Delicious Recipes for All Tastes and Occasions

Whether you’re trying a new recipe, a quick and easy dinner favorite, or improvising on your own, there are still some golden rules to follow when it comes to cooking.

1. Taste as You Go: When adding basic seasonings like salt, sugar, or pepper, always taste as you go. A good rule for savory recipes is to add a pinch of salt every time you add new ingredients.

2. Herb Time: Add dry herbs at the beginning and fresh herbs at the end. Dry herbs take a while to develop their flavor in a dish, while fresh herbs taste best as they are. Stir them in at the end or even after cooking.

3. Prep First: It’s no surprise that cleaning, chopping, and measuring all of your ingredients before cooking is a smart idea. Keep your prepped ingredients in different bowls or on separate cutting boards so you can access them easily and avoid having to stop and prepare mid-recipe.

4. Add Acid: If your meal is tasting a little flat, try adding some lemon juice or a splash of vinegar. The sourness will add depth to your meal, complementing bitter flavors and brightening others.

5. Know When Not to Follow a Recipe: Everybody’s oven, stove-top, and kitchen appliances are different. If a recipe suggests cooking something for 20 minutes, keep in mind how it should look or smell after (e.g., golden brown) and aim for that instead.