Even experienced cooks make mistakes.
For me, there have been many like over-spicing a chili to the point it was not edible, leaving the sugar out of a quick bread, leaving the egg out of etc etc. You get my drift. If you want to ‘nail’ your recipe every time, try this simple strategy: Read your recipe carefully before you start making it. It will help you avoid common mistakes.
Read Your Recipe Carefully
It’s super smart to take 10-15 minutes to read over your recipe every time you cook something for the first time. Even if you’re cooking a recipe you’ve made before, take a few minutes to review the ingredients, the preparation steps, the cooking time and temperature. Why? Because it will boost your confidence, reduce your stress, and more-or-less guarantee that your recipe comes out just as it is supposed to.
5 Common Recipe Mistakes
- Setting aside too little time to prep the recipe. By thinking through your recipe – prepping the ingredients and cooking steps — you’ll be able to come up with a realistic amount of ‘you-time’ that is needed.
- Missing some of the ingredients. By reviewing and re-reviewing the ingredient list before your shopping trip, you will get home and into your kitchen with everything you need.
- Forgetting to heat the oven in advance. By focusing on the recipe’s cooking steps, the first one typically tells you what temperature you’ll need to set your oven. Having it ready wastes less of your time.
- Rushing while adding ingredients and leaving something out. By setting aside enough time to make your recipe, you’ll not need to rush. A relaxed pace almost always leads to cooking success.
- Mis-judging the doneness of your recipe’s meat, poultry, or fish. By owning a meat thermometer and using it, you’ll succeed with cooking to the proper doneness. Here’s a temperature chart to help.
Take Your Time for Recipe Success
Slowing down in the kitchen is a recipe for success. So, tackle a recipe – especially a new one – on a day when you have enough time. Read the recipe, then read it again to make sure you understand everything. Take a trip to the grocery store for your ingredients if you’re missing something. Un-clutter your work space in the kitchen and get started. Cooking homemade recipes can definitely be fun as long as you avoid the common mistakes above.
Mediterranean cuisine opens up a world of flavor and our handy menus and recipes help you bring it into your own kitchen. Grab your free Mediterranean meals report today! Happy cooking!