For some people cooking is a chore while others enjoy it. If you were on our side of the spectrum you would agree that spending time in the kitchen can be pretty relaxing at sometimes. Of course, one of the biggest factors that can influence it is if you are short on time or you are simply enjoying yourself and not in the rush to prepare that wonderful Sunday lunch. A great thing about cooking is that you can always switch up and change your existing routine, try out something new, and let your thoughts roam free. And though some people strictly follow the recipes, others enjoy using the same as a guide but adding their own kick in the process.
Now, as of cooking skills, there are a few things you should master in order to handle any type of dish – grilling, frying, steaming, baking, and boiling. And though some people completely disregard or forget boiling it is an important technique that can help you provide wonderful and healthy plates. For some dishes, it is necessary to boil (rice, pasta, vegetables) while for example, meat doesn’t have to be boiled (it can be grilled or baked instead) but there are benefits to it. Some studies suggest that light boiling is a much better option if you want to save all the compounds that food you are preparing contains. Without further a due let’s take a look at some of the boiling tips and great boiling recipes that you can come up with!
Become A Master Boiling Cook
- Boil A Perfect Rice. Rice is incredibly healthy food and whether it is white or brown you will have multiple benefits of eating it on a regular basis. It is a staple in Asian dishes and is becoming pretty popular in Western ones as well. Whether you are making an incredible risotto or have something else in mind you need to know how to boil the perfect rice. First and foremost, you should add 100gr of butter to a saucepan and let it melt on low heat. After that wash 500gr of rice and fry it along for 3-4 minutes, adding a tsp of salt and stirring well so that it all combines. Once that is done, it is time to add water – on 500gr of rice, 750ml of liquid will be just fine. Close the lid and let it simmer on minimal heat for the next 30 minutes. Add desired spices and serve as a side dish.
- Boil Delicious Shrimps. Now, shrimps are delicious seafood and if you know to prepare them the right away everything will be a piece of cake. First and foremost, you should bring few liters of water to a boil (3l in this case) adding desired ingredients in the process. Our recommendation is to add some salt, peppercorns and bay leaves. After you bring it to a boil, add 850gr or a bit more of frozen shrimps, add some lemon juice and boil for 3-4 more minutes. Drain your beautiful seafood and serve the dish. Preparing a sauce to dip your shrimps in is always a good option.
- Boil Perfect Chicken Thighs. People prefer grilling or baking chicken thighs but believe us boiling can be as delicious. Bring 2.5l of salted water to a boil and then add a kilogram of chicken thighs (4 medium thighs). Once that is done add the desired ingredients – one whole onion, carrot, few peppercorns, some bay leaves, and a tsp of salt. You don’t need to chop anything as these are just needed for flavor. Boil with a closed lid for 30 more minutes, and then let it sit for 15 additional minutes once the cooking is done. Once it is nice and pale, remove the chicken and serve it with the rest of your plate!
- Perfect Boiled Dumplings Dish. If prepared the right way dumplings are a dish to enjoy. And it is all in the boiling. Prepare 3.5l of water, add the desired salt and bring it to a boil. Once that is done add about a kilogram of homemade dumplings (we recommend the Jamaican-styled ones) and boil until all reach the surface. Serve it with a homemade sauce as the main or a side dish.
- Revitalizing Ginger Tea. Ginger root is one of the known superfoods and if you don’t like eating it by slice you can make a great tea out of it. Bring few liters of water to a boil, and add the sliced ginger roots (depending on how strong you want your tea to be) to the water mixture. Add some lemon juice and optional peppercorns and let it boil for 30 minutes, or simmer for 2/3 hours. Once that is has cooled off, add some honey and enjoy this revitalizing drink a few times a day!
Summary
As you can see boiling is an important technique that covers meat dishes, vegetables, and grains – long story short without boiling most of the dishes wouldn’t be as good and tasty. That is why mastering it is one of the most important things if you want to become an A-rated cook. Following the few recipes and tips mentioned above, practice your routine and don’t forget to enjoy the process!