| Some common mistakes that occur when learning | | | | some ingredients cannot be substituted and |
| to cook include some very simple errors. Cooking | | | | others require specific substitutes. |
| is an art but some people claim they cannot even | | | | 5. Read the recipe carefully and create the food in |
| boil water. This excuse is probably just a matter | | | | the exact order called for. |
| of that person never being taught the basics of | | | | 6. Some recipes may be doubled without a |
| cooking. | | | | problem, others cannot. |
| Mistakes can occur anytime during the cooking | | | | 7. Look up the meaning of mix, blend, whip, fold, |
| process. Learning to cook is best done with a | | | | stir, boil, simmer and other action cooking verbs. |
| mentor who can physically show a person how to | | | | 8. Do not pour hot liquids into cold glass. Use glass |
| cook. If that is not an option, it is possible to learn | | | | designed to handle heat or don't use glass. |
| to cook from a book. Many common mistakes | | | | 9. Don't overheat, over-bake or overcook; don't |
| happen due to carelessness, ignorance or reading | | | | under-cook or under-bake. Use a thermometer or |
| errors. | | | | toothpick test to see when done. Use a timer. |
| Here are some tips for avoiding the most | | | | 10. Follow health rules for handling raw meats, |
| common cooking mistakes: | | | | poultry and fish. Use separate cutting boards or |
| 1. Use a recipe; read the recipe to be sure you | | | | wash between foods. |
| understand everything. | | | | 11. Use proper size of pots and pans. |
| 2. Follow the recipe exactly. Do not estimate | | | | 12. Be careful around the hot stove burners. Turn |
| quantities; measure carefully, using measuring cups | | | | pan handles so they are not protruding out over |
| and measuring spoons. | | | | the edge of the stove into the room where you |
| 3. Read your recipe ingredient list and gather all | | | | could bump into them and spill hot contents. |
| ingredients on the counter prior to starting. This | | | | Protect children from hot items. |
| helps avoid the problem of not having some | | | | 13. Watch what you are cooking; stay in the |
| ingredient you need to have. Lay them in a line in | | | | kitchen. |
| the order that the recipe calls for their use. | | | | Cooking is creative and fun. With a little |
| 4. Refer to a cooking reference book if you want | | | | preparation and education, everyone can cook! |
| to substitute one ingredient for another because | | | | |