The Careful Cook - Before You Begin

The most important thing you need to know before you start is how to be a careful cook. On the following page, you’ll find a few rules that will make your cooking experience safe, fun, and easy. Since the international dishes in this article make use of some ingredients you may not know, be sure to read through the “dictionary” of utensils, cooking terms, and special ingredients. You may also want to read the list of tips on preparing healthy, low-fat meals.

When you’ve picked out a recipe to try, read through it from beginning to end. Now you are ready to shop for ingredients and to organize the cookware you will need. Once you have assembled everything, you’re ready to begin cooking.


The Careful Cook Rules

1. Always wash your hands before handling food. Thoroughly wash all raw vegetables and fruits to remove dirt, chemicals, and insecticides. Wash uncooked poultry, fish, and meat under cold water.

2. Use a cutting board when cutting up vegetables and fruits. Don’t cut them up in your hand! And be sure to cut in a direction away from you and your fingers.

3. Long hair or loose clothing can easily catch fire if brought near the burners of a stove. If you have long hair, tie it back before you start cooking.

4. Turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove so that you will not catch your sleeves or jewelry on them. This is especially important when younger brothers and sisters are around. They could easily knock off a pot and get burned.

5. Always use a pot holder to steady hot pots or to take pans out of the oven. Don’t use a wet cloth on a hot pan because the steam it produces could burn you.

6. Lift the lid of a steaming pot with the opening away from you so that you will not get burned.

7. If you get burned, hold the burn under cold running water. Do not put grease or butter on it. Cold water helps to take the heat out, but grease or butter will only keep it in.

8. If grease or cooking oil catches fire, throw baking soda or salt at the bottom of the flame to put it out. (Water will not put out a grease fire.) Call for help, and try to turn all the stove burners to “off.”

This tips was publish in 'Holiday Cooking Around The World' on (Page 15 and 16).