Cooking fresh, delicious meals for friends and family is one of the ways we can show them how much we love them. It takes time and thought to prepare food that nourishes the body and the soul, right? It’s an act of service to prepare even the simplest of meals, but when you take the time to elevate them just a bit? It makes mealtime all the more meaninful.
But how do you do it? Here are five easy ways to elevate your home-cooked dishes.
#1 – Add fresh herbs
It’s all about focusing on fresh ingredients when it comes to creating culinary dishes in your own home. While dried herbs are still effective in providing flavor, getting fresh herbs straight from the plant adds a freshness to your dishes that can’t be replicated with dried herbs.
Think about what fresh herbs you could get from your local grocery store and start adding these into your dishes, too. One thing to remember when it comes to herbs is to always put in more than you think. Many of us are too skimpy when it comes to adding herbs. Always taste test after each amount you put in, until you get it just right.
#2 – Experiment with textures and different flavor combinations
Textures and different flavor combinations are important when it comes to creating your next favorite dish. Everyone is a little different, so what textures or flavor combinations you like might be a no-go for someone else.
Have fun in the kitchen and experiment with your cooking. If you have a meal at a friend or family member’s home that you love, ask for the recipe and try to make it yourself. Some of my family’s favorite meals have come from doing just that. My grandmother was known for asking chef’s for their recipes, too. I have quite a few she wrote down at restaurants.
#3 – Switch up your salt and pepper
Salt and pepper are essential to flavoring your food, but did you know the quality of your salt and pepper is important? I tend to stick to simple table salt, but if you’re looking to level up your flavor profiles, consider switching your salt and pepper up from the table kind to the rock salt or the whole peppercorns that you grind fresh. It can provide a more complex and intense flavor to your dishes and is worth trying out.
#4 – Don’t forget your condiments and marinades
Condiments play an important role in your dishes. Sauce is important, and whether it’s a BBQ seasoning or a mix of sauces that you want to add as a marinade to your meats, it’s good to always remember this as a stage in the process.
Make sure to always have sauces available for dishes, and try to make them from scratch whenever possible to pull out the most flavor and make the dish uniquely yours.
#5 – Plate everything up with professionalism
Just because you’re at home, doesn’t mean you can’t plate up food like you are serving the Chopped judges. Start taking those few extra moments when dishing up your food to dish it up in a special way. Take pride in what you’re serving up, whether it’s for yourself or your family or friends.
These easy tips can make a big difference in how your dishes look and, more importantly, how they taste, too.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links.
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