Category: Culinary News

Taco Cabana’s Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Coupon Booklets

Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Coupon Booklets to benefit Texas Children’s Hospitals. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

This October, Taco Cabana will celebrate the Fall season with the return of its beloved, limited-time Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Coupon Booklets, featuring five FREE signature bean & cheese tacos. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

Beginning Friday, September 29, 2023, the Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Coupon Booklets will be available for purchase at all Texas Taco Cabana locations for just $2 while supplies last. This year, all proceeds from the booklet sales will be donated to Dell Children’s Medical Center at Ascension Seton in Austin, TX; Children’s Health in Dallas, TX; El Paso Children’s Hospital in El Paso, TX; Christus Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, TX; and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX. The booklets will be available for purchase in-restaurant only through Tuesday, October 31, 2023, and coupons must be redeemed by Wednesday, November 30, 2023.

“Giving back to the local communities we serve has always been a big part of Brand Taco Cabana since we opened our first TC in San Antonio forty-five years ago. The Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Booklets have become a philanthropic tradition at Taco Cabana and something that so many of our loyal guests look forward to each year. We’re so happy to bring them back for the 2023 Halloween season, and we are even more honored to donate the proceeds to Texas children’s hospitals so that they may continue their life-saving efforts.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana President and Chief Operating Officer

The Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Coupon Booklets must be purchased in-store, and they may be redeemed only in-restaurant or via the drive-thru.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of September 25, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Taco Cabana announces all new Fritos Quesadilla to celebrate National Quesadilla Day

Celebrate National Quesadilla Day with Taco Cabana’s Fritos® Pie Quesadilla. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

In celebration of National Quesadilla Day on September 25, 2023, and to showcase a newly established strategic partnership with PepsiCo®/Frito-Lay®, Taco Cabana will launch its all-new Fritos® Pie Quesadilla for just $6.69 (small) and a Fritos® Pie Taco for just $3.99 at all participating Texas Taco Cabana locations. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

Guests will be able to enjoy a quesadilla made with two flour tortillas filled with melted Jack & Cheddar cheeses, chile con carne, Fritos® corn chips, pico de gallo and jalapeños, and served with a side of queso, as well as a taco with melted Jack & Cheddar cheeses, chile con carne, Fritos® corn chips, pico de gallo and jalapeños served on a freshly made in house flour tortilla.

These delicious additions to the TC menu will be the first culinary items developed as part of an ongoing partnership with PepsiCo® including Frito-Lay® that will allow for many innovative and exciting TC food & beverage creations in the future. The Fritos® Pie Quesadilla and Taco will be released as part of TC’s 45-year anniversary celebrations.

“TC’s commitment to our guests in relation to ongoing culinary innovation is unwavering and with the launch of both a Fritos® Pie Quesadilla and a Fritos® Pie Taco, that guest promise continues our tradition.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana’s President and Chief Operating Officer.

Guests 21 years of age or older may also enjoy the limited-time TC45 Vodkarita, made with Tito’s® Handmade Vodka and sold in a commemorative 24-ounce yard cup as well as any one of TC’s six refreshing tequila margarita flavors.

The Fritos® Pie Quesadilla and Taco are available through curbside pick up, drive thru, in restaurant, and via mobile order through the My TC! App.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas and a selection of made from scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive thru windows, curbside pick up and delivery. As of September 18, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company owned restaurants in Texas.

Taco Cabana celebrates 45th anniversary with celebration events and menu innovations

Enjoy the all new Frito’s® Pie Quesadilla as part of Taco Cabana’s 45th anniversary celebration next month. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

To commemorate 45 years of flavor and culinary innovation, popular Tex-Mex chain Taco Cabana invites guests to “Paint September Pink” with a month-long celebration. Beginning in September, celebrations will include the launch of TC’s all-new Frito’s® Pie Quesadilla, limited-time Hatch Chile menu items, a limited-time Tito’s® Vodkarita, the return of the TC salsa bar, and more. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

Beginning September 6, 2023, TC will introduce all-new and limited-time menu items, including:

  • New Hatch Chile Smoked Pulled Pork Street Tacos 
  • New Hatch Chile Smoked Pulled Pork Taco  
  • The limited-time TC 45 Vodkarita, made with Tito’s® Handmade Vodka and sold in a commemorative 24-ounce yard cup
  • The all-new BOOM! Triple Chocolate Cookie

The TC celebrations do not stop there. Beginning on National Quesadilla Day (September 25, 2023), guests can enjoy the all-new Fritos® Pie Quesadilla, featuring two flour tortillas filled with melted Jack & Cheddar cheeses, chile con carne, Fritos® corn chips, pico de gallo and jalapeños served with a side of queso. This delicious addition to the TC menu is the first culinary item developed as part of an ongoing partnership with PepsiCo® including Frito-Lay® that will allow for many innovative and exciting TC food and beverage creations in the future.

Rounding out the month, on Thursday, September 21, 2023, Taco Cabana will celebrate its 45-Year Anniversary with TC’s Birthday Fiesta, which will be held at Taco Cabana’s location at 2347 E. Southcross in San Antonio. Open to the public, the TC on Wheels food truck will offer complimentary samples of Hatch Chile Smoked Pulled Pork Street Tacos and TC’s BOOM! Triple Chocolate Cookie. TC fans can also partake in games and giveaways, enjoy live mariachi performances and more, with festivities lasting from 5:30p.m. to 8p.m.

TC’s 45-Year Anniversary offerings can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or online while supplies last.

“The spirit of Mexican-inspired heritage, traditions, recipes and culinary flavors are all rooted in today’s modern TC DNA just as they were when we began 45 years ago. As we celebrate our 45-Year Anniversary and look forward to future growth via franchising, on behalf of everyone at Taco Cabana, I want to thank each loyal and new guest who has been a member of our TC family throughout the years. We would not be where we are today or be able to celebrate this anniversary without our guests. They are our everything.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana President and COO

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas, and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, and delivery. As of August 21, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Carriqui announces new lunch menu and Las Coronelas residency

Carriqui in San Antonio just launched a new lunch menu. Photo: Carriqui, used with permission.

Potluck Hospitality and Carriqui are announcing some exciting new updates at the restaurant where South Texas flavor meets fire. Beloved mariachi group, Mariachi Las Coronelas, will have a residency at the restaurant every Sunday throughout August. In addition to the music residency, Carriqui will launch a lunch menu starting Tuesday, August 8, 2023. The midday menu will feature some familiar favorites like the smoked pecan mole enchiladas, in addition to all the new dishes guests have been requesting, like the new La Fortaleza Burger. (Potluck Hospitality/Carriqui, 2023)

“We are so excited about these new additions at Carriqui. Las Coronelas is a wonderfully talented group of performers and we love the energy they bring to the space when they play at the restaurant.” – Potluck Hospitality CEO Elizabeth Fauerso.

Mariachi Las Coronelas will perform August 13, August 20, and August 27 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. during ‘Smokehouse Sundays’ at Carriqui. Mariachi Las Coronelas is composed of all female performers and directed by founder Vanessa Del Fierro. Some performances of note for the mariachi include From Dusk Till Dawn the Series, Machete, Netflix’s Seis Manos, The Jimmy Kimmel Show with Bill Murray, Will Ferrel’s Funny or Die Music/Comedy Showcase, and SXSW to name a few.

Las Coronelas will only perform at Carriqui on Sundays, but Carriqui’s lunch menu will be available every day. In keeping with Carriqui’s affinity for Texas-style meats drawing flavor from fire in its smokehouse, the restaurant’s lunch menu will feature items like the new Texas Brisket Pastrami on Rye, served with grain  mustard and homemade seasoned chips, and the Pecan Mole Enchiladas, served with Carriqui’s signature smoked achiote chicken, toasted sesame seeds, onion, queso fresco, and rice and beans. Carriqui will also introduce the much anticipated La Fortaleza Burger, as a permanent feature on the lunch menu, made with beef from La Fortaleza and served with cheddar cheese, house pickles, new homemade seasoned chips, and salad. Other favorites that are now available on the lunch menu include the Blackened Fish Tacos, Brisket Tacos, and more.

“The team’s fired up about introducing a dedicated lunch menu at Carriqui. We’ve been listening to our guests’ feedback, and testing recipes as lunch specials and on Smokehouse Sundays – adding the lunch menu is part of our continuous evolution of the restaurant.” – Chef Jaime Gonzalez, General Manager at Carriqui.

During lunch, guests can also enjoy all of Carriqui’s popular margaritas, which are always a featured special and available for half-off all day during Tequila Tuesdays at the restaurant.  New cocktails are also arriving, just in time for this Texas heat – try the new Smoked Pineapple Mojito, Sandía Daiquiri, and Santa Fresca perfect for cooling off on Carriqui’s patio while listening to Mariachi Las Coronelas who will be performing every Sunday during Carriqui’s Smokehouse Sundays.

Founded in 2022, Potluck Hospitality conceives, operates, manages, and partners on culinary and experiential brands in San Antonio, TX. Potluck’s team is made up of chefs, designers, strategists in culture-crafting, brand, and finance that all share a love of food and gathering. Potluck Hospitality’s name pays tribute to memorable experiences with great food, great music, and great company–where everyone has something to contribute.  Being together, sharing meals, and communally experiencing music is elemental to what it means to be human.

Las Coronelas will have an August residency at Carriqui. Photo: Carriqui, used with permission.

Taco Cabana celebrates National Tequila Day

Taco Cabana celebrates National Tequila Day with $6.99 Double Crunch Pizza and Margarita bundle deal. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Starting Friday, July 21, 2023 through Monday, July 24, 2023, in celebration of National Tequila Day (July 24, 2023), Taco Cabana will offer a special bundle deal including any flavor of its popular Double Crunch Pizza and any flavor of its signature frozen margaritas for just $6.99 at all Texas Taco Cabana locations. TC guests can choose from Double Crunch Pizza flavors like Ground Beef, Shredded Chicken or Ghost Pepper Ground Beef and pair it with one of TC’s refreshing margarita flavors – perfect for the sizzling summer season. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

The offer is valid for Friday, July 21, 2023 through Monday, July 24, 2023 only during standard hours of operation at all participating Texas Taco Cabana locations. It does not include TC’s Triple Crunch Pizza.

The Double Crunch Pizza and margarita bundle is available through curbside pick-up, drive-thru, in-restaurant, and via mobile order through the My TC! App.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of July 10, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

 

Useful guide to becoming a better cook

Assorted spices on brown wooden table beside red and white textile. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels, used with permission.

If you want to become a better cook, then you are already taking a positive step towards making happier and healthier meals for your family. Take a look below to find out more.

Collect Skills

Home cooks should try and develop a repertoire of tried-and-tested recipes. It’s important to collect skills as well. When you have mastered everything, you can then apply them to several different recipes.  You should ideally know how to make an omelet, a steak, and a simple pan sauce. Other skills you need to master include making classic gravy and short crust pastry. If you can do this, then the world is your oyster when it comes to your cooking journey.

Emulate Professional Chefs

If you want to become a better cook at home, then you need to try and emulate the professionals. You can usually tell if someone is a good cook or not by simply looking at their kitchen. Everything should have a place and ingredients should be stacked, labelled and finally, organized. Your kitchen should be free from clutter, and you should also have a time plan for when you’re cooking. Not taking the time to read the recipe from start to end is a major mistake. You need to know in advance if you need to be leaving something overnight, so keep that in mind.

Invest in your Equipment

If you have a budget, then spend the whole thing on some new knives. Knives should be comfortable, and they should also have a good weight. Store them in a knife block and never put them in the dishwasher. You should have a large cook’s knife for meal prep and a paring knife for things that require greater control. This is especially the case when it comes to cutting up smaller ingredients. A serrated knife is great if you intend to cut up bread and cake too. If you haven’t got one already, then make sure that you invest in a sharpening steel. This will help you to keep your blades nice and sharp.

Choose Gadgets Wisely

If you go to a professional kitchen, then you won’t find gimmicky gadgets. You will find labor saving appliances, such as spice grinders, food processors, mandolins, and meat thermometers. Micro graters are also great to have. If you want to experiment with cutting gadgets then these fall salad recipes are great, as you can practice cutting up different vegetables with ease.

Taste Everything

You need to taste everything again and again. Sometimes a sprinkling of chili flakes ruins a dish, but other times it saves it. Take care when using salted butter in your recipes as it is very difficult to over season this way. Most chefs will use unsalted butter for this very reason. If you are cooking using a white sauce then white pepper seasons the dish while stopping it from having large black lumps, like you’d get with black pepper. You’ll pick up little tricks as you go, so make sure that you keep this in mind.

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Francis Bogside announces grand opening weekend celebration

Popular modern Irish pub grand opening weekend celebration includes expanded food menu launching this Friday, June 23. Photo: TXTroubleMaker, used with permission.

Francis Bogside is now open in its new location at St. Paul Square and excited to announce its Grand Opening Weekend Celebration with the expansion of its food menu and the launch of brunch service on Sundays and live music. (Francis Bogside, 2023)

The Grand Opening Weekend is set for Friday, June 23 – Sunday June 25, and will include the expanded food menu including fan favorites from its previous location like the SmashBurger, Fish and Chips, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Chicken Wings, Devilled Eggs, Fried Pickles, and more. Brand new menu items include the Cauliflower Parm Pasta, Green Curry with fresh Steamed Rice, Braised Short Ribs, Blackened Shrimp Pasta, Focaccia Deep Dish Pizza, and more.

To celebrate the grand opening, Francis Bogside will also be launching Sunday Brunch Service with Mimosa and Bloody Mary specials, including menu items like Prime Rib, Crab Cakes with Eggs, Seafood Platter and more. Brunch service will kick off on June 25 and be held every Sunday from 12p.m. to 3p.m.

The grand opening celebration will include live music throughout the weekend, including Mike Ryan set to perform on Friday, June 23 from 5p.m. to 8p.m. and Christine Roberts and the So So’s performing from 9p.m. to 2a.m. Yacht Rock will be performing on Saturday, June 24 from 10p.m. to -1a.m.

Grand Opening Weekend: Friday, June 23 – Sunday, June 25
Brunch Service: Sunday, June 25 from 12p.m. to 3p.m.

New Operating Hours (Starting June 23):
• Tuesday through Saturday: 4p.m. to 2a.m.
• Sunday: 12p.m. to 2a.m.
• Closed Mondays

Francis Bogside
1170 E Commerce St. Suite 100
San Antonio, TX 78205

Taco Cabana launches limited time Southwest Ranchero menu items and Breakfast Cabana Bowls

Taco Cabana’s ‘Gigante’ Breakfast Cabana Bowls are available during breakfast hours only. Photo: Taco Cabana

Arriving just in time for summer, Taco Cabana invites guests to enjoy its newest offerings, including the tasty Southwest Ranchero Cabana Bowl® and quesadilla, as well as three all-new “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® and a country sausage breakfast taco. Launched on June 21, 2023, these menu items will be available at all Texas Taco Cabana locations while supplies last. (Taco Cabana, 2023)

TC’s latest culinary innovation – the new “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® – served three different ways with the guests’ choice of new, deliciously seasoned country sausage and egg, chorizo and egg, or all egg served in a signature TC crispy tortilla shell. Each bowl includes seasoned potatoes, refried beans, queso and pico de gallo and will be available for $4.99 each. Those looking for extra flavor and crunch can add two strips of crispy bacon for $1.59.

A seasoned country sausage breakfast taco will also be introduced to the TC menu for $2.19. The “Gigante Breakfast Cabana Bowls®” and country sausage breakfast taco will be available for purchase during breakfast hours only.

TC’s new Southwest Ranchero offerings are a must-try this summer season. The Southwest Ranchero quesadilla consists of two TC flour tortillas filled with grilled Chicken Fajita, ranchero salsa made with black beans and roasted corn, melted Jack & Cheddar cheeses, pico de gallo and served with a side of sour cream and fresh guacamole and is available in two sizes: small for $6.99 and large for $10.99. The Southwest Ranchero Cabana Bowl® is filled with grilled Chicken Fajita, ranchero salsa made with black beans and roasted corn, rice, refried beans, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and sour cream in a crispy tortilla shell available for $8.39.

TC’s new Southwest Ranchero menu items, country sausage breakfast taco and “Gigante” Breakfast Cabana Bowls® can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or online while supplies last.

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Mexican-inspired food including breakfast, lunch and dinner tacos, dozen taco boxes, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, double crunch pizzas, freshly made flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of June 8, 2023, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

“Great-tasting bowls have long been part of our TC menu. We invite everyone to TC to try our bowl variety. We’re proud of our continued culinary innovation and the introduction of these new bowl options and flavors across all of our TC dayparts – breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new seasoned country sausage breakfast taco and ‘Gigante’ Breakfast Cabana Bowl® also provide our guests an additional protein choice for breakfast. Guests have told us that they’re looking for new breakfast options and they’ll be amazed at not only the tastes, but the size of the new breakfast bowls, filled to the tortilla shell rim for just $4.99 each. We call them ‘Gigante’ for a reason.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana President and COO

Diversifying your plate: tips for introducing new foods to your diet

Woman in purple eating. Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels, used with permission.

We often stick to the tried and tested when it comes to our dietary habits. However, opening up your taste buds to new flavors not only broadens your culinary horizons but gives you a range of health benefits. Here are five strategies to break the monotony and introduce new foods to your diet effectively.

Start Small: Embrace Baby Steps

Introducing new foods into your diet can feel like a culinary adventure. To make this journey smooth and enjoyable, it’s essential to start with small servings. Our palate sometimes needs time to adjust to unfamiliar flavors and small portions can make this adjustment period more manageable.

Imagine you’ve stumbled across a tantalizing lamb burgers recipe, and you’re eager to give it a try. Go all-in and prepare a full meal around this new dish; or you could consider starting with just a mini burger or two, pairing them with familiar side dishes. This step-by-step approach allows your taste buds to familiarize themselves with the new flavors gradually, enhancing your chances of developing a liking for the new food.

Pair With Favorites: Use The Trojan Horse Method

Pairing new foods with your all-time favorites can be a smart way to experiment. This technique not only enhances the flavor profile of your dishes but also makes the unfamiliar, more familiar.

You might love your grilled chicken and use it regularly in your salads. So, when introducing a new vegetable like kale, pair it with your grilled chicken salad. The familiar taste of chicken can help mask the bitterness of kale, aiding your taste buds to get accustomed to it.

Explore Cultural Dishes: The World Is Your Oyster

Every culture has a unique culinary repertoire that can open a whole new world of flavors. Exploring international cuisines not only widens your food choices but also exposes you to a range of nutritious options.

Japanese cuisine, for example, is known for its use of seafood and fermented foods that are excellent for gut health. On the other hand, Mediterranean cuisine utilizes a plethora of fresh vegetables, legumes, and olive oil, which are renowned for heart health. So why not try a traditional Greek moussaka or an Indian lentil curry and bring the world to your kitchen?

Engage Your Senses: Make Eating A Mindful Activity

Mindful eating is a powerful strategy to accept new foods. Paying attention to the colors, smells, and textures of your food can enhance your overall eating experience.

Think of it as a sensory exploration. Say, for a new fruit like dragon fruit, observe its vibrant color, feel its leathery skin, smell its fresh aroma, and then take a bite. This sensory engagement can make the unfamiliar food more appealing and enjoyable.

Be Patient: Accept That It’s A Process

The journey of diversifying your plate is a gradual process. It’s completely natural to not like a new food the first time you try it. Research suggests it may take up to 15 times of trying a new food before you develop a liking for it. So, don’t give up on the first try.

Remember, every step you take towards introducing new foods to your diet is a victory. And over time, your palate will grow to appreciate the variety, leading to a more nourishing and satisfying eating experience.

To sum it up, introducing new foods to your diet doesn’t need to be a daunting task. By following these tips, you can gradually expand your culinary landscape, making your meals not just healthier, but also more interesting and enjoyable.

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Tips for improving your cooking skills

Assorted spices on brown wooden table beside red and white textile. Photo: Engin Akyurt/Pexels, used with permission.

Unless you’ve got millions of dollars in the bank, you’ll need to know how to prepare meals. It would be nice if you could eat at restaurants or have your own private chef, but for the vast majority of us, that’s just not possible. To keep your finances in check and to eat well, you’ll need to cook at home on most nights. 

And this chore can be difficult, or straightforward and enjoyable, depending on the extent of your cooking skills. If you know how to cook, then you’ll be in a good position to eat well on most nights. Don’t think your current cooking skills are up to standard? Fear not — there are plenty of ways to improve, as we’ll see below. 

Do It Regularly

You can’t expect to get good at something if you only do it once in a blue moon. Cooking is a skill like anything else: the more you do it, the better you’ll get at it. We all go through periods when we eat out more, or just use the microwave to prepare our meals. But at some point, you’ll need to commit to making your meals — it’s the only way to get better at it. Over time, you’ll find that you’ve actually gotten pretty good at it. 

New Recipes

You won’t improve your cooking skills if you’re making the same couple of dishes over and over again. That approach might make you good at making those specific dishes, but you probably couldn’t call yourself a good cook. A person who’s good in the kitchen can make a wide range of dishes. Not that the new recipes you add to your repertoire have to be overly challenging. They just need to be different. This easy instant pot Chinese pepper steak recipe, for instance, will allow you to bring a touch of Asian flavor to your cooking. It might be easy to make, but it’ll certainly be a big hit with your family.

Critically Taste Your Creations

You can’t know how good your meals are if you’re just passively consuming them. You’ll only know how to improve if you’re tasting your dishes critically. That is to say, you’re eating them consciously, and really thinking about the taste. Did you add too much salt? Could you have used more salt? By developing your sense of taste, you’ll be able to figure out how good your current dishes are, and where you need to improve. 

Find Better Ingredients

This is perhaps the easiest way to improve the quality of your dishes. The quality of your ingredients will have a direct impact on the final product. After all, you can’t expect low-quality ingredients to produce an outstanding meal. Only the best ingredients will do that. There’s a misconception that better ingredients have to cost more, but that’s not always the case — you can get excellent deals on produce from a farmer’s market, for instance. It’s worth reading the ingredients list of the items you buy to ensure that it really is a quality ingredient. 

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