People who work in the food industry sometimes say that cooking is an art and baking is a science. When a person is cooking, he or she can add or omit recipe ingredients according to personal preference. With baking, however, exact amounts of ingredients must be used and certain methods should be followed. If you’ve been looking for a way to improve your baking skills, here are four ways to step up your game.
1. Read Cookbooks
Some of the best recipes for baked goods have been contained in the pages of cookbooks for many years. Whether you’re looking for a new variation on cream puffs or seeking advice on how to properly prepare an apple-walnut bread, there’s a good chance that the information can be found in a cookbook. Cookbooks are great because they give you step-by-step instructions. That means if you follow them exactly, you should be able to create a masterpiece!
2. Watch Television Cooking Shows
A broad spectrum of cooking programs are regularly aired on lots of different television networks. Check the TV listings to see when shows devoted to baking are scheduled. Most of the instructional baking shows that are aired on television are taught by very qualified instructors. You can also record shows that are dedicated to baking or look them up online. That way you can pause, rewind, and fast-forward as needed. You never have to miss a step again.
3. Enroll In A Baking Class
Nothing beats hands-on experience when it comes to stepping up your baking skills. There are all sorts of baking classes offered at community colleges, local cooking schools, culinary schools, local night school programs, and even at supermarkets. When you decide to further your baking knowledge, you can usually find classes that fit into your schedule. There is definitely no better way to learn something than to get hands-on experience. Also, by taking classes, you can learn tips and tricks from a professional baker. Those are things that you may not be able to learn anywhere else. Taking classes is definitely worth the time and money.
In addition to learning more about baking techniques, you will probably be learning about the science of baking. There are many things to learn about temperatures, measuring, and even common uses for sodium bicarbonate. More commonly known as baking soda, sodium bicarbonate is a chemical agent that causes cake batters to delightfully rise when they are baked. Sodium bicarbonate is also useful for soothing upset stomachs and treating some allergic reactions. This product also works great as a refrigerator deodorizer. Simply place a box of baking soda on a shelf in your refrigerator and it will help to absorb any unpleasant odors that may be present.
4. Research Baking Recipes And Techniques Online
There are many Internet websites that provide excellent content related to improving one’s baking skills. Plenty of recipes and baking tips are offered, and video baking tutorials are often available. You can also find basic tips and tricks to help your food turn out even better! You can learn things like how to make your bread fluffier or how to make your brownies not stick to the pan. The internet is home to a ton of really great resources, all you have to do is look for them.
No matter how long you’ve been baking, there are always lots of new recipes, tips, and techniques that you can learn. Baking isn’t always easy, but it definitely can be a ton of fun for you and your whole family.
With this information, you will be baking better bread in no time! Check out more kitchen hacks with 55 Special Uses For Baking Soda You Never Knew.
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