3 Special Cooking Tips for Rookie Chefs

Watching the Food Network introduces you to many of the top chefs in the industry, from the vibrant Rachael Ray to the flamboyant Emeril Lagasse. As you watch them, observe how they handle their utensils and let not one grease drop fall from their utensils on the counter. Knowing how meticulous they are, you can imagine how many rarely heard of cooking tips they have up their sleeves. Well, you don't have to be a professional to put these tips into action. All of these are intended to make your kitchen time more enjoyable.

One common mishap amongst both rookie and seasoned chefs alike is the smell of burning food penetrating the entire household after a failed cooking. In this instance, it is common for chefs to dash towards open windows. Another way to prevent the burning smell from hitting your clothes is by using whole cloves. The simple act of adding half a cup of whole cloves to a saucepan with two cups of water for boiling and simmering will release a sweet smell strong enough to cover your entire home. Not only will you eliminate the annoying burning smell, but your house will smell lusciously in the process!

The second cooking tip involves checking your grills temperature when it doesn't have a built in thermometer. In this case, place your hand right over the coals. If you can keep your hand there for no more than 2 seconds, it is hot enough to cook. Counting to 4-5 is ideal, but 2 seconds is even better for meat. Aim for medium heat when you are adding vegetables to the mix. Although this technique works pretty well, make sure your next grill has a built in thermometer feature.

Our third cooking tip of the day is to conquer cookies by making them all round every time. One way to do this is to add your cookie dough to empty juice cans, add to the fridge, and slice off the ends of the can to push the dough cutting cookies into shape. With this method, you are guaranteed perfectly shaped cookies. You can also weave your magic with croutons. Simply cut slices of bread into cubes to your preferred size, add them to a baking tray with oil and garlic powder, broil the tray, and there you have it - stiff enough croutons to please the senses. Throw in some different spices here and there for added warmth and you are a full fledged cuisine artist!