• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Home Jobs by MOM

Home Jobs by MOM

Insights. Ideas. Improvements.

  • Lifestyle Insights
  • Business Ideas
    • Online Tools for Bloggers
  • Improving Family Life
  • Contact

7 Cooking Skills To Master in 2020

You are here: Home / Food / 7 Cooking Skills To Master in 2020

THIS WEBSITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS WHICH MEANS WE RECEIVE COMPENSATION IF YOU PURCHASE A PRODUCT THROUGH THEM. VISIT OUR DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

October 18, 2019 by Home Jobs By Mom
Pin47
Tweet
Share1
48 Shares

7 Cooking Skills To Master in 2020

You don't have to be a culinary genius to whip up meals that aren't just edible but are, in fact, delicious. You simply need to look up recipes and master a few cooking skills.

If you're getting to the point where Ramen, Hot Pockets and take-out no longer sound appealing, it's time to step up and dedicate a few hours of your time to mastering some legitimate cooking skills.

Must-Know Cooking Skills

Cooking doesn't have to be difficult, and for those who have taken the time to learn a few tricks of the trade, it's not. If you want to get to the point where being in the kitchen is actually enjoyable, read on for the seven cooking skills to master in 2020.

Making Pan Sauces

Chicken cacciatore, steak with creamy mushroom sauce, carne asada with chimichurri … For many, these are meals reserved for restaurant visits, but for you, they can be quick and easy recipes you whip up to impress guests.

Thrillist suggests mastering at least three pan sauces to bring your meals to the next level. The great thing about pan sauces (other than that they're delicious) is that you can make the most from ingredients you already have in your fridge or pantry.

White wine, herbs, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon, and butter are all common ingredients found in these sauces.

Learning How to Handle a Knife

Sure, you can buy premade sauces, precut veggies, and pre-cut meats, but if you do, you're not really cooking. Learn how to hold a knife in such a way that it won't result in a lost appendage or two. Then, begin chopping.

You'll be slow at first, but after dicing a couple of onions, some broccoli, and carrots, you'll be on par with the pros.

Do Pasta Right


You think you know how to cook noodles, but chances are, you don't. If you want your pasta to taste like your favorite dish from your favorite restaurant, you need four ingredients: salt, butter, pasta water, and finesse.

First and foremost, your pasta water should be as salty as the ocean. You might bleh at using such an obscene amount of salt but don't, as excess salt is what flavors your noodles.

Once your noodles are done cooking, save the water. All the starches that fell off the noodles into the water will make your sauce naturally creamier, and it'll help the sauce bind to the pasta.

If your sauce's level of creaminess still isn't up to your satisfaction after adding some pasta water to it, throw in some butter. Extra butter never made anything worse.

Salt Your Food

Salt gets a bad rap, but the truth is, salt is key for locking in flavor. Properly “season” your food throughout the entire cooking process, not just the end. This is especially important for big chunks of meat you hope to develop that flavorful golden crust you so love.

And a few more cooking skills…

Thicken Your Sauces


The ideal consistency for sauces is “nappant,” which means “coating.” Ideally, your sauce should coat your food. If your sauce is too runny, it likely won't have a lot of flavor.

Fortunately, you can undo the damage by using one of two simple methods:

1) using a cornstarch slurry

2) reduce.

For method number one, mix equal parts of cornstarch with cold water. You'll want approximately one tablespoon of slurry per cup you wish to reduce. Slowly drizzle the slurry into your sauce and whisk it until it bubbles. This is the point at which the thickening agents become activated.

If a majority of your sauce is comprised of animal stock, simply let your sauce simmer for longer. Over time, the natural gelatin in the stock will cause the sauce to thicken.

Make Chicken Cutlets

Chicken cutlets are basically healthy chicken tenders for adults, and they're super easy to make. To accomplish this quick and easy meal, you'll need to do four things:

1) Season your chicken

2) Coat it in flower

3) Dip it in eggs

4) Dip it in breadcrumbs.

Pop the cutlets in the oven or fry them on the stove for crispy yet tender cutlets.

One more cooking skill you should know…

Roasting Vegetables

Steaming vegetables is easy, but, let's face it, the finished product is tasteless. For flavorful vegetables that still have nutritious value, roast them in the oven. Coat your chosen veggies in olive oil, add some seasoning, throw them on a sheet pan, and cook for about 20 minutes at 425 degrees.

7 Cooking Skills To Master in 2020

By mastering just these seven cooking skills this year, you can make meals you'll actually want to eat. These skills are easy to acquire and will stick with your forever.

Related Posts:

  • How to Easy Meal Prep Meals in Advance
    How to Easy Meal Prep Meals in Advance
  • Cooking for One: How to Make it Easier, Faster, and More Affordable
    Cooking for One: How to Make it Easier, Faster, and More…
  • kitchen tips, kitchen tips and tricks, kitchen tips cooking hacks, kitchen tips tricks
    5 Tips To Up Your Game In The Kitchen
  • 4 Cultural Dishes to Spice Up Your At-Home Cooking Repertoire
    4 Cultural Dishes to Spice Up Your At-Home Cooking…
  • How to Cook as a Student: Tips and Tricks
    How to Cook as a Student: Tips and Tricks
  • Make Money From Doing What You Love
    Make Money From Doing What You Love
  • Simplify Cooking With a Connected Kitchen
    Simplify Cooking With a Connected Kitchen
  • raspberry tartlet recipe
    Incorporating Creativity Into Your Cooking (Plus a Recipe…
Pin47
Tweet
Share1
48 Shares
Category: FoodTag: cooking, cooking skills

About Home Jobs By Mom

Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.

Previous Post:Common Industrial and Commercial Sump PumpsCommon Industrial and Commercial Sump Pumps
Next Post:What Documents to Shred to Protect Your Identityshredding documents

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah L

    October 22, 2019 at 9:47 pm

    Very good skills to have in the kitchen. After cooking for 50 years I’ve mastered most of these.

    Reply
    • Home Jobs By Mom

      November 7, 2019 at 4:01 pm

      I bet you are an awesome cook

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Welcome!

Get a look into a mom’s inkling into this crazy thing called life.

Read More

Recent Posts

  • 6 Tips To Improve Your Confidence In Virtual Meetings
  • How to Increase Productivity in Your Remote Workforce
  • Why Is Reading Important? 10 Reasons to Develop This Skill
  • How To Locate the Best AC Repair Service
  • The Role of Mathematics in IB Chemistry: Key Skills and Problem-Solving Strategies
  • Stay Fortified This Fall With @SuperiorSource Giveaway (Ends 10/25) @thestuffofsuccess
  • 6 Tips for Choosing the Best E-Liquid Flavor
  • How Delta 9 Can Elevate Your Lifestyle
  • 7 Tips for Picking the Best Delta 8 Carts for YOU
  • A Simple Guide to Creating a Home Office Space from Scratch

Stay Fortified This Fall With @SuperiorSource Giveaway (Ends 10/25) @thestuffofsuccess

@SuperiorSource ‘Stay Fortified This Fall Season’ Giveaway (Ends 10/23) @PinkNinjaBlogg @DeliciouslySavv

@PeachSkinSheets ‘Getting Cozy For Fall’ Giveaway (Ends 10/31)

ULTIMATE #BusyBaby Bundle Giveaway (Ends 10/31)

Keika Naturals Skincare Giveaway (Ends 10/15)

@MomentAtHome Candles Fall Giveaway (Ends 10/27) @DeliciouslySavv

PAW PATROL ‘All Paws On Deck’ DVD Giveaway (Ends 10/3) @PinkNinjaBlogg @DeliciouslySavv @ParamountMovies @Nickelodeon

$150 Amazon eGift Card or PayPal Cash Giveaway (Ends 10/15) #FallGiveaway @Versatileer

Enter More Giveaways!

Free Download

“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”

Productivity-Planner-Preview
Download the FREE Colorable Productivity Planner to get your life more organized. Sign up as a newsletter insider today!
Be a Better You!

  • 6 Tips To Improve Your Confidence In Virtual Meetings
  • How to Increase Productivity in Your Remote Workforce
  • Why Is Reading Important? 10 Reasons to Develop This Skill
  • How To Locate the Best AC Repair Service
  • The Role of Mathematics in IB Chemistry: Key Skills and Problem-Solving Strategies
  • About Home Jobs By Mom
  • Terms & Privacy
  • Contact
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Home Jobs by MOM · All Rights Reserved

This website uses affiliate links which means we receive compensation if you purchase a product through them. Visit our disclosure page for more information.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
SettingsAccept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT