KotiChef

Essential Techniques

Build a strong foundation with fundamental cooking techniques and kitchen organization.

In this section we:

1Master fundamental knife skills with video guides
2Learn professional kitchen organization (mise en place)
3Practice cooking methods from sautéing to braising

Available Lessons

Building Flavor Layers: Aromatics to Spices

Learn the universal culinary sequence of layering aromatics, spices, and liquids that creates depth in cuisines worldwide, not just in curry.

20 minutes
Building Flavor Layers: Aromatics to Spices

Heat Control: Mastering Temperature for Cooking Excellence

Learn to master heat control—the critical skill that separates novice from skilled cooks. Discover how to select proper cooking temperatures, manage heat recovery, and understand carryover cooking to transform your meals from inconsistent to exceptional.

10 minutes
Heat Control: Mastering Temperature for Cooking Excellence

Mise en Place - Setting up Before Cooking

Discover how mise en place transforms chaotic cooking into a calm, enjoyable experience. This fundamental preparation approach will make your daily cooking faster, less stressful, and more successful.

15 minutes
Mise en Place - Setting up Before Cooking

Simmering: The Gentle Art of Controlled Heat

Simmering is the cooking technique that unlocks deep flavors and perfect textures through gentle, controlled heat. Discover why a proper simmer matters and how to achieve it consistently.

10 minutes
Simmering: The Gentle Art of Controlled Heat

Mastering Meat Searing Techniques

Learn the science and techniques behind perfect meat searing. Develop the skills to create restaurant-quality crusts and complex flavors in your home kitchen.

15 minutes
Mastering Meat Searing Techniques

Deglazing: Flavor From the Bottom of Your Pan

Learn how the simple act of adding liquid to a hot pan transforms those stuck-on browned bits into incredible flavor for sauces, soups, and braises - and understand the science that makes it work.

15 minutes
Deglazing: Flavor From the Bottom of Your Pan

Sautéing: Turning Heat to Flavor

Discover why sautéing is crucial for flavor development, how it differs from other cooking methods, and the science behind what makes this technique so effective in creating delicious food.

15 minutes
Sautéing: Turning Heat to Flavor

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