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Kitchen Basics 101: Master Essential Cooking Skills

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Whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or someone looking to sharpen your culinary skills, mastering the basics is essential to creating delicious meals with confidence. In this Kitchen Basics 101 guide, you’ll learn about food storage, sanitation, essential cooking techniques, and more to make your time in the kitchen efficient, safe, and enjoyable!

Food Storage Tips for Freshness and Safety

Proper food storage is critical to maintaining freshness and preventing foodborne illness. Follow these best practices:

  • Refrigerator Stacking Order: Prevent cross-contamination by storing food in the correct order and remember not to stack raw food over your ready to eat foods. You do not want something to spill on another item, which could ultimately cause you to become sick! Always stack food with the highest internal cooking temperature on the bottom:
    – Produce
    – Dairy & Ready to Eat Foods
    – Leftovers
    – Seafood
    – Raw Meats
    – Poultry & Eggs
  • Store leftovers in shallow containers to cool properly. 
  • Cover stored items in saran wrap, foil, or lids to maintain freshness.
  • Refrigerate cut fruits and vegetables promptly to preserve quality. 

Kitchen Sanitation

Good sanitation practices are key to safe cooking. Here is what you need to know:

  • Hand Washing: Make sure your hands are clean before starting any cooking task. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm, soapy water before cooking. Don’t forget to clean under your nails and between your fingers. Wash your hands again after touching phones or other germ-prone times.
  • Avoid Cross-Contamination: When you switch from one task to another, it is important to clean surfaces and hands to prevent contamination of items. Use separate cutting boards when switching between raw meat and produce.
  • Cleanliness Matters: Ensure countertops, cutting boards, and utensils are sanitized before starting any cooking tasks.  
  • Washing Foods:
    • Wash all produce before slicing it open. Even items with rinds and peels, that are inedible. Example: You buy a watermelon at your local supermarket and instead of washing it, you decide to cut into it. All the bacteria on the outside of the rind have now penetrated the flesh of the produce.  

Avoid washing raw meat to prevent the spread of germs to nearby surfaces.

Essential Cooking Techniques and Tools

Master these fundamental cooking methods to build your confidence in the kitchen.

  • Boiling: Cooking food in boiling water (e.g., pasta).
  • Sautéing: Cooking with a small amount of fat in a pan (e.g., onion).
  • Baking: Cooking food by dry heat in the oven (e.g., cake).
  • Roasting: Like baking but usually at a higher temperatures for a golden finish (e.g., turkey)
  • Grilling: Cooking over direct heat (e.g., burgers). 
  • Steaming: Cooking food by placing it over boiling water (e.g., vegetables).
  • Simmering: Cooking just below boiling point (e.g. soups).

Internal Cooking Temperatures:

Ensure your meals are cooked to safe temperatures:

  • Leftovers: 165°F
  • Fish: 145°F
  • Whole Roasts (Beef & Pork): 145°F
  • Ground Meats & Fish: 155°F
  • Whole & Ground Poultry: 165°F

Thawing Techniques for Safe Food Prep

  • Under Refrigeration: First, place the item in a container, so when it thaws out the juices do not leak on other items in the refrigerator. Depending on the size of the item, it can take a few days to thaw under refrigeration. You will need to plan accordingly.
  • Under Running Water “Force Thaw”: Use water below 70°F, ensuring food stays below 41°F.
  • In the Microwave: If thawing in the microwave, make sure it does not partially cook the food and cook the item immediately after. 

Make Cooking Enjoyable

Now that you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to tie on your apron, grab your favorite cutting board, and create something delicious. Experiment with different techniques, try new recipes, and enjoy the process of cooking. We hope that these quick basics are helpful when you decide to plan your next meal. Don’t be afraid to get in the kitchen and create a fun dish for you or your family!

Happy Cooking!