise Recipe

    Mayo – Homemade Mayonnaise Recipe

    How to Cut – Dice – Slice an Onion

    How to Cut – Dice – Slice an Onion

    See More More Specific Techniques

    Poaching Technique Explained

    Poaching Techniques – Sort of Like Simmering But Different

    How NOT to Cook with Water – Poaching

    How NOT to Cook with Water – Poaching

    Poaching Eggs, Meat, Chicken, Fish and Vegetables

    Poaching Eggs, Meat, Chicken, Fish and Vegetables

    Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce Recipe

    Poached Salmon with Dill Sauce Recipe

    See More Poaching Technique Explained

    Roasting Techniques Explained

    Roasting Techniques – A Dry Heat Cooking Method For All Sorts of Foods

    About Oven Temperatures

    About Oven Temperatures

    How NOT to Roast – Part 3

    How NOT to Roast – Part 3

    How NOT to Roast – Part 2

    How NOT to Roast – Part 2

    How NOT to Roast – Part 1

    How NOT to Roast – Part 1

    Simple Roasted Potatoes Recipe

    Simple Roasted Potatoes Recipe

    How to Roast Garlic

    How to Roast Garlic

    Pan Roasting Technique

    Pan Roasting Technique

    Roasting Peppers | How to Roast Peppers at Home

    Roasting Peppers | How to Roast Peppers at Home

    Roast Turkey | How to Roast a Turkey

    Roast Turkey | How to Roast a Turkey

    Roasting Technique | How to Roast Meat and Poultry

    Roasting Technique | How to Roast Meat and Poultry

    Cooking Beef Tenderloin

    Cooking Beef Tenderloin

    Baking or Roasting – You Decide

    Baking or Roasting – You Decide

    See More Roasting Techniques Explained

    Saute Technique Described

    sau·té – sôˈtā/ – fried quickly in a little hot fat. – “sauté potatoes”

    How NOT to Saute – Part 2

    How NOT to Saute – Part 2

    How NOT to Saute – Part 1

    How NOT to Saute – Part 1

    The Secret To Great Saute

    The Secret To Great Saute

    Saute Cooking Videos

    Saute Cooking Videos

    How Much Heat To Use When Sauteing

    How Much Heat To Use When Sauteing

    All About Saute

    All About Saute

    The Difference Between Saute – Pan Fry and Stir Fry

    The Difference Between Saute – Pan Fry and Stir Fry

    Sauteing Chicken Breasts – How to Keep From Burning

    Sauteing Chicken Breasts – How to Keep From Burning

    See More Saute Technique Described

    Sous Vide

    Learn the basics of the Sous Vide (under vacuum) cooking technique.

    Sous Vide At Home Cookbook

    Sous Vide At Home Cookbook

    My Best Sous Vide Swordfish

    My Best Sous Vide Swordfish

    Sous Vide Water Balls

    Sous Vide Water Balls

    How to Sous Vide Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

    How to Sous Vide Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

    Sous Vide Tilapia in Spicy Seafood Broth

    Sous Vide Tilapia in Spicy Seafood Broth

    Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin Recipe

    Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin Recipe

    What We Sous Vided For Dinner Last Night

    What We Sous Vided For Dinner Last Night

    My First Sous Vide Cooking Experiences

    My First Sous Vide Cooking Experiences

    See More Sous Vide

    Steaming

    Steaming Techniques

    Steamed Potatoes Recipe

    Steamed Potatoes Recipe

    How NOT to Steam Foods – Part 2

    How NOT to Steam Foods – Part 2

    How NOT To Cook With Water – Steaming

    How NOT To Cook With Water – Steaming

    Steaming Technique | How to Steam Food

    Steaming Technique | How to Steam Food

    See More Steaming

    Stewing

    Stewing Technique

    How to Stew Anything

    How to Stew Anything

    See More Stewing

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    I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More…

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    About the Reluctant Gourmet

    I'm a work-at-home dad who enjoys cooking, learning everything I can about the culinary world and sharing it with you. To learn more about me... Read More…

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