I thought I'd start another thread to help those who are new to cooking or for anyone who wants to learn how to do some basic, and not-so-basic, cooking techniques. Post your tips, instructions or links to videos that teach some basic cooking skills or share some nifty tricks that you've learned in the kitchen.
Full Version: Cooking tips, tutorials and videos
I'll start here with a few good instructional videos that I found online:
How to whip cream
TIP: You can also use a stick/immersion blender to whip cream but you won't get as much volume. You will also need to keep a close eye on it because it will turn to butter in the blink of an eye.
How to beat egg whites
What is folding and how do you do it?
How to julienne veggies
How to whip cream
TIP: You can also use a stick/immersion blender to whip cream but you won't get as much volume. You will also need to keep a close eye on it because it will turn to butter in the blink of an eye.
How to beat egg whites
What is folding and how do you do it?
How to julienne veggies
WORKING WITH XANTHAN GUM
A little xanthan gum works great to thicken sauces and puddings, but can turn gummy if not added properly. What works best for me is to put what I need in a measuring spoon and with one hand very lightly sprinkle it over the surface of my sauce while briskly whisking it in with my other hand. I add it as gradually as I can. Ideally, sprinkling it from a shaker jar would be the best way to go, but I have to measure mine when I'm testing recipes. Xanthan gum is more likely to clump if you add it too quickly to liquids. I've had very good luck sprinkling it a bit more liberally over the surface of more solid foods like chili or stir-fries. I find that I don't need to be quite as careful in those cases.
If your recipe doesn't call for xanthan gum, and you'd like to add a little, start with only 1/8 teaspoon then wait a minute or so to see the results before adding more an 1/8 teaspoon at a time. As far as cleanup goes, you don't want to rinse your measuring spoon with water. You'll end up with sticky slime that's very difficult to clean off the spoon as well as your hands. Instead, take a dry Kleenex or napkin and brush the powder off the spoon.
A little xanthan gum works great to thicken sauces and puddings, but can turn gummy if not added properly. What works best for me is to put what I need in a measuring spoon and with one hand very lightly sprinkle it over the surface of my sauce while briskly whisking it in with my other hand. I add it as gradually as I can. Ideally, sprinkling it from a shaker jar would be the best way to go, but I have to measure mine when I'm testing recipes. Xanthan gum is more likely to clump if you add it too quickly to liquids. I've had very good luck sprinkling it a bit more liberally over the surface of more solid foods like chili or stir-fries. I find that I don't need to be quite as careful in those cases.
If your recipe doesn't call for xanthan gum, and you'd like to add a little, start with only 1/8 teaspoon then wait a minute or so to see the results before adding more an 1/8 teaspoon at a time. As far as cleanup goes, you don't want to rinse your measuring spoon with water. You'll end up with sticky slime that's very difficult to clean off the spoon as well as your hands. Instead, take a dry Kleenex or napkin and brush the powder off the spoon.
Linda, you ROCK! I love ppl who consider the "gaps" in knowledge, b/c I'm the novice cook who'd stumble on the technical stuff. I need each and every how-to on this thread! I also check your website every week when planning the following week's meals.
My mother is diabetic, mostly bedridden due to her weight, currently undergoing physical therapy to get up and moving again, and finally healing from ulcers on her legs. Her left leg is healed, and her right leg is making good progress. Maybe in a couple of months, her leg will be completely healed. I've been feeding her lots of low carb meals since having access to so many great recipes, and she's actually been liking them. When her doctor clears her for a proper weight loss diet (after her leg has healed), she's going to join me in Low Carb City. I'm trying to ease her into it to avoid resistance. She's already done fairly decent w/ the foods I've been feeding her. A few days this week, I had her cut her nightly Lantus dosage b/c unbeknownst to her, she had eaten a low carb dinner, and I didn't want her sugar to dip in the middle of the night.
Thank you, Linda! I appreciate you.
My mother is diabetic, mostly bedridden due to her weight, currently undergoing physical therapy to get up and moving again, and finally healing from ulcers on her legs. Her left leg is healed, and her right leg is making good progress. Maybe in a couple of months, her leg will be completely healed. I've been feeding her lots of low carb meals since having access to so many great recipes, and she's actually been liking them. When her doctor clears her for a proper weight loss diet (after her leg has healed), she's going to join me in Low Carb City. I'm trying to ease her into it to avoid resistance. She's already done fairly decent w/ the foods I've been feeding her. A few days this week, I had her cut her nightly Lantus dosage b/c unbeknownst to her, she had eaten a low carb dinner, and I didn't want her sugar to dip in the middle of the night.
Thank you, Linda! I appreciate you.
GREAT tips! I can never get my whipped cream with Splenda to come out right. Either too thick or too runny. 
I wish your mother all the best, Fitlanta. That's great that you've been helping her transition to low carb.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.
