10 Cooking Tips You Need From Anne Burrell
Get ready to take your home cooking skills to the next level, because we're diving into the culinary world of celebrity chef Anne Burrell. This powerhouse culinary artist, whose signature hairstyle has gone from platinum blonde to pink and back, is a well-known chef and television personality. According to her website, AnneBurrell.com, the culinary expert has cooked in a fair share of prestigious kitchens, is an author, and is the vibrant host on multiple Food Network shows. From her impressive career as a chef to her many appearances on popular series like "Worst Cooks in America," Burrell is the ultimate source of inspiration for home cooks and professional chefs alike. Cooking is an art, and like any other art, it requires practice, patience, and a good teacher. Cue the chef!
If you are looking to step up your kitchen game, there are several helpful tips from the culinary goddess that you simply need to know and remember. Cooking can be overwhelming, especially for beginners, which makes having some help in the kitchen less intimidating. What makes Anne's cooking tips so special is that they're practical, accessible, and easy to implement. The straightforward approach helps demystify the kitchen and make cooking a fun and enjoyable experience. While some may seem obvious, they're all important to master to become a better cook. From novice to expert, become a better cook with these 10 tips from Anne Burrell you didn't know you needed.
Follow the directions
Cooking is not a game of chance, it's a science, and it's time to get serious. With so many tips and recipes out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start or what to do next. Even during the cooking process, it can become tense. Whether you pick a food to cook that you're familiar with or choose a recipe that's completely out of your wheelhouse, getting mixed up in all the steps and components is always a possibility. When this happens, don't succumb to the heat in the kitchen just yet. Chef Burrell has just the tip to get you through it.
For Burrell, it's all about bringing it back to the basics. "When I don't know how to do something or I don't know how to get somewhere, I find directions for it," the Food Network host told Mashed. "That's what a recipe is. It's a set of directions." Find your roadmap to culinary success and follow the directions as closely as possible. For best results, make sure to pay attention to cooking times and temperatures of the individual items. Don't just follow it blindly, use it as a guide from beginning to end. If at any moment you get mixed up during the cooking process, just pause for a moment, and refer back to the last step you left off at. By following the recipe, you become a better cook.
Invest in some cookbooks
If you're tired of scrolling on your phone for dinner ideas and recipes, then perhaps it's time to add some variety into your mealtime routine. The world wide web isn't the only source for finding the ultimate food inspiration. When you run out of ideas of what to make for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Burrell suggests turning the page. "Buy a couple of good, basic cookbooks — and have fun with it," Burrell told Fox News. Whether you're in the mood for comfort food or want to try something new and exotic, you're sure to find a recipe that suits your tastes.
Cookbooks are a treasure trove of recipes, tips, and culinary inspiration. In this digital age, it might seem like cookbooks are a thing of the past, but let us tell you, they are anything but obsolete. With a collection of cookbooks at your fingertips, you'll have a wealth of meal ideas to choose from, making it easier to plan and prepare dishes that are both delicious and nutritious. Not only will you learn how to cook new dishes, but you'll likely develop a deeper understanding of the cooking process, and become a more confident cook. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your culinary horizons, a collection of cookbooks is a must-have in a kitchen. They can also add personality and charm to your cooking space, and even become a cherished family heirloom passed down from generation to generation.
Don't forget to taste test
Want to take your cooking to the next level and become a kitchen master like Anne Burrell? Then take a tip from the professional chef and embrace the power of taste testing. "Taste as you go, read your recipes before you start, make sure you have all of your ingredients, and just relax," chef Burrell told Fox News. Taste testing may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised by how many cooks skip this important step.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, taste testing is crucial to ensuring that your dishes are both delicious and well-seasoned. By taking a small spoonful of your dish, you can determine if it needs more salt, pepper, or other seasonings to enhance its flavor. This is especially important for dishes that have multiple flavors, as you can ensure that each layer is in balance. Determining what your food tastes like helps you to also identify any culinary mishaps before it's too late. Maybe you accidentally added too much of a certain ingredient or didn't cook your dish long enough. You can catch these mistakes before serving your dish to family and friends, and make any necessary adjustments. For Anne, taste testing is fun! It's a chance to get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations. Plus, you get to enjoy a sneak preview of the delicious meal you're about to serve.
Make dinner fun
Just as tasting what you are making is fun, the entire cooking process should be equally enjoyable from start to finish. Dinner time shouldn't feel like it's a chore, even though the clean up could be considered tasking. When it comes to cooking, this culinary expert believes making any meal should be turned into a lively, entertaining affair for all. When discussing her cookbook, "Cook Like a Rock Star," with Channel Guide Magazine, Burrell shared, "Do it with your family! Do it on a date! Do it for yourself! My mission is to make the process of getting to dinner as fun as dinner."
Whether you're cooking with a partner, friends, or family, preparing a meal together can create a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Plus, it's a great excuse to catch up with each other's lives and enjoy each other's company. Even cooking alone could be an entertaining moment at home. You could switch up your menu, try new recipes, experiment with different cuisines, or try to make something from scratch. You could be following a recipe or coming up with your own dish — either way, cooking at home is a form of creativity. So, don't stress over burning a dish or forgetting to add the right amount of an ingredient. Enjoy the process and unwind. Don't forget to have fun with your presentation. Plating your dishes beautifully can make all the difference, and it's a great way to impress your dinner guests if you have any.
Select a tasty cooking oil
Are you tired of plain old garlic that just blends in with your dishes? Well, step aside garlic, and make way for infused garlic oil. This simple yet flavorful ingredient is a game-changer in the kitchen. Just make sure to store this ingredient in an airtight container in the refrigerator rather than in the pantry, as Burrell told Food and Wine, to avoid botulism risk.
Infused olive oil is different from regular cooking oil, like canola, avocado, or coconut varieties. Infused oil is combined with herbs, spices, and other flavorings. Whether you are sautéing vegetables, searing meat, or whipping up a dressing, infused oil adds a touch of flair and a burst of intense taste to the dish you are cooking. While you can certainly purchase a variety of garlic-infused oils at your local grocery, the celebrity chef may recommend using a high-quality extra virgin olive oil and lots of garlic to make your own. How much garlic you want to add is up to you. Simply chop the desired amount, add it to the oil, and let it infuse for a minimum of 30 minutes. You can use this oil to drizzle over roasted vegetables, pasta dishes, or even just a piece of crusty bread. In addition, you can use your infused garlic oil for sautéing protein or dressing salads. Flavored oil typically lasts about a month in the fridge, giving you plenty of time to experiment with different recipes.
Always salt your pasta water
One of the most important steps to cooking pasta correctly according to Burrell? The amount of salt in your pasta water. In a Food Network recipe, the chef writes about how adding a good amount of salt to the water is crucial. The main reason for adding the abundance of the seasoning is taste. Salt is what helps give the pasta flavor — otherwise, it's just bland.
Per Bon Appétit, you should use 4 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons of salt for every 4 quarts of water. The exact amount of the seasoning will depend on the type of salt you are cooking with. Brandwise, Bon Appétit recommends 2 tablespoons of Diamond or 4 teaspoons of Morton's, which is saltier than the former.
There are several types of salt to choose from, including sea, coarse, or table. The most preferred are sea salt, Kosher salt, and Himalayan salt over ordinary iodized. Sea salt is a popular choice due to its subtle flavor and crunchy texture. Kosher salt is the most preferred for its mild taste and ability to easily dissolve. While Himalayan pink salt is another versatile option that is perfect for cooking pasta, it is accompanied by a more unique taste. Next time you're in the kitchen, aggressively salt your pasta water to help bring out natural flavors in the delicious carb it was meant to be.
Smash your garlic
When it comes to cooking with raw garlic, Anne Burrell has a unique technique. No need for garlic presses as this chef smashes the garlic cloves before using them. In an interview with The Palm Beach Post, Burrell shared what she had learned about cooking with garlic and that is, "To smash garlic with your hand and perfume in the pan." Smashing the garlic cloves releases its flavorful oils, which in turn infuses the dish you are cooking with a rich, garlicky flavor. This technique enables you to get more of the garlic flavor into your dishes without overpowering the entire meal.
Smashing garlic is a simple technique that could have a big impact on your cooking game. Not just for taste but time, too. Breaking down the garlic in this fashion is easier than peeling and chopping it. There is no more struggling with stubborn garlic skins. Just simply smash the garlic clove with the palm of your hand, or flat side of a knife, and the skin will come right off. There are no additional utensils or cutlery required to learn this technique as you won't be mincing, chopping, or dicing. Once the garlic is good and pressed, simply place the smashed cloves into a warm skillet on the stovetop to mellow out the taste of raw garlic. You should continue cooking the cloves until they are warm and fragrant.
Set up your mise en place
When you're preparing a meal at home, there's nothing more frustrating than realizing you're missing an ingredient or that you need to chop vegetables in the middle of cooking. Streamline your cooking process just like Anne Burrell and get all your ingredients and supplies in a row. "Do all your prep work ahead of time before you start," Burrell suggested to Mashed. "Get all your cutting done, get all your measuring done, and then cooking becomes much [easier] and much less frantic [so] you're [not] like 'Oh my god, where's this?'" Burrell is a big proponent of the technique known as "mise en place." But what exactly is it and why is it so important in the kitchen?
According to Boston University Metropolitan College, it is a French term that literally translates to "putting in place." As the celebrity chef stated, this means preparing all your ingredients and equipment as well as arranging everything in the order that you will use it before you start cooking. With all of the components ready to go, you could focus on solely cooking the dish without worrying about running out of an ingredient or searching for a tool you need. This leads to a more efficient and enjoyable cooking experience and helps you move smoothly from one step to the next without any hiccups in your recipe. Reduce your stress in the kitchen by utilizing this pro tip next time you're cooking.
Use canned goods when you need
If you have ever tried cooking dried beans from scratch before, you know it could take hours. And even when they're done, they still may not be cooked correctly. Anne Burrell's cooking tip for perfectly cooked beans every time is simply to use canned beans. In a bean dip recipe Burrell shared via ABC News, she writes, "While I recommend cooking your own beans, popping open a can instead is totally acceptable in a pinch." Not only are canned beans a lifesaver for those days when you forget to soak them, but they also bring a whole host of benefits to your cooking game.
By using this pre-made ingredient, you don't have to worry about soaking, boiling, or monitoring your beans for hours on end. With canned beans, you simply open the can, drain, and rinse, and you're ready to add them to any recipe that you're making, from a quick salad to a hearty chili. Oftentimes, you can find canned varieties in a blend of spices and seasonings for even more added flavor. When it comes to beans, there are a lot to choose from, but there are a few varieties that every home cook should have on hand at all times. The most popular varieties include black beans, kidney, garbanzo, refried, lima, and baked beans. Each variety will have a different taste and texture, but all can be a great source of protein and fiber. Don't let the stigma of using canned beans hold you back from taking your cooking to the next level.
Learn proper knife skills
Working with some of the worst cooks in America, Anne Burrell is no stranger to aspiring cooks without adequate knife skills. Whether you are the type who doesn't know how to grip the tool or the kind that is clueless about the correct form, proper knife skills are essential to successful cooking experiences. The celebrity chef even dedicates time on her Food Network series to teaching bad cooks how to use knives properly. This skill is a vital component of cooking that any level of chef would be wise to sharpen — even you. Consider perfecting this culinary skill by regularly practicing your chopping skills. In turn, you'll become more efficient, confident, and consistent in the kitchen.
Anne believes that proper knife skills are the foundation of great cooking and her simple tip to help you achieve them is to begin with a decent knife, per Food Network. Dull knives will squash food rather than slice it, so make sure that you are using a very sharp knife when cooking. And, it is important to know the difference between dicing and chopping. For example, you may use a rough chop for hearty vegetables like carrots and potatoes, and a fine dice for delicate herbs and onions. By using the proper technique for each ingredient, you'll get the best results in your cooking. The best advice to get started is to chop, chop, chop.