Cooking is done by many people on many levels. Amateur cooks make dishes at home for friends and loved ones. Professional cooks make meals in restaurants for customers and high status people. No matter what level you cook at or for who, the tips in this article should help you.

It is important to know that the smaller the item, the longer it takes to cook. Many people think that smaller items do not take long to cook, therefore the item does not cook thoroughly. Usually, larger items do not take as long to cook and because people think they do, these items get burnt.

If you’re cooking with cast-iron pots and pans – never clean with soap, unless you want to lose its non-stick properties! Instead, use a paste of salt and water to scour the pan, if needed, or boil some water in the pot or pan to loosen stuck-on foods. Remove the remaining residue with a paper towel, and rub on a thin layer of oil before storing.

You can avoid sticky rice by removing the starch. To do just that wash the rice several times until the water coming from the rice is crystal clear. Remove all the water, and let the rice sit for 20 minutes. Adding a few drops of lemon to the water before cooking also helps to separate the grains.

Most fresh vegetables should be purchased as close to serving time as possible, so that you eat them at their peak and get the most nutritional value and flavor. There are a few fresh vegetables, like carrots, onions and potatoes that will last at least a month if refrigerated or in a dark, dry area.

If you are making meatloaf or meatballs it is a good idea to test a small piece before you make the rest of it. Make a little piece and fry it in a frying pan. Then you can taste it, see if it needs any more seasoning. It is a small thing to do that will go a long way to making a better tasting meal.

When you are cooking pumpkin seeds, first, cover the raw seeds in melted butter, olive or vegetable oil. Then spread them out evenly across a cookie sheet and sprinkle them with your favorite seasonings. Bake the seeds at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about forty-five minutes or until golden brown.

Pomegranates are a superfood, but they can be super un-fun to peel. To make it easier, put the pomegranate portions into a bowl of water and gently separate the juicy seeds. The white pith will float to the top and the seeds will sink to the bottom. Collect the floating pith, discard it, and strain the water to be left with a bowlful of delicious seeds!

As stated before, people cook on many levels. Amateurs cook at home for family and friends, while professionals cook in restaurants for customers and important people. Using the tips from this article, you can be able to cook at your best, no matter what your level is or your audience.