Simple ways to become a better cook

For most people, 'living healthy' tops the list of New Year resolutions. And as 'eating right' and health are interlinked, learning to cook well is a must. Cooking is much more than reading a recipe and following a set of instructions. To become a good cook, you will require some time to master the game.

SHOP WITH CARE

Most beginners have the notion that the real cooking starts in the kitchen. Wrong. It actually starts in the market. Take some time out to visit the market to pick the best-quality fruits, deeplycoloured vegetables and the freshest meats.

Note: Never allot the task of shopping to the house help or anyone else. Do it yourself.

AVOID DISTRACTION

Turn off the TV, don't talk on the phone or surf the internet while you are cooking. Be aware of what the food looks like or what it smells like, at every stage.

Note: Keeping a watchful eye can help you improvise and come up with a new addition to the dish.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Begin by practising a few basics, like a vegetable or chicken soup, an omelette and rice-dal. Figure out what went wrong with the dish when you prepared it for the first time, keep it in mind and move on. Repeat the recipe until you are satisfied with the result. Note: Don't invest in extravagant vessels and elaborate cookbooks in the beginning. Start with basic utensils and expand your kitchen only once you are confident.

TASTE YOUR FOOD WHILE YOU COOK

Flavour is built up in layers; when you taste the food in various stages of being cooked, you will realise how it's coming along. For example, if you are cooking with tomato, you will notice how the flavour of a tomato sauce deepens as it cooks. Also, when it comes to seasoning, there's more to just salty or sweet; tart, acidic or piquant. Note: Little tasting spoons are a must to try the dish; they must be a part of your tool kit.

ORGANISE WELL

Keep everything you'll need, while cooking, at hand. Since you are not used to the whole process of cooking, you may miss out on a few ingredients. So have everything prepped and cho-pped before you begin.

Note:

Maintain a spice and herb drawer. Apart from the basic spices in your kitchen, have chilli flakes, oregano and herbs at hand; they can enliven any dish.

GET THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

There are a few essential equipment that you need to have. These include a blender, skillet, woks, roasting pans, slow cookers, casserole dishes and salad bowls. Besides these, a well-stocked kitchen includes a saucepan, cutting boards,one for meat and one for vegetables. You should also have a set of mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons.

WELL-STOCKED PANTRY IS A MUST

Enhance your pantry. Every time you reach the bottom of your ginger-garlic paste or vinegar bottle, jot it down on your list, so that you don't find it empty the next time you start to cook. On travels abroad, pick up spices and sauces to add to the repertoire.

Inputs by celebrity chef Madhu Sneha Upadhyay and chef Rakhee Vaswani

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