Learning How To Cook - Part 3

By Alden Smith

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

In the first 2 parts of this series, we discussed nomenclature, different methods of cooking, and a few tips.  In the conclusion, we present obvious mistakes beginning cooks make, safety in the kitchen and ways to make cooking a more pleasurable experience. 

Common Mistakes

The greatest chefs of the world had to start somewhere.  Being a good cook is not something you are born with, or pick up by osmosis from your parents.  Let's look at some common mistakes beginning cooks make:

• Keeping your hands clean - according to the Center for Disease Control, 25% of victims of food borne illness get it from their own kitchen.  Everyone washes their hands before beginning to cook, but to play it safe, wash your hands with a bacterial soap when changing between components of a meal, such as handling meat, handling salad ingredients, or adding spices.
• Never wash fruits and vegetables and then store in the refrigerator. They may look nicer if you do this, but if it retains moisture from washing, microbes and bacteria can form on the produce.  Wash instead just before use.  Peel off all outer layers from heads of lettuce or cabbage and discard.
• Don't leave food warming on the stove top or in the oven.  Remember the 40/140 rule, a standard of all health care facilities.  Cold foods should never get above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and hot foods should never get below 140 degrees F.  Don't be fooled by thinking that re-warming the food will kill harmful bacteria - many of them become resistant to heat.
• Don't trust the temperature controls on your refrigerator or freezer.  Instead buy a thermometer that attaches to a wall or sits on a shelf to insure you know the exact temperature of these appliances.  A refrigerator should be between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the freezer at 0 degrees.
• Always use a meat thermometer when cooking meats.  A good meat thermometer will tell you what temperature various cuts of meat should be for both doneness and safety.

Spices

• Reams have been written about the use of spices in cooking.  Beginning cooks usually either over spice or end up with a dish that is bland.  Take time to learn about each of the major spices.  Don't be afraid to experiment with any dish, though.  You may be pleasantly surprised at the end result.

Basic Tricks

• When cooking with olive oil, don't make the mistake of putting all the recipe calls for in the pan.  Instead, put in a small amount to grease the pan, and then dip each piece to be cooked in the remaining oil.
• Learning to cook is both a satisfying pastime and better suits your nutritional needs.  The best way to learn to cook is to follow proven recipes exactly. 
• Learning how to use spices and condiments is essential, too.  The very best resource for learning to cook is online.  Do your own research, and don't be afraid to experiment!