Cornstarch is frequently recommended as a go-to ingredient in cooking for thickening sauces, soups, and gravies. A lot of people don't realize that cornstarch can be used for a lot more than just thickening, though. In this article, we'll look at some inventive uses for cornstarch in food that go beyond its traditional application.
1. Crispy Coatings for Fried Delights:
Using cornstarch to make the crispiest fried foods you've ever tasted is one of the most inventive uses for it in cooking. You can make a remarkably thin and crunchy coating for chicken, fish, or vegetables by combining cornstarch, flour, and a few seasonings. When fried, the cornstarch crust turns a lovely golden brown and forms a delicate, lacy crust.
2. Tenderizes the Meat:
In some dishes, cornstarch can be used to tenderize meat. It facilitates the breakdown of the proteins in tougher meat cuts when used as a marinade, resulting in a more tender and succulent finished product. Simply combine cornstarch with a few acidic ingredients, such as vinegar, soy sauce, and your preferred seasonings, to make a flavorful marinade.
3. Make Silky Custards and Puddings:
The production of velvety custards and puddings depends heavily on cornstarch, despite the fact that it is frequently associated with thickening. In addition to thickening these desserts, cornstarch helps give them a smooth, silky texture. To ensure that your custards and puddings are flawless, it is especially important to prevent the development of lumps.
4. Baking without Gluten:
Cornstarch can be a lifesaver in gluten-free baking for people who are sensitive to gluten. It provides structure and a light texture, making it an excellent replacement for wheat flour in many recipes. Making pancakes, muffins, or bread without gluten can all be done with the aid of cornstarch.
5. Ice Cream with more Creaminess:
If you enjoy making your own ice cream, cornstarch can take your frozen treats to the next level. You can replicate the smoother, creamier texture of your favorite ice cream parlor's concoction by sprinkling a tiny bit of cornstarch into your ice cream base.
6. Binding Ingredients for Burgers and Meatballs:
In order to hold the ingredients together while making meatballs or burgers, cornstarch can function as a binder. It makes the finished product more cohesive and juicy by preventing your meat mixture from disintegrating while cooking.
7. Improves Stir-fries and Sautés:
Cornstarch, a key component of stir-fry sauces, plays a significant role in Chinese and Asian cuisine. In order to coat your ingredients without making them overly saucy, it thins the sauce just enough. This method produces glossy, flavorful stir-fries that your family or guests will love.
8. Fruit Pie Toppings:
Fruit pie fillings require cornstarch as a necessary component. It thickens the fruit juices that are released, such as those from apples, berries, and cherries, producing a luscious, gooey filling that maintains its shape when you cut into your pie. Dried-up fruit pies will be no more.
Even though cornstarch is unquestionably a superb thickening agent in cooking, its versatility extends far beyond that particular use. Cornstarch is a truly brilliant ingredient with a wide range of culinary uses, from making fried foods crispier to improving the texture of baked goods, from making creamy custards to making meat more tender. The next time you reach for the cornstarch box in your kitchen, think about these inventive uses for this extraordinary kitchen essential.