Observations on cooking

In the past several years I have gone from a “make stuff you can survive on” kind of guy to one who can make some very memorable culinary experiences at home. Over this time, I’ve chronicled some of my successes here at At Least I’m Enjoying the Ride. I hope that you all have been able to translate some these recipes and stories into successes of your own.

During this time, I’ve noted that there are several things that make the difference between an average meal and a spectacular meal. I’d like to share them with you now.

1. Use the freshest ingredients possible – This may seem like a no brainer, but I cannot stress enough how important this is. Picking something fresh from your own garden is best but a local farmer’s market can be pretty close. Both are preferable to supermarket “fresh” which is still better than frozen or canned.
2. Technique is important – A lot of people can throw something in a pan and fry it, but properly searing a protein and then having the middle at the proper temperature for serving makes a huge difference. You cannot make a proper omelet with the proper technique. The list goes on and on.
3. Technique is important part 2 – Learn how to properly use a knife in the kitchen. In fact, I should do a series on this alone. Proper knife technique can save hours in kitchen prep and can add a fair bit of visual appeal.
4. Learn how to use your tools – Each and every tool in your kitchen has specific techniques that you need to master to use them properly. Do it and you will save yourself a lot of hassle and stress. Nothing frustrates me more than finding a perfectly good kitchen gadget or tool thrown out or given away because the person didn’t take the time to learn to use it properly.
5. Sweat the details – It may seem like a little thing that will save some time but it is there for a reason. Don’t skip or gloss over the little things because you are rushing to get something done. The guests will understand.
6. You eat with your eyes first – I didn’t understand this at first but I’ve come to understand how important plating really is. A pile of glop on the plate may taste good but that doesn’t make it appealing. Arranging the items on a plate artistically or even neatly can really make a difference in how a dish is received.
7. Don’t forget about the room – Ambient lighting, place settings, and flowers all add to the visual appeal of the dish and help create an atmosphere for the dinner you are serving. Ignore them at your own peril.
8. Have fun! – Don’t forget to have fun while your doing this.