Soul
food recipes have a reputation of being simple - but not always easy.
There's a unique difference. With practice and patience most people can
master the average soul food recipe. The problems mount when you
mistake a simple recipe as an easy recipe. This usually results in
taking an ingredient, cooking technique or method for granted.
Before
you take on any recipe, make sure you understand what cooking technique
you must apply, what cooking tools and equipment you'll need and what
ingredients the recipe calls for.
The
sound of "what happened" comes from the lips of most would-be cooks who
thought skipping what they thought was a small and not so important
step the recipe called for. This is an obvious golden rule to remember.
But there are 3 golden rules to having success with soul food recipes.
I'll cover them here.
1. Thou Shall Make A Shopping List
This
is a simple actions many people neglect to do. Research has proven
people who use a shopping list save 10 - 45% more money and save almost
twice as much time shopping than those who don't. This doesn't count
having to go back to the store because you forgot something important
the recipe called for.
2. Thou Shall Learn The Language Of Recipes
Or
at least keep a good dictionary close by. There's an old saying that if
you can read you can cook. That's saying is partially true, but not
completely true. A more accurate saying is If you can understand the
language of recipes you can cook. You have to know the difference
between searing, braising and roasting, if not your result will turn
out different than you planned.
3. Thou Shall Learn From Thy Mistakes
This
is one of the most important golden rules of all. Why? Because every
cook makes mistakes even the worlds best. The difference between a good
cook and a bad cook is the good one's took the time to learn from there
mistakes. Notice I said take the time to learn from their mistakes.
When you burn , overcook, undercook or goof up a recipe, the first
impulse is to throw your hand up in despair and quit. But the key hear
is to retrace your steps, find out what you didn't do and try it again.
If
you take the time to follow these 3 simple rules you'll improve your
cooking skills instantly no matter what level of experience, training
or education you have or don't have.
