Cooking is challenging, but it's fascinating.
So there are a lot of tips that help make things easier and cook a perfectly delicious dish.
Previously, these secrets were passed down from family to family, but in the age of the Internet, everything has become public.
On the one hand, this is good, and on the other hand, you can find a lot of false tips on the network that will either spoil the food, or simply make you spend more time on unnecessary trifles.
It is better to know the enemy in person, so the most common myths of cooking and got into this collection.
1. Rice should be washed
It is believed that rice should be washed until it becomes transparent.
Many experienced cooks, both home and professional, unanimously say: wash the rice.
As an argument, they say that it will not stick together and after cooking it will acquire a pleasant crumbly structure.
But in fact, it all depends on how much water to add to the pan and how often to stir the rice.
And washing it too intensively, you can deprive the rice of some nutrients.
2. Baking soda can be stored as long as you want
Nothing lasts forever in this world, not even baking soda.
Many people believe that soda does not spoil, so even if it has been on the shelf for years, it can be used without fear. It, of course, has a long shelf life, but it is also limited: baking soda is recommended to be replaced every 6-12 months.
3. Salted pasta cooks faster
It is said that salt speeds up the preparation of the dish, but is it so?
Thanks to salt, you can bring the water to a boil faster, it's true. But pasta is already cooked quickly enough, so if you do not add salt immediately, it is unlikely that there will be a big difference. Therefore, next time when cooking pasta, you should not be zealous with salt, if they are oversalted - the taste will definitely suffer.
4. When to add spices?
Spices make the dish richer, more interesting and individual.
It is believed that you need to add seasonings just a few minutes before cooking. However, in fact, 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 like.
5. Pasta should be washed
Almost everyone is used to washing pasta after cooking.
That's what a lot of people think, but it's not really necessary. It helps to stop the cooking process, which is great, but only if the pasta is close to digestion. And if the pasta is cooked properly and there is no need to save it, it is better not to rinse it with water, because it washes away the starch, which usually provides a good adhesion to the sauce.
6. Raw vegetables are healthier
Raw or cooked: which is better?
Raw tomatoes are thought to be much healthier than heat-treated tomatoes, just like raw carrots. However, this is a highly controversial claim. Cooking tomatoes breaks down some nutrients. And individual elements can even become healthier when exposed to high temperatures, such as lycopene. Boiled carrots also contain more beta-carotene than raw ones. But the fruit without heat treatment helps fight inflammation in the body. Therefore, it is possible to fight inflammation in the body. to conclude that both raw and cooked vegetables remain useful, so you need to focus more on your taste preferences than on the generally accepted opinion.
7. Wooden cutting boards are harmful
Should I avoid wood cutting boards at all costs?
This myth comes from a small truth. Wooden cutting boards have a more porous structure where food and bacteria can linger. But a study has shown that bacteria die quite quickly because the top layer of wood is quickly erased. However, it is important to wash the cutting board regularly and thoroughly.
8. Bread in the refrigerator
Will the bread be fresh if stored in the refrigerator?
Bread spoils equally, even though it's on the counter or in the fridge. The starches it contains crystallize faster in cool conditions, so maybe the bread will harden even faster. The best option is to just buy fresh bread when needed.
