Restaurant food is bad for you!
Yes! We all know that! But, that doesn’t stop educated and fully aware people from heading for the newest restaurant in town or ordering takeaway for the weekend.
The fact is that we need the gourmet meal experience from time to time! After all, home food does get boring.
Then there are the consumers who are so busy keeping up with personal and work commitments that the next alternative to cooking at home is ordering prepared meals delivered at home.
Is This Just an American Phenomenon?
Actually, no! Results of a worldwide survey conducted by Marketwatch show that 45% of global consumers prefer to order ready meals since they don’t have the time to cook. And, another 31% find that ordering out is more economical to cooking at home thanks to the rising prices of the ingredients. We also have a13% niche of consumers who live alone and simply don’t find shopping and cooking worth the time and effort.
All the same, that doesn’t change the fact that restaurant and takeaway food has a higher level of fat, sugar, cholesterol, salt, and other undesirable elements. In recent times, studies have shown that the packaging materials used in your delivered food contain Phthalates that can cause several serious health issues.
That’s one more reason to quit eating out and cook your own meals at home.
What if You Could Create the Gourmet Meal Experience in Your Kitchen?
Like expert chefs reveal, they have several secret cooking methods and ingredients that make restaurant food taste way better than home-cooked food. And, if you’re looking to recreate the gourmet meal experience, you only have to follow their tips. The best way to get started is to get hold of the right elements – in the right proportions. You now have companies like Meal Prep Delivery that bring you boxes of all the exotic items you need for every special dish, carefully measured out in the right quantities.
You’ll also find them individually packaged in reusable wooden or glass mason jars and containers that the company later collects from your home. In addition, you’ll receive recipe cards that you can save for later. Now, all that remains is preparing and plating the meal exactly as the recipe describes. And, you’ll have your family relishing each bite. Of course, you can also add to the gourmet meal experience with a few candles, pretty tablecloth, soft music, and some flowers.
Ummm…What Were Those Cooking Tips We Mentioned Again?
You’ll be surprised!
Read ahead for some of the simplest of techniques that world-class cooks use that change the way the food tastes and turns it into a gourmet meal experience. Let’s begin with these ideas from Food Hacks.
1. Use Butter in Place of Cooking Oils
As compared to most cooking oils, butter has a higher smoking point. In addition, it lends creaminess to the food you cook. You’ll find that butter can bring out the sweetness and flavoring in the vegetables you sauté and adds richness to the simplest of sauces. But, is it healthy? New studies say that it is dense in calories and can keep you satiated for longer because it takes longer to digest. Opt for low-fat grass-fed dairy butter, and you’re good to go.
2. Focus on Using the Freshest of Spices and Herbs
The longer the spices and dried herbs sit on your kitchen shelves, the more flavor they’ll lose. The trick is to keep checking the dates of the jars and getting fresh portions regularly. If you intend to cook a lot, you could also consider getting fresh herbs that can make each dish taste amazingly good. Another secret is to know the right time to add the herbs. For instance, add rosemary and thyme in the earlier stages in the cooking process, but if you’re using basil, cilantro, or parsley, use them just before the plating.
3. Use More of Shallots
Like the chefs on The Daily Meal advise, adding diced shallots in your dishes can give them that restaurant-like edge. Sauté and incorporate them in the dish in the initial cooking steps for a lovely depth to the taste. You can safely add them to just about any savory dish and turn it into a gourmet meal experience.
4. Prep the Ingredients Carefully
Professional chefs are well-trained in how to chop and prep the vegetables and other ingredients. For instance, they’ll take care that all the pieces are evenly cut for a smoother presentation with better visual appeal. If you’re using tomatoes, take care to add the seeds and pulp that contain all the taste. Unless the recipe tells you remove them to avoid making the dish too runny, you can safely add them in.
5. Cook Meats and Vegetables at High Heat
Like this feature in LifeHacker describes, the moment you drop the vegetables or meat in the pain, the temperature will drop by a degree or two. For this reason, you may want to wait until the pan heats up well. Check if the oil is simmering or you see a slight wisp arising from the pan. The same rule applies for ovens too. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees or higher. This simple trick will give the dish a deep brown mouthwatering crust and cook the meat quickly.
Rely on the Gourmet Meal Prep Box You Receive
While these tips and tricks are just what you need for the gourmet meal experience, you can add the ideas you get from the recipe card in the Meal Prep Delivery box you receive. The recipe will give you some additional tips like letting the meat rest for some time before you start to carve it and using adequate amounts of salt and sugar for seasoning. Follow the directions to a tee and you’re sorted.
A final tip before we sign off! It’s all about the presentation. Put your heart and soul into the plating.
Bon Appétit!
