I’m guessing that if you’re reading my book, you’re not a professional chef. This means that, like me, you sometimes find yourself stumped in the kitchen and in need of help. But that’s the fun of cooking: spending time in the kitchen means that we are constantly learning and developing our kitchen skills. It’s like doing homework – but fun, interesting homework!
When you need to solve a problem in the kitchen, the internet is your friend. If you are unsure about an ingredient, do a quick search online: there are probably a million other people who have searched for the exact same thing! I regularly search for alternative ingredients: Can I swap fresh tomatoes for tinned tomatoes? Do I have to use white wine or will something else do? This works in two ways: you will find great ideas for healthy alternatives; and, if a particular ingredient is missing from your larder, you’ll still figure out a way to make dinner.
Online videos are a great way to build your cooking skills, especially if you’re unsure what to do with a specific ingredient. You might not know how to prepare kale or get the seeds out of a pomegranate. You might not know which end is up with an avocado. You might never have heard of a bouquet garni. None of that matters! Just read and watch and learn as you go.
We are blessed in the internet age. Food websites and blogs can be full of good ideas. When I come across a new recipe online, I tend to look at the reviews from other people who’ve made the dish. This helps me to quickly decide whether or not it’s worth my time to explore further. Some of my favourite websites include www.thekitchn.com and www.bbcgoodfood.com.
The people who produce and/or sell food are the experts in how to use it. Make sure that you get out there and talk to the experts. If you’re unsure about which cut of meat to use in a particular recipe, chat with your butcher. If you don’t know how to prepare fish, ask your fishmonger for help. If you see beautifully fresh vegetables in the greengrocer’s or at a farmers’ market but you don’t know how you’d cook them, talk to the people selling. The answers are out there, so don’t be afraid to ask.