Sharing entry #2: Cooking & related disciplines

[yvi]

Second verse, same as the first:

Over the next few days, I will be trying to post one entry per day where people can share general tips and tricks they think could be valuable to others. No matter how basic they are or how few people you think would profit from them. Just think about how you do things and share this with others.

This entry is all about cooking, baking and related disciplines.

Other entries:
Cleaning

Comments

[cledon]

Oh, also. I cheat when cooking rice. I never can add the right amount of liquid to cook down at the same time the rice is done. The rice is either soupy or burnt at the bottom and still crunchy.

So I cook rice like pasta and just drain it well when it's done. Put it back in the pot to steam itself dry for a couple minutes and it's done.

[marymac]

I find my mum's trick for rice works almost foolproofly: double water to rice - so one mug of rice, two mugs water, cover, simmer low. Is magic.

(Admittedly I do have one pan that is still slightly black from The Time We Got Doug Drunk, but rice for twelve on short notice with drink taken is extenuating circumstances, right?)

[cledon]

Hee! Definitely extenuating circumstances.

That's actually the rice:water proportion I used until I gave up. So not proof against this fool. *g*

[freya46]

I tend to use brown rices as they are much healthier. Also gives a totally different taste. I double the water as well, but then I add just a wee bit more because the brown rices really do require more.

Oh..a neat trick with garlic if you use a lot of it... slice the whole thing across the circumference, wrap in tin foil and then bake for about 45 minutes. Take it out, let it cool a bit then squeeze out the garlic into a container. It lasts for a very long time.

[cledon]

Ooh, that's roasted garlic, isn't it? I used to buy it at a fancy deli in a city I no longer live in. *sob* Ate it on buttered toast with salt and pepper. Thank you for the instructions on how to make it myself.

[freya46]

I happened to turn on the tv to the cooking channel this afternoon and watched as someone made a scratch pizza using roasted garlic paste mashed with a bit of olive oil instead of tomato sauce. I cannot wait to try it. he also took the meat out of a couple of Italian sausages and spread it on top of the garlic.

Definitely not for someone going out on a date. *grin*

[cledon]

My eyes are glazing over with lust at the thought of that pizza. OMGYUM!

Hmm... I've never made pizza. Maybe it's time to try it. *g*

[freya46]

I can't physically roll out the dough, so I take two large wraps, throw some grated mozza between them to act as glue and then put whatever I want on it. Unlike pizza dough, it isn't necessary to pre-bake your pie.

[cledon]

I was thinking of cheating with the pre-made pizza crust by Boboli. I've seen that in my supermarket but I've never tried it.

Not that your idea doesn't sound delicious, like a pizza quesadilla.

[freya46]

Oh, we have them here as well. but I can't do all the fiddly stuff that's necessary. My digits don't always play well together. *grin*
Let me know how it comes out. :-)

[cledon]

I made the garlic paste/sausage pizza tonight and it was delicious. I have heartburn and I DON'T CARE it was so yummy. Thank you for the recipe idea. This one is a keeper.

[freya46]

I am glad. Try drinking some milk or a derivitive thereof when having anything spicy..for both your mouth and stomach. :-)

[cledon]

Since I will be having it again tonight, I will do so. Thanks! (not really a heartburn masochist)

[freya46]

It's something I learned when I lived in Israel. There is a very hot spice mixture called Harif. I couldn't eat it without milk. Since I hate milk..... *grin*

[amadi]

If you eat white rice, rather than brown, skip the basic stuff and go for Jasmine rice. It cooks much faster, is almost impossible to mess up when you follow the proportions provided on the package, and it tastes immeasurably better than the plain variety. I've been known to eat it with just a shake of salt and pepper, nothing else necessary.

[cledon]

I've seen that in the grocery store and will try it. Tastier versions of anything is always appreciated. Thanks!

[freya46]

it's the only white rice I will eat. I use only brown otherwise. I got some dried jasmine flowers in an Asian store and added it in with the rice. Oh My!! It was fabulous.