How To Master 5 Basic Cooking Skills | Gordon Ramsay

Summary

This instructional video offers a detailed guide on various cooking techniques. It begins with chopping onions without tears by cutting close to the root and using proper knife grip. The video then transitions to cooking Basmati rice, emphasizing the importance of rinsing and using the right water-to-rice ratio for fluffy texture. It also includes seasoning with cardamom and star anise for added flavor. Next, it demonstrates filleting a salmon, highlighting the importance of a sharp knife and the technique for removing skin and pin bones. The video concludes with tips on sharpening knives and cooking pasta al dente, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking.

Takeaways

• 🧅 To prevent an onion from making you cry, leave the root intact until you've made the initial cut.
• 🔪 Use the weight of the knife to slice the onion, with three fingers guiding it for safety.
• 🍚 Basmati rice is considered the king of rice for its light and fluffy texture.
• 💧 Rinsing rice under cold water before cooking prevents it from becoming clumpy.
• 🌿 Add cardamom pods and star anise to the rice for extra flavor and fragrance.
• 🥄 Season the rice while it's cooking to ensure even distribution of flavor.
• 💧 Use a ratio of one part rice to one and a half parts water for cooking.
• 🕒 Let the rice steam without lifting the lid to ensure it cooks evenly.
• 🍣 Use a sharp knife and a gentle technique to skin a salmon fillet.
• ✂️ Use tweezers to remove pin bones from the salmon after the skin is removed.
• 🗡️ Sharpen your knife before each use to ensure efficiency and safety in the kitchen.
• 🍝 Cook pasta in a large pot of well-salted, boiling water with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking.
• 📏 Test pasta for doneness by feeling for a firm yet not crunchy texture, known as 'al dente'.

Q & A

Why is it important to leave the root on when chopping an onion?

Leaving the root on prevents the onion from 'bleeding' and reduces the release of sulfur compounds that cause tearing.

What is the recommended technique for slicing an onion without crying?

Use a sharp knife and let the weight of the knife do the work, slicing rapidly with three fingers guiding the knife close to the root.

How should you hold the onion while chopping to prevent tears?

Hold the onion like a tennis ball, gripping it together with your fingers and using the weight of the blade to cut through.

What is the key to cooking Basmati rice perfectly?

Use 400 grams of rice, rinse it with cold water to prevent clumping, and cook it with one part rice to one and a half parts water.

What spices are suggested to enhance the flavor of Basmati rice?

Three cardamom pods and whole star anise are recommended for adding a fragrant aroma to the rice.

How long should Basmati rice simmer after it comes to a boil?

Basmati rice should simmer for eight to ten minutes after reaching a boil.

Why is it important not to lift the lid while cooking rice?

Not lifting the lid allows the rice to steam and cook evenly without releasing the heat and moisture needed for proper cooking.

How do you remove the skin from a fillet of salmon?

Use a sharp knife to make a cut at the tail, lift the skin, and then slice the salmon away from the skin while pulling it towards you.

What tool can be used to remove pin bones from a salmon fillet?

Fish tweezers or normal tweezers can be used to locate and pull out the pin bones from the salmon fillet.

Why is it crucial to keep a knife sharp in the kitchen?

A sharp knife is safer and more efficient to use, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring precise cuts.

How should you hold a knife when sharpening it on a steel?

Hold the knife at a 45-degree angle with a confident grip, ensuring your fingers are behind the steel to avoid injury.

What is the recommended method for cooking pasta to achieve al dente texture?

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking, and test for doneness by feeling for a firm but not crunchy texture.