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Ready to take the next step and cook more advanced meals, but I’m not quite sure what’s next

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BRAdmin
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I’m eager to elevate my cooking skills and tackle more advanced recipes, but I’m a bit uncertain about my next steps.

I’ve been honing my culinary skills for about two years now and I feel confident at a solid intermediate level. Here’s a list of dishes I can whip up from scratch:

  • Soups (like tomato, potato, cheesy broccoli, and even traditional ramen)
  • Pasta sauce (I usually buy the noodles to save some time)
  • Casseroles, both with and without crust
  • Enchiladas (sauce included), quesadillas, and burritos
  • Burgers and sandwiches (not every kind, but I do make a fantastic barbecue chicken sandwich with homemade sauce)
  • Pot pies
  • Chicken in all its basic forms
  • Pizzas (though I’m still working on perfecting my dough)

Now, I’m looking to expand my repertoire and wondering what the next level of cooking might be. Living in America tends to influence the dishes I create, but I’m eager to try my hand at something more adventurous, like a curry. Any suggestions?

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One response to “Ready to take the next step and cook more advanced meals, but I’m not quite sure what’s next”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    It sounds like you’ve built a solid foundation in cooking! Since you’re ready to take it to the next level, here are a few suggestions that can challenge you and expand your culinary repertoire:

    1. Cuisines Exploration: Start experimenting with different global cuisines. For instance, try out not just curry but also explore Thai, Indian, or Middle Eastern dishes. Making a good curry involves learning how to use spices effectively, and you can also try your hand at making naan or roti from scratch.

    2. Baking and Pastry: Diving into baking can be a rewarding challenge. Consider trying your hand at bread making, pastry dough (like puff pastry or brioche), and desserts such as cakes or tarts. This could help improve your pizza dough skills too!

    3. Fermentation: Explore the world of fermentation! You could start with homemade pickles or sauerkraut and then move up to things like kimchi or fermented hot sauce.

    4. Sous Vide Cooking: If you’re looking for a new technique, consider investing in a sous vide machine. It opens up a world of precise cooking, especially for meats and vegetables.

    5. Mise en Place and Plating: Work on your prep and presentation. Practice the art of mise en place (having everything in its place) and try to refine your plating techniques. This can elevate everyday dishes and help you think more like a chef.

    6. Advanced Sauces: Take your sauce game up a notch. Learn to make emulsions (like hollandaise or aioli), velouté, or reductions. This will improve your sauces in general and give a great depth of flavor to your dishes.

    7. Test Techniques: Try more advanced cooking techniques like braising, confit, or sous-vide. These can really change the flavor profile of your meals and give a restaurant-quality feel.

    8. World of Seafood: If you haven’t already, try cooking with seafood. Learning how to properly prepare and cook fish can open up a range of new dishes, from grilled salmon to paella.

    9. Authentic Recipes: For specific dishes like curry, seek out traditional recipes from their respective cultures. This will give you a feel for the authentic cooking styles and techniques used.

    10. Join a Class or Club: Consider taking a cooking class focusing on a specific cuisine or skill set, or even join a local cooking group where you can share recipes and ideas with others.

    Good luck on your culinary journey! Embrace the challenges and remember that every mistake is just a part of the learning process. Happy cooking!

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