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Include Magic in Food: 7 Ways
Cooking is an art. It is a series of skills blended with an aspiring outcome of delicious and flavourful creations. But to some, culinary art is looked upon as a hassle, exhausting, and forced; it’s a skill for survival instead of enjoyment. How can this perception be changed? How can non-foodies, those timid chefs, grow a desire to cook? Here are seven ways to increase food magic, making it more enjoyable to dabble in the kitchen.
1. Starting with simple recipes adds to food magic
Many ambitious cooks seek recipes involving numerous ingredients and complicated steps, which in the end, burst their confidence should the dish not turn out. To build confidence and avoid being discouraged, choose simple recipes with 10 or fewer ingredients to begin. Examples of such dishes include casseroles, kinds of pasta, simple curries, and stir-fries.
2. Using a variety of herbs
Herbs are such an important component of a dish. They are strong and fragrant and add flavor to a dish, turning it from the ordinary to the sublime. Taking a simple casserole and adding a sprig of rosemary, a bunch of parsley, chopped thyme, or any other herb brings out the natural flavors of the initial ingredients. It creates a tantalizing fusion for the palate.
3. Using Colour
Food coloring/gels/dyes add character and flair to dishes. Color helps culinary artists, new and seasoned, achieve intended outcomes. Adding color brightens meals, making them more appealing to eat.
For example, one of the newest trends is incorporating rainbows in bakes. By incorporating food dyes into the mixture, colored layers result, allowing the rainbow effect to be created.
4. Adding Spices For Food Magic
Similar to herbs, spices play a large role in the flavor of a dish. They strongly influence the palate, adding character and, in some cases, originality. Spices are not only important in savories and prove to be a delicious inclusion to basic pastries.
Cardamom, chili, cloves, and many more spices have grown in popularity with chefs to create original and creative variations of classic recipes.
5. Using Real Flowers in Recipes
Many new chefs are unaware of the magic flower petals can cast on their cooking. They are natural, healthy, and beautiful additions to recipes. Popular flowers used in baking include lavender, rose petals, and sunflower.
The flavors add a sublime aroma, brought out by combining them with the standard ingredients. Crème Brûlée, for example, is a classic French dessert made of cream and sugar, then grilled or blow-torched to make a crispy topping. Adding lavender to the dish takes the simple creamy sweet to a sublime and fresh culinary adaptation.
6. Learning basic Piping
New cooks shy away from the use of tools they deem complicated. Piping tools tend to fall under this stigma. Yet, with basic instruction, any chef can turn a beautifully baked cake, cupcake, cookie, etc., into a decadent masterpiece.
Take a simple piping tip – these range in price from $1-$30 depending on brands and the number you wish to own. For new chefs, grab a sandwich bag for the filling of choice. For the more seasoned, reusable bags are available to purchase.
Attach the tip to the cut corner of your bag, fill it with your ingredients, and then squeeze gently to make the swirls, dots, lettering, or whatever other styles you wish. Adding a piped flower, word, or other decoration will add character and magic to your finished product.
7. Bringing Confidence into the Kitchen
A confident chef is the most successful of chefs. Confidence shines through when it is present. Starting a new recipe, learning a new skill, or trying a new combination of ingredients confidently instead of in doubt will lead to further success.