Cooking and meal preparation is more than just following a recipe.We need the right Tools. We need a well-stocked Pantry. We need to understand the Terms and Techniques. Then we need to know what to do with that knowledge to prepare the food.
Here you will find an ever-changing compendium of the Kitchen Knowledge of Easy Gourmet Dinners.
It can be frustrating to get part way through preparing a dish and realize you don't understand the next step - whether it's an unfamiliar measurement or an oven temperature you're not familiar with.
This covers the way I do things, my opinions, philosophies, techniques, etc. Feel free to do things your own way, disagree with me, challenge me and tell me what I've missed.
By the way: I assume you know enough to wash the fruits and vegetables (not mushrooms) before using...and to peel onions, garlic, shallots, etc.Food Techniques and Information:
Avocado: How to tell if it's ripe, how to remove the pit, how to slice it.
Asparagus: Green, white or violet: What's the difference? How to cook it; store it.
Courgette (Zucchini): How to use and freeze this versatile and nutritious vegetable.
Dairy Products: The difference between Fromage Frais, Fromage Blanc and Greek Yogurt.
Eggs: How to hard boil; how to separate; how to freeze.
Herbs, Herb Gardens and Seasonal Eating Hot to use fresh herbs in summer and freeze them for fresh summer taste in winter. Eating with the seasons.
Meat - is it done yet? Tips and temperatures to tell if it's done the way you want it.
Mushrooms Clean, yes. Wash, noooo.... How to prepare mushrooms.
Olives: How to remove the pit.
Onions, leeks, shallots, garlic: How to clean, slice and store
Pasta How much to use ....educated guessing
Peppers How to cut, what to throw....
Potatoes, How to slice for various dishes, how to store
Pumpkin: How to choose, store and prepare pumpkin, to use now or freeze for later.
Soup Base: he beginning of almost any cream-style soup...
Tomatoes: Peeling, freezing, roasting; making sauce, juice, lots of tips for tomatoes.
Miscellaneous Techniques and Tips
Barbecue Grills: A primer on barbecue grills and smokers.
Chopping terms: Chopping and cutting terms, as used in the recipes
Food Pyramids and Healthy Eating: The foods I try to incorporate eat each week into my diet and the Weekly Menu plans.
Lining ramekins, pans, Using paper, butter; tips to making lining easy.
Wine What to use, substitutions
Do you have a garden? Or a farm that supplies fruits and vegetables?
Or maybe you like to shop at the local market, buying only the best of each season?
Easy Gourmet Dinners offers healthy, delicious, easy to prepare recipes, using fresh, seasonal foods.
It's time to get away from processed food!
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