Four Ways To Add More Flavor To Your Cooking

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It's usually a good idea to experiment with new flavors in your cuisine. You don't have to be a professional chef to know how to enhance the flavors in your food. And doing this may actually be a lot simpler than you think. Here are a few techniques that will go a long way to upgrading all of your dishes. Whether you're cooking in the kitchen or having a BBQ with guests, these ideas will make everything taste better.

Use Table Salt In Your Sauces
This one appears to be a no-brainer. However you need to consider that there are two types of salt: table salt and rock salt. Rock salt is coarser milled and typically needs to be grinded as it is dispensed. If you add this type of salt to sauces or stews, the larger crystals have virtually no effect. You won't get any additional taste so you shouldn't bother. Table salt, on the other hand, is ideal for this type of seasoning. It absorbs into the cuisine and brings out all of the subtle flavors. Save the rock salt for flavoring salads or other items that will not be cooked. Try this slow cooker bbq chicken recipe.

 
Use Meat On The Bone
Most people prefer to cook meat off the bone. This means preparing cuts like chicken breast because you don't want to deal with the bone. The meat just on bone, on the other hand, has more complex flavor. This comes from the bone. It also tends to retain more fluids so it comes out juicier. Instead of grilled chicken breasts, consider oven-baked chicken thighs the next time you make chicken. The contrast in flavors will be a pleasant surprise. You're essentially cooking the same protein but changing up your cuts will turn it into an explosion of flavor.

Use In-Season Vegetables
This is a simple tip that can easily improve the flavor of your food while also adding some variety to your cooking. Choose whichever vegetables are in season, and your food will taste better right away. Whenever something is out of season, it never tastes as good as it should. They're not as fresh, and the flavors aren't as strong as they may be. In contrast, in-season vegetables are bursting with freshness and vibrant flavor. Always try to select in-season vegetables and then plan a meal around them.

Don’t Rush Your Cooking
We're all guilty of craving quick meals that just take a few minutes to prepare. However, when you speed through the cooking process, the results usually aren't as optimal. If you have the time, take it easy and allow flavors more time to develop. A good example is when you're making a curry which has many spices. Allow them to simmer for at least five minutes before adding the liquid components to unleash all of their flavors. Apply this technique to all types of dishes.  Reduce the heat slightly to cook for a little longer. The dish can still be prepared in 30 minutes, but the taste will be more complex and robust than if you rushed through it.

These tips should help you to make sure you get the more flavors into your cooking. If you have any tips of your own, please share them.

This is a contributed post.