Cooking is difficult but very exciting. Therefore, there are many tips to help make the task easier and prepare a perfectly delicious dish. Previously, these secrets were passed from family to family, but in the era of the Internet, everything became public. On the one hand, this is good, but on the other hand, you can find a lot of false advice on the Internet that will either spoil the food, or simply make you spend more time on unnecessary trifles. It is better to know the enemy by sight, which is why the most common cooking myths are included in this collection.
1. Rice needs to be washed
Many experienced chefs, both home and professional, unanimously repeat: rinse the rice. As an argument, they say that this way it will not stick together and after cooking it will acquire a pleasant crumbly structure. But it really depends on how much water you add to the pot and how often you stir the rice. And rinsing it too vigorously can deprive the rice of some of its nutrients.
2. You can store baking soda as long as you like
Many people believe that baking soda does not deteriorate, so even if it has been on the shelf for years, it can be used safely. She, of course, has a long shelf life, but it is also limited: it is recommended to replace the baking soda every 6-12 months.
3. Salty pasta cooks faster
Thanks to the salt, you can bring the water to a boil faster, that's true. But the pasta is already cooked quickly enough, so if you don't add salt right away, then there will hardly be a big difference. Therefore, the next time you cook pasta, you should not be zealous with salt, if they are too salty - the taste will definitely suffer.
4. When to add spices?
It is believed that seasoning should be added just a few minutes before cooking. However, in reality this is not the case, or rather not necessary. For those who like a more multifaceted and original taste and aroma, it is better to add spices to food at the beginning of cooking or gradually, at different stages of readiness. Chemical reactions occur when food is heated, so you can experiment with spices as you please.
5. Pasta needs to be washed
Many people think so, but in fact it is not necessary. This helps stop the cooking process, which is great, but only if the pasta is close to being digested. And if the pasta is cooked properly and there is no need to save it, it is best not to rinse it with water, as it washes away the starch, which usually provides a good adhesion to the sauce.
6. Raw vegetables are healthier
It is believed that raw tomatoes are much healthier than cooked ones, just like raw carrots. However, this is a very controversial statement. Cooking tomatoes breaks down some of the nutrients. And certain elements may even become healthier when exposed to high temperatures, such as lycopene. Cooked carrots also contain more beta-carotene than raw carrots. But the fruit without heat treatment helps fight inflammation in the body. Therefore, it can be concluded that both raw and cooked vegetables remain healthy, so you need to focus on your taste preferences rather than conventional wisdom.
7. Wooden cutting boards are harmful
This myth comes from a little truth. Wood cutting boards have a more porous structure where food and bacteria can lodge. But the study showed that bacteria die rather quickly, since the top layer of the tree is quickly erased. However, it is imperative that you wash your cutting board regularly and thoroughly.
8. Bread in the refrigerator
Bread is equally spoiled, even though it is on the counter or in the refrigerator. The starches it contains crystallize faster in cool conditions, so the bread might harden even faster. The best option would be to simply buy fresh bread when needed.
But with these 14 tricks cooking will be much more pleasant and faster.