Daniel Pfyl, hospitality management lecturer at Otago Polytechnic, shares some professional techniques to make your cooking easier.
To frost the rim of a cocktail glass and make a simple melon cocktail.
-Use caster sugar, or, for some cocktails, salt. Pink Himalayan rock salt gives a pretty colour.
-Moisten the rim of the glass by rubbing with a cut lemon - don't use too much or it will pick up too much sugar.
-Touch the rim of the glass in a plate of caster sugar - don't push it into the sugar or it will pick up too much sugar.
-Scoop balls from a ripe melon, rock (orange) or honeydew (green).
-Put them in a bowl and marinate with ginger wine and some finely-sliced mint leaves. When ready to serve, pile the balls and marinade in the cocktail glasses.
-Top with sparkling wine.
If you would like to request a particular technique, please let us know.
Write to Tricks of the trade, Editorial Features, Otago Daily Times, PO Box 181, Dunedin, or email odt.features@odt.co.nz with tricks of the trade in the subject line.
To check earlier Trick of the trade columns visit: http://www.odt.co.nz/news/tags/trick-trade
More information on cooking from the Otago Polytechnic can be found on www.otagocookeryl4.blogspot.com