Cooking is an art that requires practice, patience, and precision. Even the most seasoned chefs can make mistakes in the kitchen that can ruin their meals. With the rise of competitive cooking shows, we get a warped perception of the end results of cooking. Skilled and novice chefs alike make simple errors while cooking which result in a poorly executed dish. In this article, we will discuss the seven most common mistakes people make in the kitchen and how to fix them. From burning food to over-salting, we have got you covered.
Using the Wrong Oil for Cooking
When you first start cooking, you might just grab any oil out of your pantry or off the store shelf. My first thought when getting into cooking was, oil is oil! I could not have been more wrong. Choosing the right oil is crucial when it comes to cooking as it has a significant impact on the taste and health of your meals. Each oil has a different smoke point, which is the temperature at which it starts to smoke and burn. If you use the wrong oil for high-heat cooking methods, it can lead to burnt, smoky, and downright unhealthy meals.
How to Fix it:
It's best to use oils with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil for frying, baking, sautéing, and roasting. For dressings, dips, and marinades, use oils with a low smoke point, such as olive oil or flaxseed oil. By choosing the right oil you can enhance the taste and quality of your dishes.
Not Preheating the Pan or Oven
Properly heat up your pan or oven before you start cooking. This step is critical in achieving evenly cooked meals. If you skip preheating your oven and start cooking, it will take longer to and can result in uneven temperatures, ruining the taste of your meal. So take the time to preheat and enjoy a perfectly cooked dish.
How to Fix It:
Preheat your pan or oven for at least 5-10 minutes before cooking. Using a thermometer, measure the temperature of your oven to ensure it is properly preheated. By following these tips, you can improve the quality of your meals and achieve consistent results every time you cook.
Overcrowding the Pan
Overcrowding the pan is a common mistake that can result in unevenly cooked food. When you put too much food in the pan, the temperature drops, and the food starts to steam instead of cooking properly. Items in the middle don’t receive as much heat as those on the outside, even in convection ovens. This often leads to outer foods being overcooked and the foods in the middle of the pan still raw on the inside.
How to Fix It:
Properly space out the food in the pan to allow for even airflow and cooking. If you have a large amount of food to cook, it's better to cook it in batches to ensure that each piece of food has enough space to cook properly.
Not Seasoning Properly
Proper seasoning can enhance the flavor of your dish and take it to the next level. Unfortunately, many people tend to make the mistake of either under-seasoning or over-seasoning their food. Some seasonings require the smallest amount to make a huge difference, while others need to be used heavily to notice them in your food. Experimenting with different seasonings can be a daunting task, but the end results are worth the effort!
How to Fix It:
Taste your food while cooking and before serving. The more often you do this, the better you become at knowing what and how much of a seasoning is missing to lift that plate to the next level. Start off with the simple seasonings like salt, pepper, garlic, and onion before moving on to more complex flavors like saffron, rosemary, and coriander.
Overcooking or Undercooking
Overcooking or undercooking can ruin a dish and make it unappetizing. The only thing worse than sawing your steak into oblivion is cutting into your chicken and having it cluck back at you. Properly cooking your foods is the absolute minimum requirement for becoming a better chef and will do more for your foods than any seasoning ever will.
How to Fix It:
Use a timer and measure temperatures to keep track of the cooking time and avoid overcooking or undercooking your food. This will help you to achieve perfectly cooked meat that is both safe to eat and delicious.
Over-Salting
Over-salting is a common mistake that can ruin the flavor of a dish and make it inedible.
How to Fix It:
When cooking, add salt gradually and taste the dish often to ensure that it's not overly salty. Using alternative seasonings such as lemon juice, garlic, or vinegar can also help to enhance the flavor of your dish without relying solely on salt. By following these simple tips, you can achieve the perfect balance of flavors and create delicious meals that everyone will enjoy.
Ignoring the Recipe
Ignoring the recipe can have disastrous results in the kitchen. Recipes are designed to create specific dishes, and altering them can lead to unexpected outcomes.
How to Fix It:
Follow the recipe closely, especially when cooking something new. Making notes and adjustments for future reference can also be helpful. By following the recipe and making adjustments when necessary, you can create delicious meals that are sure to impress.
By avoiding these common mistakes in the kitchen and following the tips provided, you can become a better cook and enjoy delicious meals every time you cook. Cooking is a skill that takes time and effort to master, but with practice, anyone can become a great cook.