10 cooking tips I learned from watching Food Network TV

I’m a food-competition junkie, not participating of course but watching on TV and I’m not afraid to admit it. It doesn’t make much sense though because I just hate cooking…no really, I hate it.

I know lots of people who love cooking and they say it de-stresses them…hello! Why? You’re standing for hours, cutting, shopping, stirring, blending, etc. Then you serve it and then it’s gone within minutes, poof! nothing to show for all this work.

I watch Master Chef, Master Chef Junior, Top Chef, Chopped, Chopped Junior, Chopped Teens, Holiday Baking Competition but I guess I’m mostly amazed and in awe of kids on Master Chef Junior that are between 8 and 13, cooking master pieces, using words like coulis, or confit, or ceviche and showing plating talent worthy of classy restaurants.

The smallest ones (like Kya below who is 8 years old!) need a stool to stand on so they can reach the top of the counter and stove!

Kya, my favourite and her signature dish (yep they each have one!) is Chicken Kiev

Ok so back to my headline…I did learn a thing or two from all these cooks (kids included) and I’m happy to share those here in case you didn’t know.

My Top 10 Cooking Tips I learned from Foodnetwork

1 . Always cut your ingredients like veggies, potatoes, chicken,etc. the same size so they cook evenly

2 . You can make a sauce by throwing a bunch of spices, veggies and oil in a blender

3 . To cook scallops perfectly, add butter to a hot pan and melt, add your scallops and cook 90 seconds on each side

4 . To cook mushrooms nicely, add butter to hot pan, wait till brown to add the mushrooms, stir often and cook slowly to let the water evaporate

5 . To cook fish: whisk one egg, dip fish in egg then coat with panko breadcrumbs and add lots of butter to hot non-stick pan, add fish and turn only once, adding olive oil if need be to prevent sticking. You can also constantly baste the fish with the butter in the pan if you have enough

6 . To open a garlic bulb, smash it with the side of a wide knife

7 . Pile up food on top of your mashed potatoes or your rice so you get everything at the same time in one spoonful

8 . You have to let red meat rest before slicing it so it won’t loose all the juices

9 . Do not break pasta in two before adding it to the boiling water (I do this, shame on me )

10. Always add salt to your boiling water when cooking pasta

Your turn: do you have any quick cooking tips to share?