Best And Genuine Methods To Cook Perfect Dishes
The key to great cooking is not a long list of complicated recipes. Learning to use a few good methods well, such as searing, roasting, braising and seasoning, will mean that you can cook almost anything with confidence. Here are the methods that make the biggest difference to your cooking, and where you can find good recipes and inspiration.
Start with good preparation
Professional cooks refer to this as ‘mise en place’. Doing the prep work for a recipe (reading it through, weighing and chopping ingredients, and having pans and utensils to hand) before starting to cook makes for a more relaxed and less error-prone experience of cooking, especially when using quick methods of cooking such as stir-frying.
Master the core cooking methods
| Method | Best for | Key tip |
|---|---|---|
| Searing and pan-frying | Steaks, chops, fish fillets | Heat the pan well and do not overcrowd it |
| Roasting | Joints, whole chicken, vegetables | Spread food out so it browns rather than steams |
| Braising and stewing | Tougher cuts, pulses, root vegetables | Cook low and slow until tender |
| Stir-frying | Vegetables, noodles, thin strips of meat | Prepare everything first; it cooks in minutes |
| Steaming and poaching | Fish, eggs, delicate vegetables | Gentle heat keeps food moist |
| Baking | Bread, cakes, pastry | Weigh accurately and preheat the oven |
Season as you go
Seasoning food is what makes it delicious rather than flat, and adding salt in stages and tasting as you cook is better than adding it all at the end. A squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar can rescue a dull dish and fresh herbs added at the end of cooking add a bright note to a dish.
Let meat rest
Rest meat, loosely covered, for a few minutes after roasting or frying and then slice. The juices will settle in the meat and not run onto the board.
Cook food safely
Good cooking is also safe cooking. The Food Standards Agency advises cooking poultry, pork, burgers and sausages until they are steaming hot throughout, with no pink meat and juices that run clear. Keep raw and cooked foods apart, and wash hands and chopping boards after handling raw meat. The FSA’s guide to cooking your food safely covers the details.
Where to find good recipes and ideas
There are thousands of recipes available on the internet. Online food communities and forums can be very useful to swap ideas with other individuals who are interested in cooking as well as to ask for advice and receive feedback from other cooks. Look for recipes that contain clear quantities, clear cooking times and good reviews. Use well-respected cookery writers, as well as food magazines and television food programmes for reliable methods. Cookery classes are another great way to acquire new cooking skills whether they are conducted in person or online.
- Choose one new technique a week and practise it.
- Cook the same dish several times until you know it well.
- Keep notes on what worked and what you would change.
- Taste constantly and adjust.
Frequently asked questions
What equipment does a beginner need?
A good sharp cook’s knife, a large chopping board, a heavy frying pan, a saucepan with a lid, a roasting tin and a set of scales will get you started. You can then purchase more equipment as you need it.
Why does my food stew instead of browning?
Usually the pan is not hot enough or it is overcrowded, so moisture cannot escape. Cook in batches, pat meat and vegetables dry, and let the pan heat up properly before adding food.
Where to go next
Planning where to cook? Read why freestanding kitchens are making a comeback.
