THERE are loads of benefits of to cooking at home, and it’s not as daunting as many of us think. | Unsplash
HOME COOKING MADE EASY LUTHO PASIYA EVERY cook or foodie has screwed up in the kitchen once in a while, and you may be guilty of some of these cooking sins. Sometimes, when it comes to cooking, all you need is a little bit of knowledge. We asked chef Qhawe Tshabalala shares healthy home cooking tips. Tshabalala says by cooking for you and your family you ensure you use fresh products, which helps you look and feel healthier, boost your energy, stabilizing your weight, and that when preparing food, you know exactly what you’re putting in your body. The best part about cooking at home is that it isn’t complicated, and using ingredients the way nature intended, including lots of vegetables and healthy sources of protein, ensures tasty and nutritious. Cooking at home can also be a great stress reliever, and creatively fulfilling,
increases resilience to stress, anxiety and depression and can boost your mood and super importantly great bonding time. Here are three other common cooking sins we commit
COOKING WITH BAD WINE
Not all great tasting wines can be used in cooking. Some of them do not hold up to the high temperatures needed in some dishes. It is a good idea to do some research here. Find out what wines are good for cooking, then buy one that doesn’t break your budget and have yourself a little taste. If you like it and it is recommended for cooking, then go for it. If you don’t like the taste from a glass, chances are you will not like it in a dish.
OVER BEATING EGGS
Many recipes say to beat the eggs well – some even specify two minutes – but that is too long. Make sure that eggs are beaten
but don’t beat them to death. If you overbeat the eggs, it will make it more difficult to mix with sugar and other ingredients, everything breaks down, and before you know it, the biscuits are flat and tough. Just make sure that all of the ingredients are combined well and you see no undissolved chunks. The biscuits or cakes will rise like they are supposed to and melt in your mouth.
USING AN OLD INGREDIENT
Most of the time this mistake does not occur with the main ingredient. Most cooks – amateur or expert – will check to see the milk hasn’t expired, or the butter and eggs are fresh. This problem is more likely to occur with things like baking powder. Many people don’t even think about checking the expiration date on that until it is too late. So all ingredients need to be checked for expiration dates before starting to cook.
