SOLUTIONS TO COMMON COOKING DISASTERS - part II
STEPS TO RECTIFY YOUR DINNER QUANDARY:
It is surely a gut-crunching feeling when we have missed an important additive to the food we are cooking, or misread the recipe. But dont worry. Here are some easy ways to correct the blooper, thereby making your mistakes a secret for ever. Try these simple tips to make your fiasco dinner into a appetizing one.
CONTINUED FROM "SOLUTIONS TO COMMON COOKING DISASTERS - part I"
7. YOU HAVE ONLY DRY HERBS, BUT YOU NEED FRESH ONES:
Dried herbs seem to have a concentrated flavor than the fresh ones. So use only half the amount of dried ones for fresh herbs. This is an easy method. For example: if your recipe requires 1 tablespoon of fresh herb, just use 1/2 tablespoon of dry.
8.FORGOT TO SOFTEN THE BUTTER OR YOU SOFTENED IT TOO MUCH:
KOUH says," If you want to soften the butter in a hurry, cut it up into very small pieces and let it sit at room temperature for five minutes. If you've left it out too long and it is over-softened, but not melted, place it back into the fridge for about five minutes to firm up."
9. OVER ROASTED THE CHICKEN ON THE GRILLED:
"If you cooked it with the skin on..simply pull off the skin and discard it. This not only will hide th unsightly fact that you burned the chicken, but you're also removing the potentially harmful carcinogens found in charred meats. Stuck with black meat? Slice the blackened portion off and cover the evidence with barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or salsa. Your guests will never find out," says KOCH.
10.OVER COOKED VEGGIES:
Now they can be converted into mini casserole! McKeller says," If you have 2 cups of mushy veggies, add one beaten egg, 1/4 cup shredded cheese, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes in an oven heated to 350 degrees. Your casserole is ready. Another way of using the mushy veggies is - Mix up the vegetables and add 1/2 cup of broth, your favorite herbs and garlic. Then blend like soup and freeze the mixture in ice cube trays to create small vegetable boullion cubes that you can later drop in soups for a different flavor.
11. YOUR MEAL HAS BECOME TOO SPICY:
There are countless ways to balance the heat. DAIRY suggests some ways: "Heavy cream or butter can cool a too-spicy soup or sauce. Or, you could top over-spiced meats with a large dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream. Even a dollop of tangy cream cheese or goat cheese can counteract the heat of a dish. Sweet and acidic ingredients also minimize heat. Adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey along with 1 or 2 teaspoons of vinegar or citrus will also help to reduce the heat. If you don't want to alter your spicy dish, just pair it with a mild side such as plain mashed potatoes, rice or pasta.
