Learn to Cook!

cookingaldente — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:39:12 +0000

There are a lot of people that want to take cooking classes but don’t have the time or money for expensive culinary classes. Cooking classes can be found in surprising places. It may not be the one on one help that could happen in a actual class, but it is just as good. When my mother took me to my first cooking class, I didn’t know what to think. I walked into a classroom on the top floor of Central Market in Fort Worth and got a shock. The class was very enjoyable, informative, and delicious (you get to eat everything that is cooked). They also give you the recipes that are used for each class. Since that first class I have attended classes taught by Central Market staff, Tre Wilcox, Johnny Carino, and many others. I highly recommend those classes to anyone interested in cooking. The following are places to take cooking classes in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

Central Market – http://www.centralmarket.com/cm/cmClasses.jsp

Mozzerella Cheese Company – http://www.mozzco.com/classes.html

Williams-Sonoma – check with your local store to see what classes they have

Cake Carousel – http://www.cakecarousel.com/classes.htm

Dallas Farmer’s Market – http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/

Cooking With Carol – http://www.cookinwithcarol.com/cwcclass.htm

For everyone that doesn’t live in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, try checking with your local stores to find a cooking class near you.

Helpful Cooking Tips

cookingaldente — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:14:51 +0000

I have gone to over 20 cooking classes since last year and there are some basic cooking tips that everyone should know. I put these together from the instructions every chef has given about commonly made mistakes.

Olive oil has a low burning point. You can’t use olive oil to cook everything. There’s no sin in using vegetable, grapeseed, or canola oils. Peanut oil is ok, if no one has a nut allergy. The important thing is that the oil you use should fit your situation. For instance, if you are thinking of deep frying in olive oil. Don’t!
Never use cold eggs to cook. When cooking, the temperature of the eggs can effect the outcome. It’s already made a difference in the cakes and pies that I make. The truth is any ingredients from the refrigerator should be room temperature before use, unless the recipe calls for cold ingredients.
Frozen vegetables are a good thing. Frozen vegetables have been flash frozen, to keep them fresh. Using them cuts down your cooking and cutting time, when preparing meals.
Don’t rinse berries. Rinsing strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries with water is not necesscery. They hold the water and become mushy and tasteless. Just wipe off excess dirt with a clean cloth or soft brush. When using raspberries, always check the center for worms.
Seasonings don’t last forever. If you have seasonings that have been sitting in the cabinet for over a year. Throw them out. Seasonings lose flavor, although, they can last longer if you keep them in the freezer.

Cooking Al dente

Learn to Cook!

Helpful Cooking Tips