We have to admit that most of us love going out for a fancy meal instead of having to cook for ourselves at home. But what about those times where you either can’t afford to eat out at a restaurant or you’d just be more comfortable eating at home? Luckily, there are ways to make restaurant-quality food at home that do not break the bank if you’re willing to put in just a little time and effort! Let’s take a look at some of our top ways to turn that home cooked meal into one that would be served at a fancy restaurant.
Buy Quality Ingredients
There’s really no getting around the fact that buying fresh, quality ingredients is one of the best ways to bring that 4 or 5 star restaurant experience home. Of course, you can still find high quality ingredients on sale if you shop around, so do your research on current offers before buying if you’re looking to save some money!
Chef Jordan Grosser tells RealSimple.com why buying quality ingredients can truly make all the difference in the world in achieving that restaurant-quality meal:
“When asked for his top tip for making restaurant-quality meals at home, Grosser doesn’t hesitate. “The simple answer is buy good ingredients, which might be what you hear constantly, but it makes a huge difference,” he says. High quality, organic produce, fats, and seasonings can transform even the most basic dishes into menu-worthy meals.”
Get the Right Equipment
Investing in a few great tools that will last you for years to come is another essential part of creating those high-quality, restaurant-style meals. Luckily, purchasing some excellent cooking tools doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, with a range of affordable options out there.
How Stuff Works Recipes explains how you can purchase the basics that you need to cook high-quality meals without breaking the bank:
“You need good tools to build a good meal. Every chef worth his or her salt knows there are certain tools one can’t live without. Here are the basics for a functional kitchen. Remember, you don’t need to buy all top-of-the-line equipment for your kitchen. However, one thing you should splurge for is a good knife. The right knife will last you many years. Choose a stainless steel chef’s knife that fits your grip well and won’t rust.”
Cook With High Heat
While cooking with high heat can be a little intimidating, it can also be incredibly helpful in creating high-quality meals. Of course, cooking with high heat does not apply to every type of food out there, but can be a great tool in altering texture.
Wonder How-To Food Hacks tells us more about why cooking with high heat can be highly beneficial to the end result of your meal:
“Some people are uncomfortable cooking at high temperatures, but a steak won’t sear on medium heat, and vegetables just turn to mush if you don’t cook them fast enough. Obviously you don’t want to turn up the heat on everything, but you shouldn’t be afraid to use it when you need to. So how do you know when to cook on low, medium or high? Consider the texture you’re going for. High heat cooks the outside much faster than the inside, so if you want a roast to be super tender, low and slow is best. But if you want a deep brown crust, hotter is better.”
Of course, not everyone wants to cook a restaurant-quality meal at home – and that’s perfectly okay! If you’re looking for more recipe inspiration or you want to see where you can enjoy a top-quality meal at your favorite restaurant, check out our list of all restaurants to compare food menus.
