A good cook is always clean. Before getting into the kitchen, they should have a bath, combed hair, and should wear clean clothes. Even the kitchen utensils being used for cooking should be clean. The kitchen floor should be clean and well mopped. The cupboards shelves and drawers should be well taken care of.
Before food is stored the refrigerator, that is fruits; vegetables; fish meat; and any other food must be cleaned and have excess water removed. A properly arranged fridge with food in their right places makes life easier when wanting to prepare a meal. Store and pack food in small sizes which can be used once when cooking
Once in your kitchen and ready to cook the food, be mindful of the methods of cooking you are going to use. Food can be stewed; this is a long slow cooking method of food which is suitable for the entire family. Meat and fish can be stewed.
Boiling the food is very ideal for vegetables, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, fresh groundnuts and many others. Attention has to be paid that not too much water is used when boiling the food.
Fried food should be handled with utmost care. Making sure that enough time is spent so that food is well cooked. When cooking vegetables, onions and tomatoes should be fried first. When vegetables are added to the paste, do not leave them too long on the cooker.
Steaming is another method for preparing foods like fish puddings. Roasting and grilling food is another method of preparing meat and fish. Enough time should be spent making sure that the food is well roasted.
To sum it all, food that is prepared using different types of methods makes it inviting and tasty. A full course meal comprises of a starter which can be soup or a cold salad, the main meal and a dessert. Deserts and soups do not take much time in preparations especially when you have packed or instant packets. Much time is spent on preparing the main meal. An important point to consider is to make sure the meal is well balanced, comprising of carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins.
Proteins can be stewed, roasted or grilled, whilst carbohydrates can be boiled or baked in order to preserve the vitamins. Vegetables may be boiled for a short time, or served raw as salads.
Lastly, the serving of the food demands special attention. The table should be laid attractively. This is the first point of contact for those that are about to partake the food. Appetites are raised at this point.
Stay blessed.
